Claimed by the Bratva: A Dark Mafia Romance (Bratva Brotherhood Book 3) Read online

  “I care for you, Sofia. Dima is a violent and disturbed individual. I won’t let you be passed off to him.”

  Her brow furrows as she stares at me. “I didn’t think anyone cared for me.”

  The desperate need to tell her the truth claws at me. I want her to know how much I care for her—how much I love her. Instead, I clench my jaw. “You’re important to me, Sofia.” It’s the best I can do at this moment. The first place I’m heading once I leave this house is my lawyer’s place. Aleks is the best in the business, and I need some advice.

  Luka has signed a contract to give Sofia to Georgy’s son. I need to know where I stand and how legal this contract is. Considering selling people off is illegal, I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult.

  “He has signed a contract, so I intend to get legal advice.”

  She swallows, and some of the hope dissipates from her eyes. I know she wanted me to say something different. The longing she often looks at me with makes my balls tingle. It doesn’t help that she’s sitting half-naked so close to me.

  “Believe me, Sofia. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  She nods her head and meets my gaze. “When did my father say I was supposed to be going to Miami?”

  I don’t want to panic her, but I also can’t bear lying to her. “Tomorrow evening.”

  Her eyes widen, and the tears return. “So soon?”

  It cuts me up to see her hurting. In a moment of weakness, I move closer to her. I can’t help but bring my hands to her cheeks, cupping them gently.

  She swallows hard, licking her thick, pink lips. Electricity crackles through my veins, touching her like this.

  It’s the first time I’ve been so close to the woman I long for. “Sofia, I will return in the morning for you. I promise.” A stray tear runs down her cheek, and I swipe it away.

  “My father will kill you. He’ll feed you to Amari,” Her voice shakes.

  “I’ll protect you, Sofia.” I shake my head. “He may be pakhan, but I’ve got connections too.”

  Her eyes still brim with tears, and I do something I shouldn’t. I wrap an arm around her back and pull her to me, holding her against my chest. She cries freely against my white shirt.

  It’s beyond wrong that I’m aroused, especially while she is so upset. I can’t help my reactions to her. It’s been torture these past two years. Unable to touch her or cross the line, I’ve longed to cross.

  “Don’t cry, Maliska.” The word baby girl in Russian is out before I can reconsider it. I know it’s wrong to call her that, and she tenses in my arms.

  All I want to do is stay with her and hold her all night, but I can’t. If I’m going to save her from Dima, I need to make my move tonight.

  “I will return in the morning.” I pull away from her, wiping the tears from her face gently. “Be ready to leave with me and pack anything dear to you.”

  As long as everything goes to plan, she will never step foot in this house again. She nods her head in response, and I stand to leave. If I spend too long here, I won’t be able to leave her.

  My heart rate speeds up as her soft hand entwines with mine, stopping me. I glance back at her.

  “Thank you, Miron.” Her eyes hold such adoration as she gazes up at me.

  I grit my teeth, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from taking her right here on this sofa. “You’re welcome.” I pull away from her and walk out of her room without another glance back. Time is of the essence since Luka intends to send her off tomorrow night. I know what I need to do.

  “Miron?” Aleksander squints at me from his front door.

  “I’m sorry for the late hour. I had no choice.” I stare at him, hoping he won’t turn me away. He is my only chance to save Sofia.

  His brow furrows, and he nods his head. “Come in.”

  I step inside as he shuts the door, locking it. “Are you in trouble?”

  “You could say that.” I run a hand through my hair, trying not to dwell too much on what I’m about to do. “Luka is marrying Sofia to Dima Veselov and has signed a contract.” I sigh heavily. “I’m not going to let him.”

  Aleksander’s eyes widen. “He will kill you.”

  I shrug. “I won’t be here when Luka realizes I’ve taken her, but I need to know what legalities are in this contract.” I narrow my eyes. “Will you be able to access it?”

  Aleks stares at me in silence for a while, before nodding. “I can, but I would advise against it.”

