Bought by the Bratva (Morozov Bratva #17)

Chapter 3 - Abram

Upon entering the auction, I noticed there were many high-profile bidders. Some I knew were part of the underground world, and others weren’t sure of. It’s been just over an hour since my arrival at the underground auction. I’ve had two drinks, scanned every corner, and waited patiently for it to get going.

The lights on the stage lit up as a short stubby man waltzed onto it. His shirt appeared a number or two smaller than it should be. It stretched so tight that I could see patches of skin showing between the buttons.

His thick white beard hung down to his stomach. If he was any shorter, I would have classed him as a dwarf. Although, that wouldn’t be fair as he looked more like a gremlin. As he spoke, I shook my head. His voice sounded like something being dragged over a metal grating.

“Welcome to this magnificent auction.”

I placed my glass on the table to my side and walked closer to the stage for a better view.

“Tonight,” The auctioneer hollered. “We have a fabulous selection of fine art, jewelry, paintings and more. Some I have discovered while on my many adventures. Yet, others have been entered.”

I watched cautiously as he drank a dark liquid, cleared his throat, and continued.

“To help me with these, I have two lovely assistants joining me.” He said, pointing to a well-toned brunette as she stepped onto the stage. Turning to his other side, a large man in a suit joined him. “Well, maybe only one is lovely,” he added, laughing.

The crowd joined him, and the room filled with whispers. “The first item is one of a kind, worn by a prominent figure in history, or so they claim.” Holding up his hand to the woman, she lifted a glass bow holding a necklace with a large green gem in the middle.

“I give you the Empress straight from the temples of India,” he uttered. There were some gasps from the people in the room, and the bidding started.

Stepping back to the table, I finished my whiskey as they moved through the items. These included vases from China from some lost temples. Russian dolls, paintings claimed to be done by a couple of famous painters, and other odds and ends.

Some of the items looked authentic, but I was never intrigued by such things as Alexandr was. After a couple more items, the woman left the stage. The man standing on the auctioneer’s other side also left. “

Now for the final item,” the auctioneer boomed.

I felt sure this had to be the woman, so I moved closer as the man continued to speak.

“We have for you a young woman. She is as exotic as they come, oblivious to our world and stunning beyond comparison.”

I watched as he tilted his head to the man who had moved to the side. The bigger man returned to the stage, pulling a woman with him. I could see she was struggling to pull back as he tugged on the ropes around her hands.

Her skin was pale, and I wondered if she had been fed regularly. The dusty-gold dress she wore hugged her body like a glove. She was a looker of that, I was sure. Glancing around the room, I saw many of the men licking their lips. If she was as innocent as they claimed, she would have been in for a shocking revelation. Yet, I knew better.

Grinning, I watched as the man pulled her to the middle of the stage. She kept her head down all the way there. Her reddish-brown hair hung like a curtain covering her face. Her appearance ticked all the right boxes of what I liked in a woman. I wondered how much research they had done and if they could have bargained on my attendance.

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard the big man cursing at her. Glancing up, I saw her pulled back as she kicked the man in the shins. She was feisty, but I was sure it was part of the act.

He stepped slightly back as he lifted his hand. Bringing it down, he connected her right cheek with force. The slap rang through the building, and her cheek was instantly red. I stepped closer as my anger flared up. No man has the right to hit a woman. She bowed down as a shiver ran through her. I had to breathe in deeply to stay where I was.

The murmurs around me drove my anger even more as some of the men commented on how they were going to ruin her. Clenching my fists, I reminded myself it was all an act. Grinning, I had to admit they have pegged me quite well. They knew which buttons to push to get me to act.

I was intrigued by their accuracy and couldn’t wait to see how things would go. I wondered what else they had planned. Playing along, I started bidding on her. I kept raising each time someone else made a bid. I had to make sure no one else got her.

Once the bidding slowed down, I made a bigger bid than the last guy securing the deal. The men around me sounded upset, but this was how it worked. The big man dragged her off as the woman assistant came and escorted me to the back office. I had to make payment and sign the contract.

