2

Captives

How I wished I could sleep that night...!

However, knowing that my brother was in danger in Russia due to a shady business he had gotten into... had me completely on edge.

If only I had known about his dealings earlier, I could have advised him to stop, to find another way to support us.

Mike had always worked hard so that we could live just as well as when our parents were around, and he always said he worked and saved a lot for that. Now that I discovered the origin of our money... if I had found out earlier, we would have sold the house and moved to a smaller, more modest place.

I didn't need to live surrounded by luxuries and comforts; I just wanted to live peacefully and honestly. My brother had always been adventurous, but this was going too far.

"Damn it," I murmured with regret, racking my brain to find a satisfactory solution.

The worst part was that with all the money I had managed to gather, it wasn't enough to free him, and Nikolay might kill him. I couldn't bear that, so I had to think of an agreement to reach with that man, if there was anything besides money that could satisfy him.

Just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine.

When I returned to work, I decided to take a leave of absence for personal matters. In case something bad happened to me, they wouldn't have to worry about me at work, although my boss did care.

He had tried to start a relationship with me, but I didn't think it was a good idea to mix personal and professional life. Besides, he wasn't my type, and now I would never know true love.

Yes, I had had some boyfriends, but things never worked out. Sometimes I thought I was unlucky in finding a partner.

I sighed slowly, wanting to feel everything around me. It was already night; I was sitting on a bench in Central Park, fighting the cold and hugging a briefcase, where I had neatly placed the little money I had managed to get.

Maybe I should have called the police, but I knew from countless movies in my country that if I did that, my brother would die. Although I had the strange feeling that everything I was doing was still useless.

"Margaret," I shivered when I heard his voice behind me.

I turned slowly to face his smug smile and his gleaming eyes fixed on the briefcase. I stood up from the bench and placed the briefcase on it.

Nikolay crouched down, opened the briefcase, and began to count the money.

I swallowed hard. I was lost.

"What are you playing at, Margaret? There's not enough money here..."

"I know, and I'm sorry, but I couldn't get more..."

"I could release half of your brother..." he said in a sinister tone, making me shudder.

I swallowed hard.

"Wait, please," I pleaded, raising both hands. "I'm willing to do anything to set him free. Let's make a deal... Please, I beg you."

"Anything?" he said thoughtfully.

"Yes... Mike is all I have left... Please," I felt like crying already.

Nikolay looked me up and down and licked his lips. I feared what he was going to ask.

It was the first time I knew that I wasn't indifferent to men, that I was attractive and desirable to them. What he didn't know was that I was a virgin. But if I had to lie and risk it for Mike, I would.

"There's something you could do for me, Margaret," he said with a lascivious smile.

"I've already told you I'll do anything," I felt my heart shrinking like a raisin.

"You'll have to marry me," he said seriously, making me catch my breath.

"What?!" Unable to help it, I took a step back.

My body trembled at that possibility. I didn't want to tie myself to a man like him, especially not to settle a debt. What kind of damn deal was that?

"Don't like the idea?" he mocked.

"It's not like I'm crazy!" I expressed my feelings without hesitation, noticing that his gaze had changed a bit. "Tell me it's a joke, please."

He looked colder and more ruthless than before.

"Agreed. You'll work for me in Russia in exchange for Mike's release," he said calmly, clasping his fingers.

I felt relieved and at the same time, with a strange sensation in my stomach, but I didn't pay it much attention. It was madness!

"Alright," I sighed.

"Then, let's go."

Nikolay closed the briefcase, grabbed my arm harshly, and led me toward a black limousine waiting nearby. We both got into the car, and it started moving.

The journey was silent. I knew I was getting into an even worse mess, but I didn't care. I did it for Mike.

I was thinking about him, looking at the night scenery, when Nikolay sat me on his lap and started caressing my legs.

"I'm sorry about this situation, babe," he almost whispered in my ear.

I shivered without thinking.

"I'd like to know you're going to honor your agreement," I said almost accusingly, getting tense.

"I am a man of my word," he said firmly.

"What kind of deal did you make with Mike?" I inquired with concern.

"I don't know if you can handle knowing it..." he looked hesitant for the first time.

"Test me," I said, my heart pounding.

"I am the biggest drug trafficker in Europe," he gestured again by clasping his fingers.

At that moment, surprise overcame me. How could my brother get involved in such shady things? I was starting to get angry with him, and when I had him in front of me, I was going to give him a good scolding.

Nikolay smiled at me and let me sit away from him again. The car stopped, and I realized we were at the airport.

He grabbed my arm again to pull me out of the car, and we boarded a private jet. He fastened my seatbelt as if he didn't trust me, and when he settled in, we flew to Russia.