Page 65 of Obsession of the Bratva

The words coming out of his mouth made me want to slap him. For a brief moment, all I could see was Vera standing in a white dress on the altar beside him. Vera waiting to become someone else’s wife, and the familiar fury returned immediately.

“That sounds like a personal problem, Petrov. I am still not sure why you are here and how I am linked to the whole thing.”

His nostrils flared. “We both know you are lying right now, Romanov. You know perfectly well where she is because I know she’s with you. You either kidnapped her or she ran away with you willingly. But whatever the situation here, I want my bride back.”

The room went silent. Interesting. Very interesting. I had expected accusations and suspicions. I had expected him to be making guesses about Vera’s whereabouts. But I had certainly not expected this level of confidence coming from him. My expression remained neutral. Inside, however, every instinct sharpened.

“Do you?”

“Stop playing games, Romanov. Hand over the girl, and we’ll be good.”

“I enjoy games.” That was a lie, but I didn’t care. I simply needed to get rid of him and return home. I had no desire to deal with all this and that too soon.

“I’m serious, Romanov.”

“So am I, Petrov.”

The silence stretched, and Adrian stepped closer. It was a mistake. A very big mistake. And Viktor shifted again, this time much less subtly. The movement caught Adrian’s attention. Good. Maybe he would finally remember where he was and who he was sitting with.

“I know you took her. You can continue lying to my face, but that won’t change the truth.”

I stared at him. “Alright, for one second, just to humor you, let’s pretend that’s true. Now what?”

His eyes narrowed. “It’s true.”

“Wonderful.” His expression flickered, since clearly that was not the response he had expected. Most people became defensive when accused of kidnapping or hosting and keeping a runaway bride, but I wasn’t most people. “What exactly are you hoping to accomplish here by barging into my office? You and I are not friends, Petrov, and we will never be friends. I owe you nothing.”

His jaw clenched. “You owe me, my fiancée. I want her returned right now, Romanov, or else this would mean nothing but war.”

The possessiveness in his voice made my skin crawl. He wanted her returned like she was property. Like she belonged to him. I wondered if Vera knew he spoke about her that way. Something told me she did know, and she hated him for it, but just didn’t care enough to react to it.

“You should have brought flowers.”

“What?”

“You came into my office making demands. It feels rude not to bring flowers.”

His face reddened, and Viktor coughed suspiciously behind him. I suspected he was hiding amusement. Adrian pointed at me.

“If Vera isn’t back within twenty-four hours—”

I laughed. Actually laughed. The sound cut him off completely, and the look on his face was priceless. “Do you seriously think you’re threatening me?”

“I am threatening you, Romanov. Loud and clear.”

“No. You are too small to be able to threaten me.”

I stood up, and the room immediately changed. Adrian noticed it as well because people always did notice. When sitting down, I was simply another man, but the moment I stood up, I became something else. Something dangerous. I walked slowly around the desk, watching how his confidence weakened with every step.

Good.

At least he possessed some survival instinct. When I stopped in front of him, he had to tilt his head slightly to maintain eye contact.

“You walked into my building,” I spoke quietly. The quietness always frightened people more.

“You came into my office.” I took another step.

His pulse visibly jumped in his throat.