Forced Bratva Virgin (Tarasov Bratva #2)

Chapter 1 – Madelyn

The automated gates parted, and I drove into the expansive compound surrounded by gorgeous old trees and a driveway that was like a mile long—stretching on forever. This used to be the most tiring part of my morning when I was a kid: sitting in silence in the backseat of the car while our chauffeur, Jake, drove us out of the mansion.

I’d gaze out the window with a bored expression, tired of the same old view. It was magnificent, though. But I was already used to it. It wasn’t like Dad could change the entire landscape every now and then. Even with the kind of money that he had, some things just weren’t necessary.

As my car continued to roll over the driveway, my mind drifted to the happy moments I shared with my dad as a kid. This place had a lot of fun memories, enough to keep me company for a lifetime. The mere thought of a few of them caused my lips to curl up into a smile.

The tiny voice of my three-year-old self echoed in my head as I remembered how I used to play in the garden—how I loved chasing butterflies and would spend hours doing so. Dad helped me catch a lot of them back in the day, and I had a room where I kept them stored in glass jars.

Those butterflies used to be my surrogate companions, the siblings I never had. They helped take my mind off the fact that I was an only child living in a big house with no one my age to play with.

The car rolled to a stop, and at last, I’d finally pulled over outside the colonial-style building with ivy crawling up the walls and pillars. I killed the engine and stretched out a manicured hand, grasping the edge of the rearview. With a slight tug, I adjusted its angle, and the reflection of the driveway behind tilted as the glass pivoted. I let out a soft exhale as my blue eyes met my gaze in the mirror. With a final examination of my looks, I picked up my purse, opened the door, and stepped out of the car.

My heels clicked against the floor as I headed toward the front door: a massive wooden thing with a lion’s head knocker that seemed to be roaring in silence. Gently, I pushed it open and walked into the house.

Dad’s favorite paintings and tapestries adorned the walls, and the floors shone like polished marble, reflecting the chandelier lights hanging off the high ceilings. Plush couches and velvet armchairs were strategically arranged to add ambiance to a blend of old-school elegance and modern luxury.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of grilled chicken and the irresistible scent of creamy melted mac and cheese, which made my stomach growl with anticipation. I knew Rosa was at it again. I recognized that smell and could almost guess what she was making—maybe BBQ ribs, possibly with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. I wasn’t sure. With Rosa, one couldn’t be entirely sure until the meal was served.

Rosa was my dad’s chef, and honestly, her food was one of the things that I missed the most after moving out of the house after college. I made it a point to drop by once a week to check on my dad and also enjoy some of Rosa's delicious food.

“Maddie, sweetheart,” a familiar voice called out softly from behind me.

“Hi, Rosa.” I turned to her, my expression softening as a smile played on my lips.

She looked at me with pride in those eyes that crinkled at the corners, and her cheeks rose, forming tiny crow’s feet that mirrored her happiness. Rosa, even in her mid-forties, was a beauty with an amazing pair of hazel brown eyes that shimmered in the chandelier above. Her signature crisp white apron had a sprinkle of flour dusted over it, hinting that she’d been baking before stepping out to greet me.

“You look amazing, Maddie,” she said, walking closer to embrace me with a gentle hug, taking care to keep her flour-dusted apron away from my dress.

“Thank you, Rosa,” I replied, my cheeks flushing at her compliment. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Yeah, right,” she muttered dismissively, her Mexican accent creeping into her tone.

I chuckled lightly, my mind drifting back to the aroma that had completely enveloped the air. “Jesus, Rosa. This smells really good.” I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, savoring the scent that filled my nose and made my mouth water.

She laughed. “I really miss your praises, you know.”

“And I really miss your cooking.” I let out a sigh, imagining the taste of her food in my mouth. “I ate before coming, but right now, I’m starving.”

Rosa’s whites were revealed as she put her head down with a warm grin. “I’ll fix you something to eat.”

“That’ll be nice, thank you,” I said, “but I need to speak to my father first…. I’ve got news that he’ll like.” The slight pause came when I leaned forward to whisper the last statement in her ear.

“Well, in that case, you’ll find him in his room.” Rosa flashed a smirk at me, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

I mirrored her smile and ascended the sweeping staircase that curved up to the second floor like a ribbon. My heart was racing in anticipation of his reaction. This was going to be fun, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I told him about my achievement. He’d be proud; I knew that to be true.

Drawing in a deep breath, I knocked on his door and then heard his muffled voice from inside. “Come on in, it’s open.”

It creaked with a faint noise as I walked inside, smiling to my ears. “Hi, Dad.”

“Good Lord!” His eyes widened in surprise as he tossed his phone aside and got out of bed. “Maddie, darling, I wasn’t expecting to see you until Friday.” He hugged me like we hadn’t seen each other for months, but I was here last week.

“Dad, it is Friday,” I said, fixing my eyes on him.

He pushed his head back a little with a squint. “It is? Ohh, shit, I’m getting old.”

I laughed, heading over to the table by his window, where I set down my purse. “But you are old, Dad.”

“Oh, please. I’m a father to a beautiful twenty-four-year-old.” He tucked his hands in the pockets of his pants. “I’m not that old.”

My father, Gabriel Brown, was a self-made businessman and a powerhouse in the business world whose name was known in the city of Chicago. He had a reputation for his good looks and big brains. As a wealthy and handsome single man, my father was often a target of unwanted attention, especially from women drawn to his status and riches.

