Page 39 of Forced & Owned By the Bratva Boss

Him: Yes.

My eyes widen with horror and my pulse quickens. My suspicions were right after all. My hands tremble, my stomach burning with a mix of anxiety and newfound irritation.

Me: But why? Why didn’t I know about it? And why do it when I was with him?

Him: To make it look real.

My heart sinks down to my stomach.

Me: I could’ve died.

I fight the raging urge to call him an idiot. That doesn’t even come close to all the nasty things I’m holding myself back from saying right now, and when his reply comes, I regret not being rude to him.

Him: But you didn’t. Now tell me, how long will it take to demolish Igor’s empire?

I’m completely horrified, and for the first time, I’m reconsidering what the hell I’ve gotten myself into. There’s no remorse or empathy behind his words. The asshole didn’t even give a shit about my safety when he ordered the attack yesterday. At most, I’d be collateral damage to him.

I rake my fingers through my hair, thinking of what to do next. I can’t keep working for this loser. It’s obvious as fuck he wouldn’t hesitate to kill me alongside Igor when he gets the chance, and I can’t exactly fold my hands and wait until he brings death to my doorstep.

What the hell am I going to do now?

I bite my nails as I think. After a moment, I come to a conclusion that there’s only one possible option. First, I need to distance myself from this mission. And secondly, I need to come clean to Igor.

He’s not going to be happy about it. Hell, he’ll be mad as fuck. But I doubt he’s going to kill me. Even if he does, I’d rather die in Igor’s hands than this bastard’s.

If I have to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea, then I’d rather choose the devil. At least there’s a chance I’ll make it out alive.

I heave a sigh, the weight of my decision resting heavily on my shoulders as I type my last reply, a message I should’ve sent long ago.

Me: I think it was a mistake to work with you. I don’t think I can do this anymore.

Him: You’re not going to get away with this. I’ll find you, and I’ll make you pay.

Fear coats my skin like ice as I read the words on the screen over and over again. It’s not just a threat; it’s a promise, and I know he’ll find me. I know next time he orders an attack, I’ll be his biggest target.

I toss my phone on the bed, even more determined to come clean to Igor regardless of his reaction. Telling him the truth is the only way we’ll be sure to make it out of this alive.

With a heavy sigh, I turn around.

My breath catches as I walk straight into a solid chest.

Warm hands instinctively close around my waist to steady me before I can stumble backward. I push away almost immediately and look up, only to find Igor staring down at me, his broad frame towering over mine.

I don’t know how long he’s been standing there. I don’t know when he got home. I don’t know if he saw the messages on my phone.

My pulse slams violently against my ribs as terror crawls beneath my skin. Every drop of blood drains from my face, leaving me rooted to the spot.

“Igor...”

The whisper leaves my lips before I can stop it.

Chapter Ten

Igor

I’m quiet most of the ride back home.

Sergei keeps his attention on the road while Ruslan scrolls through his phone beside me.