Entering the office, the woman closed the door behind me. “Well, then.” The stocky man commented as he sat down behind his desk. Up close, he was uglier than I could have imagined. I swallowed hard as I felt my supper pushing up in my throat. “Please have a seat,” he added, pointing at the empty chair.

I didn’t have time for this; I wanted to sign, take her, and leave. There were too many people present that wouldn’t think twice about taking my head to get her. As I sat down, he continued. “This contract is for ownership of her for one night. It also states you will keep her safe and return her in the morning. Any questions?”

Glancing at the one sheet before me, I nodded as I spoke. “It’s a shame that it’s only for the night.” I took out my pen and pretended to read it as I allowed him to consider my hint. “I’m willing to pay ten times the amount for a permanent purchase,” I added softly.

Looking up, I saw a flickering of doubt in his eyes. He rubbed his chin, glanced around as if checking to see who was listening, and then leaned forward onto his desk. “I’ll take fifteen times the amount and no less,” he demanded.

“You drive a hard bargain,” I said, pushing the paper away.

His smile sent a shiver down my spine as his brown, broken, and crooked teeth were exposed. “Pleasure doing business with you, I assume?” he asked.

“Deal,” I replied.

He quickly typed up another paper and printed it out. “Just sign here,” he said, placing it down before me. Looking at it, I was pleased. There was nothing but, ‘Sold One Girl for Life!” written on it.

After scribbling my signature, I got up and walked to the door. “Good luck with that one,” he called as I left the office. The young woman waited for me in the passage and led me to a private room.

As we walked, I mentally reminded myself to inform Alexandr of the development. He would be extremely pissed if I left him out of the loop. Such a big operation needed his oversight or his approval, at least.

Knowing my brother, the long-term shouldn’t be an issue. Yet, Anton and Akim, on the other hand, will ruin the plans. We had to keep them in the dark. I didn’t know if Alexandr would agree, but I felt it was the only way to get her to open up.

Opening the door and entering slowly, I saw her sitting in a corner. Nadia sat on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. I could see she was ready to jump up and run. But knowing this was their plan, I felt sure she wouldn’t try to escape.

Playing along, I walked slowly as I spoke. “Hi, I’m not going to hurt you.”

She appeared to be shaking slightly, and I wondered if she was cold or if it was part of her innocent look. Taking off my coat, I held it out to her. “Are you cold?” I inquired.

Nadia nodded as she rose to her feet. The redness on her cheek was very prominent and had started swelling. I was sure the hit wasn’t supposed to be that hard, but maybe it was. I placed my jacket around her as I continued. “You are safe, I won’t let anyone hurt you anymore.”

Deep down, I felt a stir in my insides. Yet, all of my instincts were screaming danger at the top of their voices. I knew things could go wrong but was determined to see it through.

Nadia leaned against my chest as we walked out. I was sure there was something between us. But I knew it could never work. Opening the car door, I glanced around, ensuring we weren’t followed. I took her to the nearest hotel as it was past midnight.

I had to let Tasha know what was happening and needed to be a hundred percent sure before I took her to my mansion.

“What are we doing here?” Nadia asked as I stopped.

“There’s something I need to do. We won’t be long,” I said as the valet opened our doors. Walking around the car, I took her hand and led her inside. Tasha had already arranged for a room, and I just collected the key.

Once we were upstairs, I ordered some room service: “A pot of coffee, two cups, some fruit, bagels, a cheese plate, and protein bars, I guess. Oh, and an ice pack, please.” Nadia smiled at me as I spoke over the phone.

“I hope you drink coffee,” I said, placing the phone on its perch. Nadia nodded lightly. “I wasn’t sure if you were hungry, so I ordered some snack foods as well.”

“Yes, I heard, thanks,” she replie,d taking off her shoes.

“You can have a shower and change if you want?” I added, pulling out my cell phone. “I have to make a quick call.”

“No, it’s fine, I’ll wait for room service,” she responded softly.

Nadia sat on the couch as I stepped out on the balcony to make a call. Dailing Tasha’s number, I turned and leaned against the railing. Tasha fiddled with the bottom of the dress she wore. She appeared so innocent, my heart ached for her pain.

I knew the reason she was here. But there was something about her. I just couldn’t put a finger on it.