My mother, Ava Everly, passed away when I was little, and my dad never remarried. He’d been single since then despite the many women who’d shown interest in him over the years. My father remained devoted to his work and never seemed to have the time nor the inclination to indulge them in any way.

Most times, people wondered why I was Madelyn Everly, Not Madelyn Brown. But according to my father, my mother descended from a long line of independent women who passed down their last names to all their children. They had signed a prenuptial agreement, which included that I would take on the Everly last name.

“You remind me so much of her,” Dad said, his tone soft and tender. “Your mother.” He stepped forward. “Same shoulder-length blonde hair, same blue eyes. Each time I see you, I see her, you know. It’s like she’s still here with me.” He paused for a moment. “Like she never left.”

“I miss her, too,” I said, and for the next few seconds, silence fell until I broke it. “Let’s not get all gloomy.” My shoulders relaxed as I beamed, handing him a printed paper I’d withdrawn from my purse.

“Uh, what’s this?” He couldn’t help the grin on his lips as his brows knitted in confusion.

I nudged my jaw at the paper in his hand. “Read it.”

“This better be good.”

“Oh, it is.” I wiggled my brows with a mischievous smile plastered on my face

He unfolded it and read out loud, “‘Unraveling the Mysteries of Stem Cell Differentiation: A Study on Cellular Reprogramming.’” It took a few seconds before it clicked in his head. “Wait a second, this is your master’s research.” His head jerked back as if pulled by an invisible string.

“Yes, it is.” I swayed gently to the rhythm of the song playing in my head, barely able to contain my excitement. “My research paper has been nominated for a presentation at the MedFuture Summit.”

“Oh, my God, baby, I am so proud of you.” He spread out his arms and embraced me tightly. Dad kissed my head and wouldn’t let go.

This was a big win for me, considering that the MedFuture Summit was one of the most prominent medical conferences in the world. It was a privilege that they picked my paper. Not to brag, but I put a lot of effort into that research.

“Congratulations, baby girl.” He let go and cupped my face in his palms. “Your mother would be proud. I know I am.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me. “Thanks, Dad.”

“This calls for a celebration,” he declared, dramatically spreading his arms apart. “I’ll throw you the biggest party, the loudest of all….”

Classic Gabriel Brown, always showing off his daughter’s wins no matter how small. I knew what was running through his mind was something elaborate, something so grand it would shake the city. But did I want that? Nah, not really. The last thing I wanted right now was a massive party in my name.

“Dad, that won’t be necessary,” I said amidst chuckles.

“Come on, don’t be such a party pooper.” He tilted his head to the side, shooting me a teasing glance. “You deserve it and more.”

“Maybe,” I replied, trying to be modest. I shrugged. “But I don’t want something grand right now. I can just celebrate with a couple of friends and family.”

“Well, where’s the fun in that?” he sighed. “Fine. Have it your way then.”

My face lit up with a smile. “Thank you.”

He paused, watching me as though he had something else to add. “Are you sure you don’t wanna have a rethink? Because I’ve got more good news.” His brows wiggled at me.

He was definitely up to something, and whatever it was, I had a feeling I’d lose my sanity over it. Now, I was curious.

I squinted as I anticipated his response. “More good news?”

“I see your dedication to medical research. I see your passion.” He subtly clenched a fist to accentuate his words. “And quite frankly, I admire it.”

“Just spit it out already, Dad.” I giggled in an attempt to ease the tension from that suspense.

“Okay, so I’ve been thinking of expanding the business into the medical field….”

“And?” I asked impatiently, my heart racing. It was impossible for me to think straight in this situation; all I wanted was to hear the good news.

All at once, his smile widened. “And I have spoken to my top executives, and we’ve agreed to hire you.”

I was stunned, so stunned that I was unable to say a word.

“We’d like for you to be the company’s head of Research and Development,” he added. “I strongly believe you’re more than capable of helping it grow.”

My palm flew to my mouth in an instant, covering a gasp that came forth. My brows shot up, arching in astonishment, and my lips parted as I whispered a disbelieving, “What?”

“You have proven yourself to be the perfect person for the job, sweetheart, and you have no idea how proud I am of the woman you've become.”

I felt my heart melt at his words, and despite how overwhelmed I was with joy, I was at a loss for words. Stepping forward, I slipped into his warm embrace. “Thank you so much for this opportunity.” I was finally able to speak, my voice barely audible. Inside, I was leaping with joy. Indeed, this was good news, and I was honored to have been chosen for the job. “I won’t let you down. I promise.” My eyes locked on his.

“I know, sweetheart,” he said, kissing my head. “That’s why I believe so much in you.”

I let out an exhale, tightening my hold around him as I sought peace and comfort in the warmth of his embrace.

His phone buzzed on the bed, and I had to withdraw from him. Dad walked over it and answered, “Yes?” Seconds later, his eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. “What?” He sounded upset, and a frown, however subtle, settled on his face. Dad pinched the bridge of his nose, turning away from my gaze. “That Russian,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

He’d obviously just gotten bad news and wasn’t happy about it.

When the call ended, he walked back to me, forcing a smile I could see right through.

“Everything alright?” I asked.

“Yeah. Everything’s fine,” he replied, dismissing the subject.

I knew he didn’t want to talk about it, and I wasn’t going to pry anyway. He’d been a businessman long before I was born, so whatever the situation, I was certain he would handle it.

Dad flashed another smile at me. “Now, where were we?”