  “All due respect, I don’t want advice.”

  He nods his head. “Fair enough. I owe you still, so if you’re calling it in.” He holds his hands up. “I’ll do it.”

  I nod my head. “Thanks.”

  He leads the way into his home, entering his office at the end of the corridor. “Have a seat.” He gestures to the leather chair in front of his desk. My muscles are coiled and tense.

  My heart pounds as I wonder if I’ve made a mistake coming to Aleksander about this. His loyalties lie with the brotherhood, even if he does disapprove of Luka as much as I do. I trust no one in this world.

  Our brotherhood has been my life for as long as I can remember, but Luka has been becoming more difficult to stand by.

  He’s self-centered and cruel. Any man that would subject his daughter to a man like Dima Veselov isn’t worthy of my support.

  I’ve known it for a long while, but Luka has changed in too many ways. A lump forms in my throat as I remember how close we were back in Russia. Once, we had shared the same values and dreams. The power has gone straight to his head.

  “It will take me a few minutes to access the system and find the document.” His brow furrows. “I’m surprised this is the first I’m hearing of it since Luka normally comes to me for contracts.”

  I bite my bottom lip, wondering why Luka didn’t approach Aleksander. Is it possible he already questions my loyalty? Aleksander and I have always been close. My stomach twists with unease as I wonder how clever my pakhan truly is.

  Did he break the news to me and order me to tell Sofia the truth in an attempt to force my hand?

  Aleksander types away at the computer, and I sit waiting. My stomach is a mess. It’s not every day that someone goes against their pakhan and gets away with it. What I’m doing is reckless and could cause a war if I’m not careful.

  My intention to flee to Andrei will flare tensions between the New York brotherhood and the Los Angele brotherhood, solidifying our brotherhood’s place in the feud. It’s my only choice. I’ll abandon everything I know to keep her safe.

  Andrei is the only pakhan I’d trust to help me. He’s also the only pakhan that is far enough away from here to keep us safe. Luka doesn’t have much influence on the east coast.

  Aleks claps his hands. “Found it.”

  I stand and go to stand behind his chair, reading over his shoulder. “Is it bad?”

  Aleks nods his head. “From a legal standpoint, it’s iron fucking clad.” He shakes his head. “Other than the fact they are discussing marrying two girls off against their wills.”

  I sigh heavily. “Can I pull it off, though?”

  He shrugs. “They’ll both come after you for this. Luka and Georgy. I assume you have a plan of where to go.”

  I nod my head, saying nothing more. The less he knows, the better.

  “I wish you would reconsider,” Aleks says.

  I glance at him, narrowing my eyes. “Why?”

  He chuckles and holds up his hands. “Don’t worry. You have nothing to fear from me. I admire your courage, but it’s a death sentence.”

  I run a hand over the back of my neck. “It’s better than subjecting Sofia to Dima. I’ll do anything to keep her away from him.”

  Aleks stands and walks toward a small drinks cabinet, grabbing out an old bottle of vodka. “I think this deserves a toast since it’s probably the last time I’ll ever see you again.”

  I nod my head, accepting a small shot glass of vodka.

  He holds his gl
ass up. “Good luck, brother.”

  I clink my glass against his, before knocking it back. It’s time. I can’t waste another moment. The clock on the wall has struck midnight, which means it’s time for me to set my plan into motion.

  4

  Sofia

  You’re important to me, Sofia.

  Miron’s words repeat over and over in my head as I try to sleep. It’s no use, as I’m too wired from our conversation and the news he broke to me.

  Father summoned him here so that he could break the news to me, knowing I wouldn’t mouth off to Miron. Thank God he did, as Miron isn’t going to allow him to sell me off like that.

  Father has never given much thought to my wellbeing. He has always kept me at arm’s length. When I was little, I used to try and call him Dad, but I’d get punished. He told me to call him father or sir.

  He laughs whenever Yerik harms me, and even so, I’ve tried to love them as my only living family. Signing a contract to promise me to Dima—a rapist and sadist—is a new low. One that makes me realize how blind I’ve been this entire time.

