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They lead me to a corner where a man sits, dominating the space around him, making it clear he's the leader. Radu Popescu—I've heard of him. Tall with a thick, salt-and-pepper beard, his dark eyes are cold and calculating. His fingers are adorned with chunky gold rings, one for each of his exploits, no doubt.
"Samuil," he greets in a deep voice, thick with a Romanian accent. "Have a seat."
I settle into the chair opposite him, my posture relaxed but my senses on high alert. The game is afoot, and the outcome remains to be seen.
Radu reclines in his chair, swirling his glass of amber liquid. "Ah, Samuil, let us talk about the matter at hand, yes? Your little bird, Anastasia. A fighter, like her brother."
I nod, leaning forward on my knees, fingers steepled. "She's not to be involved. I've made that clear. We've settled our scores."
Radu chuckles, a low and menacing sound. "You think it's as simple as that? She poses a threat, that girl. And not just in the ring."
"She's out of the match. What more do you want?" My patience wears thin, but I keep my voice even.
"It's not just about the match, Samuil. The girl is symbolic. A sign of your Bratva's weakening hold." His smile is wolfish, a predator about to strike. "You think taking her out of that fight will save her? Our grievances run deeper than that."
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Explain."
He leans in closer and I can smell the strong odor of whiskey on his breath. "A few months back, your Bratva struck a deal with us, remember? We thought it was in good faith, but we soon found out the Antonov-Nicolaevich were better negotiators. By the time we realized we'd been had, it was too late."
"And now you're out for blood. For revenge."
Radu nods, smirking. "Precisely. We lost a lot of money because of that deal. Money that was supposed to secure the futures of our children, our families. Do you know what it's like to promise something and then not be able to deliver?"
I don't respond, just watch him closely, waiting.
"We want to make you feel the same loss and betrayal we felt. And what better way than by taking one of your own?" His gaze narrows on me, sharp and calculating.
"Ana has nothing to do with the deals between our families. She's innocent in this," I hiss.
"Innocent? No one is innocent in this world, Samuil. Not you, not me, and certainly not Anastasia Zaitsev." His tone is mocking, and I feel a surge of anger.
The realization hits me hard. "This was a trap."
Radu chuckles again. "You're quicker than I gave you credit for. Yes, we wanted you here, with us. A valuable bargaining chip. You see, we don't just want our money back. We want you to know what it feels like to lose something precious."
I flex my fingers, itching to make a move, but I know the odds are not in my favor. I need to tread carefully if I'm to get out of this with Ana safe.
Radu leans back, sipping his drink, watching me intently. "Now, let's discuss the terms of your stay, shall we?"
Radu smirks as he stands and circles the room, observing the lavish tapestries hanging on the walls. "You see, Samuil, your move has posed quite a problem for us. We've put a lot of moneyon our fighter to win. With Ana out of the picture, those odds are now skewed."
I lean back in my chair. "Well, that's unfortunate for you, isn't it? She's not fighting. You won't get your little spectacle."
Radu stops, his eyes locked onto mine, a predatory glint in them. "We have ways of ensuring she fights."
I raise an eyebrow. "What are you planning, Radu? Threats? Bribery?"
A smile plays on his lips, and he takes a long sip from his glass. "Let's just say that we have certain persuasive techniques."
I grit my teeth, trying to keep my temper in check. "You touch her, and I'll make sure you regret it."
His laughter fills the room, a harsh, grating sound that sends a chill down my spine. "You're in no position to make threats, Samuil. Look around you. You're outnumbered."
The other Romanians chuckle, their dark eyes watching me intently, ready to move at Radu's signal. I'm acutely aware of the danger, but I refuse to let them see my fear.
Radu suddenly leans close, his face inches from mine, his hot breath on my cheek. "If Ana doesn't fight, it won't end well for you."
His words hang in the air. I feel my pulse quicken, my heart beating faster. "She won't fight just to entertain your twisted games."
