Page 70 of The Russian's Stalked Bride
Before she can squirm too far, Cesare tightens his grip on her arm, making her wince. I grit my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t crack.
“Let her go.”
“Tempting,” Carlo muses, chuckling to himself. “But you don’t get to make demands here.”
Even if I should be focusing on Carlo and the gun between us, I quickly scan Mila, checking for any injuries. Though, despite her fear, she looks mostly unharmed. That, I can work with.
“If you need to take anyone, then take me,” I say, voice clear and unwavering.
Carlo glances between us, then he gives a false look of sympathy. “How touching.”
His flippant attitude, along with his arrogance, makes me see red. I wish my fist could be in his mouth already.
But I have to think this through. For Mila’s sake, I have to use my head and tread as lightly as I can.
“I mean it.”
“Too bad this was never about you,” he taunts, giving his gun an idle shake. “This is about taking back what belongs to us, and forcing you to watch.”
She never belonged to them, and she never will.
After everything they’ve put her through already, I’ll tear this whole place down before I let them take her.
Chapter 26 - Mila
At one point, I thought I knew what true fear was.
I felt it whenever some sort of deal fell through for Dad when he was alive, or whenever Carlo was in a mood after not getting the approval he wanted more than anything. I thought I felt it that day I ran.
But now, I know it can get so much worse, and it can hurt like a physical blow.
Cesare’s grip on me burns, unrelenting, while his fingers dig in hard enough to leave marks that will surely bruise. Carlo stands between Ivan and us with his suffocating presence, weapon poised, should any wrong move be made.
As much as they were likely expecting Ivan to storm in with more than his fair share of weapons, he stands at the other end with nothing in his hands. While I know he always has something concealed on him, he doesn’t have it ready.
He’s here to comply for as long as he can, even while it puts him at risk.
Holding his gaze, I find so many emotions within it. The quiet concern, fury, and carefully measured control all blend into one, but it will only last for so long before it all cracks completely.
“No one has to get hurt here,” Ivan tells them, calm despite everything. I know it’s taking everything he has to not lash out. “Don’t take this out on Mila.”
Carlo laughs. “What, you think we’d be stupid enough to shoot her…our one asset?”
The way he says it makes my blood run cold, but it shouldn’t be surprising by now. I already knew exactly how they saw me some time ago.
“I think you’re desperate,” Ivan returns, not even blinking.
From the way Carlo’s shoulders tighten fractionally, it’s obvious a nerve has been struck. His mocking tone slips altogether.
In a surprising beat of silence, he takes a step back, looking back at me, then towards Ivan again. “You seem very invested, Ivan. Why is that?”
Ivan’s jaw tightens further. “I have my reasons. Most of all, she doesn’t belong to you.”
Another pause fills the space for a beat, then Carlo’s gaze sharpens while he dissects everything happening here. When he looks back at me, his eyes narrow, and I know far too many thoughts are moving through his mind.
“I see…”
I feel myself clamming up, body tight with far too much tension.
