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Nikolai catches me staring at Tatyana. He smirks.
There is a tense silence in the room as various platters of food are placed on the table by Nona and Osip. Maxim is the first to break the silence, “Nikolai, what are you going to do with the girl?”
Maxim completely ignores me. It's as if I don't exist to him.
Nikolai scoffs, “Bratva business.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
Nikolai gives Maxim a sinister look as he explains, "The Outfit has taken over our Bratva territory and left me with no room to operate. That's where Adalina comes in. I'm using her as leverage to reclaim what is rightfully mine."
Tatyana drops her fork upon hearing my name.
Maxim interjects, "And what role does she play in all of this?"
"Adalina is the daughter of a prominent New York mobster and was promised in an arranged marriage to a low-level Outfit boss," Nikolai clarifies. "By taking her, I have a bargaining chip. She's my way of pressuring the Outfit to return my territories. Once they comply, I will return Adalina to them, and they do what they want with her."
Maxim leers at me, his gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and something darker.
"Keep your eyes off her, or I'll gouge them out with my fork!" Nikolai warns him sternly.
Maxim rolls his eyes in response, seemingly unfazed by the threat.
"Speaking of the Outfit, Misha, I received a call from Paul Vincenzio today," Nikolai informs Misha. "They've agreed to distribute our product, return our territories, and allow us to use one of their riverboat casinos for money laundering."
Misha sighs with relief. "And what about the zoning issue with Velvet Handcuffs?"
"They've called off their aldermen who were attempting to rezone the land," Nikolai replies. "The remodeling is progressing well, and we should be able to reopen in 2-3 weeks." He nods towards Tatyana.
Misha smiles, excitement evident in his voice. "I can't wait to see the Vincenzio brothers' faces when they realize Velvet Handcuffs and the Chicago Bratva are back in business."
As I glance up from my plate, I can't help but notice Maxim's persistent gaze fixed upon me. His eyes keep wandering, lingering on my boobs. I try to ignore his unsettling stares and focus on my food, but his scrutiny is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. I find myself longing for Nikolai to follow through on his threat and remove Maxim's eyes.
"Adalina, how are you finding your stay with us?" Nikolai interrupts the silence, attempting to engage me in conversation.
I choose to ignore him, still consumed by anger and resentment.
"I understand that you're anxious to leave, but I promise you that you're safe," Nikolai continues, attempting to reassure me.
"You kidnapped me, Nikolai. How can you expect me to believe that I'm safe when you're keeping me here against my will?" I shoot back, my voice filled with defiance.
"I had no choice. I need you to force the Outfit to meet my demands," Nikolai calmly states, his tone resolute.
I grit my teeth, finding it hard to believe a single word he says. All I can think about is escaping from this place, from him.
"So, Adalina, where are you from?" Maxim asks, leaning towards me with an air of curiosity.
"Maxim, mind your own fucking business. This doesn't concern you," Nikolai snaps, his patience wearing thin.
"I have every right to be involved when a woman is being held against her will," Maxim retorts, his gaze fixed on me.
Maxim winks and offers me an insincere smile. Disgusted, I feel the urge to gag.
"Leave her alone and quit eye fucking her, Maxim. She's engaged," Nikolai intervenes sharply, his voice laced with possessiveness.
"Really?" Maxim's grin widens, clearly unfazed.
"Yes, and I've seen his dick," Tatyana interjects, laughing. "Not very impressive, I must say."
