Page 41 of Forced Marriage to the Cruel Bratva Pakhan

“Councilman… Whitfield,” I gasp, pulling the name from the gala weeks ago. “He was at a fundraiser. Pavel spoke with him about legislative support.”

It’s true but useless—information Kravin probably already knows, nothing that compromises actual security or operations.

Kravin considers this, then nods slowly. “See, that wasn’t so difficult. Now, who else?”

“I don’t remember names,” I lie, my voice shaking. “I wasn’t paying attention—I was just there as decoration.”

The pliers move to my ring finger.

“Please!” The word escapes before I can stop it.

“Please what?” Kravin pauses, waiting. “Please stop, please show mercy? You need to give me a reason, Mrs. Rudenko. Useful information in exchange for pain avoidance. That’s how this works.”

My mind races through fragments of overheard conversations, searching for something that sounds valuable but won’t actually compromise Pavel’s operations. Names I’ve heard in passing, meetings I wasn’t supposed to notice, details that exist in that gray area between public knowledge and genuine intelligence.

Before I can formulate an answer, the door to the warehouse slams open with explosive force.

Relief and terror collide so forcefully that I can’t breathe.

He came.

Chapter Sixteen - Pavel

The warehouse looms dark against the industrial skyline, exactly where Viktor’s intelligence indicated it would be. Three vehicles position themselves in tactical formation two blocks out, engines killed, teams checking weapons with practiced efficiency.

Mikhail appears beside my window, his expression grim. “Thermal confirms eight hostiles inside, one isolated signature in the southern section. That has to be her.”

Serena alone, surrounded by men who’ve had her for nearly three hours.

The rage that’s been simmering since I saw that first surveillance footage crystallizes into cold, lethal focus.

“Alpha team breaches east entrance on my signal,” I order, checking my weapon one final time. “Bravo takes the western loading bay. I’m going straight through the southern access with primary extraction. Rules of engagement are simple: anyone between me and my wife dies.”

“Pavel.” Mikhail’s tone carries warning. “Kravin will expect you to come in hard. This could be dangerous.”

“I don’t care what he expects.” I exit the vehicle, tactical vest secure, every weapon positioned for immediate access. “If this is a trap, he dies in it along with everyone stupid enough to stand with him.”

The team moves into position with silent coordination, shadows flowing between buildings toward designated entry points. Viktor falls into step beside me, his rifle raised and ready, eyes scanning for threats.

The southern access is a reinforced steel door, locked but not alarmed—arrogance or oversight, either way it works in ourfavor. I signal Viktor, who places a small breaching charge on the hinges.

The explosion is controlled but loud enough to announce our arrival.

We breach hard and fast, the door collapsing inward under combined force. Immediate gunfire greets us from two guards positioned near the entrance—poorly positioned, poorly trained, dead before they can adjust their aim.

I step over their bodies without slowing, moving deeper into the warehouse while my team fans out to neutralize remaining threats. Voices shout in Russian ahead, panic bleeding through attempted coordination.

They weren’t ready for this response time. Nor were they prepared for the full weight of Bratva retaliation to arrive within hours of taking Serena.

Their mistake.

Muzzle flashes illuminate the darkness ahead, bullets sparking off metal supports and concrete pillars. Viktor returns fire with precision, dropping another guard who tried to flank our position. The warehouse erupts into chaos—shouting, screaming, the distinctive crack of assault rifles echoing off industrial walls.

I push through it all with singular focus, following thermal imaging’s indicated path toward where Serena is being held.

A guard emerges from behind stacked crates, weapon raised. I put two rounds center mass before he can acquire his target, already moving past his falling body toward the next obstacle.

The southern section opens into a larger space, and through the smoke and shadows I finally see her.