Expose' (Born Bratva Book 3) (15 page)

Kodiak

I venture out of my bedroom and through the maze of hallways to the darkened dungeon. At the bottom of the steps, I take a moment to take in my surroundings. This room is much more than a place to harbor a fugitive, it’s also a playroom of sorts. My father has a bent toward kink and it shows in this area of the mansion that holds all his toys
.
I do my best not to think too much about what he does down here on a regular basis since my mother is the only person he would ever bring down here to play. I shudder and shake my head to clear that thought from my mind.

A large throne-like chair sits in a corner of the room, complete with arm and leg restraints. There’s a Saint Andrews cross, and a section of the wall where a person can be subdued by the manacles protruding from it. My loins stir at the thought of having my Logan strapped against that wall and at my mercy.
All in good time.
A leather chair hangs from the ceiling for the purpose of torturing a victim with edging—bringing them to the point of release only to stop and start over again. It’s a form of control for those of us who crave it as a way of regulating the crazy unpredictable society we’ve set up for ourselves.

I stroll over to my favorite part of this room—the cell. I like the idea of holding a woman captive and having my way with her until she sees things my way—only bars separating us as I taunt her with the fact that she won’t be released until I deem so. I lay back on the cot, smoking and listening for the sound of my father’s hard-soled shoes. He insisted I meet him down here and I must say I’m intrigued with why he’s chosen this as his meeting place. I hear him making his way down the steps and I lean down, crushing the cigarette in the ashtray on the concrete flooring.

“I suppose you’re wondering why I asked you to meet me down here.”

“Yes, sir, what’s up?”

“What’s up,” he says with a smirk, “is the fact that your girlfriend has entered a contest to write an expose’, and I’ll give you three guesses what she’s chosen to write about in this little expose’ of hers.”

I allow my eyes to study the man standing before me in an authoritative stance. His arms are crossed over his broad chest and his feet are spread apart. Even the black suit he’s wearing with the black and white striped shirt beneath it speak of a man who is accustomed to doing business. My father is a man who is used to making life and death decisions in the spur of a moment.

When he sees I’m not giving him an answer he continues speaking. “Your girlfriend is doing her paper on our sect of Bratva.”

“The hell she is,” I hiss, furious if what he says is true. He is rarely wrong in these things, and I trust his instincts more than I do my own.

He continues as if I haven’t spoken, “I don’t think I need to explain to you how detrimental this would be. Her curiosity and the fact that she’s rather naïve could pose problems for us. I certainly don’t want to kill the only woman I’ve seen you take an interest in, but I will. Not only would she be revealing what I consider to be classified information to the community, but to law enforcement and the media as well. I don’t think your girlfriend understands how important it is that she keep her mouth shut. I have decided that it is time she learns.” At that, I scowl as I try to anticipate what he has in mind.

“It’s time for her to get a lesson in how very seriously Bratva takes its privacy. It’s all about respect. Discretion.”

“I’ll take care of this shit, Dad. There will be no expose’.”

We look up when we hear the sound of a woman’s heels making their way down the wooden steps.

“What are you doing down here?” Logan asks me, smiling. It’s my father who answers and when he does the fear is evident in her eyes.

“Have a seat next to my son, and I’ll gladly tell you why we’re down here. There are some things we need to go over. If you’re going to be associated with this family in any way, there are certain rules you must accept without question and follow meticulously. I’m not in the habit of letting just anyone into my inner circle. The fact that my son is so taken with you has given you a privilege other women wouldn’t get – a warning. You will find that I’m not big on warnings, Logan, so I hope you will take this seriously. You would be wise to never mistake my kindness for weakness. I will stop at nothing to protect my family’s Bratva legacy. Do we understand one another?”

I can almost smell the fear radiating off of Logan. I know this little run-in with my father is just what she needs to understand her boundaries. There won’t be any more problems with her. My father has that effect on people—making them see things his way.

Logan

Nothing could have prepared me for a run-in with Glazov. To say he’s intimidating is an understatement. I can hear blood pounding in my ears because my heart is beating so rapidly. The look on his face is one of resolve—killing me, would be no problem. The only thing saving me is his love for his son. His voice cuts through my fear, forcing me back to the present.

“I’ve obtained very troubling news about you, Logan. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Fuck, fuck, fuck, he knows. Not only does he know, he’s going to make me admit it.
I know lying to him will only make things worse. I need to build a bond of trust with this man who holds Kodiak’s and my future in his hands.

“Sir, I’m certain you’re referring to the expose’. I truly don’t think you need to be concerned. I would never want to betray your family, I would only be writing a human interest story.”

“Human interest,” he responds flatly.

“Well, yes,” I say hesitantly.

Glazov gives Kodiak a knowing look and mutters, “Naiveté
and
curiosity. A deadly combination. I see she’s not yet moved into the pool house as you expected. Allow me to assist you.” He returns his attention to me, asking sardonically, “We both know what they say about curiosity don’t we, Logan?” There is no need for him to elaborate; I know exactly what he’s referring to. C
uriosity killed the cat.

His look is downright malevolent. He never moves his unblinking stare from me as he addresses his son. “Come, Kodiak.”