  I assumed that Yerik and my father were keeping up appearances as bratva leaders. They couldn’t treat me softly, as it’s not expected. However, this proves the opposite. They don’t and never have cared for me in any way.

  Miron tells me he will protect me, but I don’t know how. I want to believe him and trust him—the man I’ve loved since I was a teenager. The man I’ve saved myself for, hoping beyond hope, that one day he’d look at me the way I look at him.

  When Miron told me he wasn’t going to let my father give me to Dima, hope flooded me. I’d hoped his actions were fueled by the same feelings I have for him. I thought for a moment that is where the conversation was going, but he was as stoic and dutiful as he ever is.

  He told me he cared for me, but it’s no doubt as an uncle would care for a niece. I hate that is how he sees me, no matter what I do to get his attention. He even seemed unaffected by the lack of clothes I wore in front of him earlier, proving how unattracted to me he is.

  He wouldn’t want a girl like me—too young and immature. Even as I try to tell myself that, my heart doesn’t want to believe it. It clings to a tiny bit of hope.

  All I can think about is seeing him in the morning. I glance over at the clock on my side table, sighing when I see it’s only one o’clock in the morning. The bag he told me to pack is packed and hidden in my walk-in closet.

  My father won’t have the decency to face me until later tomorrow afternoon. At which point, I’ll be long gone with Miron. The thought excites and scares me. Miron may be sovietnik, but him snatching me away will make him a traitor to the brotherhood.

  The danger he will put himself in is beyond anything I can ever imagine. My father will kill him if he tries to stand in the way of Dima and me. The thought of any harm coming to Miron makes me sick to the stomach. He is everything to me, even if he doesn’t know it.

  I shut my eyes, trying desperately to fall to sleep. The quicker I sleep, the sooner I will see the man I’ve secretly loved.

  My eyes flicker open as there is a clink at the window. I jump out of bed and rush over to the window, peering out. My heart skips a beat and I stumble back noticing a ladder.

  It’s not until Miron’s face appears at the window that I relax. He signals for me to open it, and I do so quickly, lifting it to give him enough room to get inside.

  “What are you doing?” I whisper, wondering why he’d sneak back in at this time of night.

  He grunts as he lifts himself in through the window. “Coming to rescue you.”

  I shake my head. “You didn’t say anything about breaking in.”

  He stands to his feet, towering over me.

  I swallow hard at the stern look he gives me.

  “Your father knows I don’t like the arrangement he has made. I can’t risk him catching on.” His jaw tenses as he turns away from me. “Are you packed?”

  “Yes,” I breathe, dashing toward the closet and grabbing my large carryall.

  His eyes widen at the size of it, but he never said to pack light. “Is it too big?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “I’ll be able to handle it, but I’d hoped you would have packed a little lighter.”

  I shrug. “You didn’t tell me how we were getting out of here.” As the daughter to the pakhan of the Los Angeles brotherhood, I’ve been used to getting whatever I want.

  Sure, my father and brother don’t treat me well, but money has been no object in my life. I’m used to being able to buy as many dresses, shoes, and handbags as I want. This case holds everything I favor, but it’s nowhere near to a tenth of the stuff I own.

  Miron approaches me and grabs the handle of the carryall, brushing my fingers as he does. A bolt of electricity pulses through my veins the moment his skin touches mine.

  I draw in a sharp breath and meet his gaze. It sets me on fire the moment I look into his hazel eyes. If I didn’t know him better, I’d say there was a spark of lust. Within moments, it’s covered up with that cold, hard stare.

  I can’t help but let it fuel that tiny ember of hope blazing deep within me. No matter how hard I try to stamp out the idea of us, I never can. It takes one kind glance or smile from him to have it rekindled.

  He picks up the carryall and shrugs it onto his shoulder, before walking toward the window. “I’ll go down first. Once I’m at the bottom, climb the ladder.” His hazel eyes meet mine, and I feel it right to my core.