When I move to leave with them, my heart seizes when Glazov slowly shakes his head—no words are needed to convey his message. His chiseled expression says it all. I’m in a lot of trouble right now. His final words when he finally does speak confirm my worst fears and I slowly sit down on the metal cot and fold my hands looking down at my lap. I cringe as I hear the metal clang shut and a key turn in the lock, confirming I won’t be leaving with them.

“Your friend needs some time to think about her circumstances and ponder her future. So she will be a guest of Bratva, here in this room, until I am convinced I can trust her. You may consider yourself under house arrest until further notice, Miss Ludwick – or until you abandon plans for this article and acquiesce to my son’s desire that you reside here. Under my son’s direct supervision, of course.”

The reality of my situation hits me when the two men saunter up the steps, speaking in hushed tones as they go. I lean back against the wall and bend over with my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. At least I had a chance to explain my intentions and I don’t think I’ll be killed for betraying the Bratva. I hope not, anyway. I’ll take a day or two in the dungeon before death, any damn day of the week.

Kodiak

Though I follow my father up those stairs and resist the urge to look back over my shoulder at her, I know she’s gotten off easy. This is only my father’s way of letting her know that, if she’s going to be part of the Glazov family, she must live by the Bratva code. As crazy as it sounds, I see this as a good sign. By virtue of her still being alive, albeit in solitary confinement, my father has accepted my woman. I smile with satisfaction.
My rodstvennaya dusha…

The hours drag by as I wait for nightfall and the chance to sneak back down to the dungeon and see my little captive. I wait until I know the rest of the house is asleep. All I’ve done is toss and turn for hours, knowing she’s all alone in that cell. I quietly pad down to the basement, but not before I grab the bag I filled for her.
Thank God no one can see me taking a care package to my woman in the dungeon. I’d never live down the ribbing from Nikita about how I’ve grown a vagina.

I know every inch of this mansion. The creaks, the crevices and the hidden passages are something I grew up exploring so it won’t be hard to reach the dungeon undetected. Whether Logan’s pissed at me is another matter. She isn’t accustomed to Glazov’s ways and I fully expect that I will be the one suffering her wrath because of it. Unlike other women I’ve been able to manipulate and control in the past, Logan expects to be in control of her life. She’s had to be that way to survive, but it makes her unpredictable. Maybe that’s part of her allure. Though my father is forcing her to stay here, I know her well enough to know that if she doesn’t want to be here, she’ll try to finagle a way out. Somehow I have to get her to understand how dangerous that would be.

Logan’s still awake when I reach the bottom of the steps. Her gaze is hard to read but I can feel her anger from here.
Those bars might just be a good thing.
I still can’t help but be a smart ass and rub in the fact that she’s at my mercy—for now.

“I guess this means you’re moving in, huh?”

“Yeah, Kodiak, I guess it does. What’s the matter, was your conscience weighing heavy on you? Couldn’t sleep?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t sleep because I wasn’t buried in that tight little pussy of yours.”

“After this little stunt? You might never be buried in me again.”

“This is my father’s way of letting you know you’re part of the family now.”

“Charmed, I’m sure.”

I continue my smart ass banter. “The way I see it, Logan, I’m the only ally you have.”

“I beg to differ, she has me as an ally.” My mother’s voice is stern as she cuts her eyes at me where I’m now stretched out on the floor smoking. “I’m so pissed at you and your father right now, Kodiak.”

“Mother, you know how your husband is. He wants Logan here,” I lick my lips for emphasis as I look over at Logan, “and I definitely like having Logan here.”

“Where are the keys to this cell, Kodiak?”
Yep, Mother’s pissed.

I tutt in my mother’s direction. “Oh, no, you’re not getting my ass kicked by Dad. I asked Logan to move in to the pool house with me. Couldn’t make up her mind. This is what happens when dad and I have to make a decision for her.”

I can tell by look on her face that she’s fed up with me. She approaches the bars of the cell and addresses Logan. “I understand your circumstances more than you think – and what you’re feeling is probably very much how I felt about my husband in the beginning. Now, with that said, I’ll have you out of here by tomorrow night, if not by the time the sun comes up. And you might want to take Glazov up on the idea of moving in.”

“I think that’s a good idea, too, Mother.” I chuckle when she glares at me like she wants to rip my head off. She reaches through the bar and gives Logan’s arm a reassuring squeeze before she turns and walks over to me. I smile benignly as I look up at her. I’d bat my eyelashes at her if I didn’t think she’d smack the shit out of me.

She spits her next words out like venom. “I’ll be speaking to your father about this.”

“Please do, no one else can get through to him.”

“Yes, it’s amazing just how much like your father you are in that regard.” She lets out an exasperated sigh and begins to make her way back up the stairs. She stops mid-stride when she hears my voice.

“Hey, mom, seriously, good luck getting through to Dad, because Logan isn’t getting out of that cell until he says so.”

“Oh, don’t you worry son…I’ve got this!”

Now, it isn’t me who’s smirking, it’s Logan. Looks like little Logan has an ally in my mother after all…