  I nod my head, relishing the idea of being alone with him soon. Perhaps there’s a chance for us once we are free of my father, if he feels the same way I do. I watch out of the window as he slowly descends, my large carryall slung over his shoulder. It’s impossible not to admire his muscles in his tight, fitted shirt as he strains against the weight.

  I’m not sure I’m truly prepared for this—being alone with the man of my dreams. It’s going to be impossible to keep my urges in check.

  Miron gestures for me to follow, meeting my gaze.

  I swallow hard, realizing that my fear of heights doesn’t help this situation at all. After trying to syke myself up, I force myself out of the window and onto the ladder.

  Heights may not be my strong suit, but I can do this. I make sure I don’t look down and move slowly down the ladder. When I make it to the ground, Miron places his hands on either side of my waist.

  It’s enough to try my whole body into an inferno of heat. “Wait here,” he whispers into my ear.

  I watch as he grabs the ladder and carries it over to the hedging that borders the house. He places it behind the hedges, making sure it is out of sight.

  The longer we can keep the fact I’ve escaped hidden, the better. Miron returns to my side and says nothing.

  He grabs my hand and leads the way from the house quickly. The bag I’ve packed is heavy, but he doesn’t show any signs of struggling as he carries it over his shoulder.

  My stomach twists with both desire and fear. If we get caught, my father will have Miron executed. They may be close, but he wouldn’t accept an act of disobedience like this. My father is unforgiving, and he would feed Miron to Amari without much thought. A shudder runs through me, as I know for he would make me watch.

  It makes getting away safely critical. A snap of a twig breaking has both of us freezing to the spot. Miron drops my hand and carryall, pulling out his pistol, which has a silencer fitted.

  The reality of what we’re doing hits me more keenly. If someone sees us, Miron will kill them. There’s no other option. The thud of footsteps gets nearer and nearer as we remain semi-hidden by the thick trees and bushes around us.

  Miron grabs my arm and forces me behind him. My father has the grounds patrolled regularly. A shadow creeps closer, and the moment the guy comes into view, my heart sinks.

  It’s Vlad, one of my father’s men. He’s a good guy and one of the youngest brothers in my father’s outfit. I wait and hold my breath, hoping that he doesn’t spot
us.

  He walks on, stopping briefly and glancing in the opposite direction. I watch as he continues to walk, grabbing his radio and speaking into it. “All clear on the west side. I’m coming back around.”

  As his footsteps disappear into the distance, my whole body relaxes. “Fuck, that was close,” I say.

  Miron doesn’t speak. Instead, he holds a finger to his lips.

  I realize we’re not out yet. Anything could go wrong between now and getting the fuck off my father’s estate. He’s a paranoid man, and as a result, he has guards patrolling all hours.

  Miron tugs me down a small path the opposite way to the front gate. I don’t question him, knowing he must have another exit. He is one of the smartest men I know. The path winds into the forest on the edge of the estate.

  I shiver as we enter the darkness, wishing we didn’t have to go this way. As a child, I used to hate it when Yerik forced me to go in here. He knew how much it scared me and found it amusing. As I remember the horror of being lost in here, I stop in my tracks.

  Miron grabs my hand. “What’s wrong?” he breathes.

  I shake my head. “These woods… I…” I can’t find the words to explain to him. It would make me look weak and pathetic.

  “Look at me,” he says, setting his hands on either side of my waist. “Trust me, Sofia. I will protect you.” The blaze of heat in his eyes, coupled with his words, makes me melt.

  I nod my head, and he let’s go, entwining his fingers with mine instead. We move together through the thick canopy. A crunch of leaves up ahead has us both freezing again.

  Can’t we get a break?

  Miron yanks me down to the ground with him, holding me close. We are pressed together, lying still on the ground. Our hearts seem to beat together as we wait for the person to walk on.

  Miron’s wraps his fingers around the hilt of his pistol.

  I swallow hard. Miron is accustomed to killing. This is his life and part of what he does.