Owned By The Bratva King

Trigger warnings: This book contains graphic violence, mature themes, emotional abuse, dark explicit content, and triggering scenes. Reader discretion is advised.

~•~

•Vladimir•

Six years ago,

Vladimir Romanov; 22. Daisy Reynolds; 18

Panic swelled in my chest as the gruesome scene before me unfolded. A dagger, buried deep in someone's heart, seemed to twist further with every passing moment, courtesy of my father's hand. The victim's agonized writhing on the floor ended with a ghastly spurt of blood from their mouth.

I sucked in a sharp, horrified breath. A sickening sense of dread washed over me, and my heart thundered so hard I could hear the beat in my ears.

My papa's animalistic growl filled the air, accompanied by a dark, menacing chuckle. "Watch me, son," he sneered. "Watch and learn how I rip his heart out!"

I shook my head, terrified to witness the brutality. But a firm hand clamped down on my neck, holding it in place. "Watch, Vlad," my older brother, Mikhail, growled in my ear. "And learn. You're a Romanov, after all."

I was a Romanov. My papa used to tell me to hold my head high and to keep my shoulders back, proud of my name as well as the strife my ancestors had been through. I wasn't even certain I was allowed to be proud of anything any longer.

My papa rose, dagger in hand, its blade dripping with blood. He turned to me and extended the dagger to me. "Gouge out his left eye and hand it to me."

A moment of raw fear swept through me, but I refused to let him see. My papa had always told me never to show a single sign of fear.

"I—I can't," I stuttered, shaking my head and avoiding his gaze.

Mikhail's grip on my neck was firm, enough so his hold caused a twinge of pain. "Do it, Vlad," he urged. "You're no longer a boy."

"If you think I'd let you be without carrying out my order now, you're wrong, son. Your girl will have to suffer for it," My papa threatened.

My eyes widened in horror. Daisy. How did he know about her?

"You think I'm unaware of your antics with her?" my papa sneered. "You think I don't know she's the reason you can't prove yourself as a worthy son of a Pakhan?" His rage was palpable, threatening to consume me.

"Daisy has nothing to do with this!" I shouted, breaking free from Mikhail's grip. I turned to my brothers, Mikhail and Dmitri, disappointment and betrayal etched on my face.

"Did you tell him?" They were the only ones who knew about Daisy, the only ones who knew I'd burn down the world for her, even if it meant disobeying my Father whom I respected the most on earth.

My papa's voice cut through my anger. "I have my ways. Your brothers begged me to spare her life, but now you must do as I say. If you don't, you'll see her head on a platter tonight." His words sent a chill down my spine.

I turned to face him, my eyes locked on his. "Don't you dare touch a strand of her hair," I warned, my voice low and menacing.

He didn't flinch, his expression unyielding. Instead, he held out the dagger, his eyes daring me to disobey.

With trembling hands, I took the dagger and approached the man lying in a pool of his own blood. His chest rose and fell in short, ragged gasps, his misty gaze fixed on me as I crouched beside him.

"Please," he begged, spitting out blood. "Don't—"

His words hung in the air as I steeled myself and drove the dagger into his eye, gouging it out. The metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils, and my eyes burned with tears.

My papa's voice cut through my horror. "Good boy!" he exclaimed, clapping behind me.

I stood up, the man's eye clutched in my palm, and turned to face my father. "You promised not to touch Daisy," I reminded him, my eyes fixed on his.

He grinned, his eyes glinting with amusement. "If you prove yourself a true Romanov, then I don't have a deal with her."

I let the dagger slip from my fingers, my thoughts consumed by Daisy. I had to see her, ensure she was safe. I didn't trust my father, and his words only fueled my anxiety.

*****

I rushed out of the house and sped towards Daisy's location in my black sports car. I had just received a call from her, asking us to meet up and I didn't hesitate to rush over. A call from her was all she needs before she sees me rushing to wherever she is.

As I entered her house, I spotted her standing by the window, her slender figure silhouetted against the light. I strode towards her, my long legs eating up the distance.

As I reached her, I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into a tight hug. I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with her intoxicating scent. "I'm here, love," I whispered, placing a soft kiss on her neck.

Daisy didn't respond. Instead, she gently removed my arms and turned to face me. Her emerald green eyes that charmed me were staring right at my soul and I felt my cock stir in spite of the frown on her lips. She was wearing a green dress that contrasts beautifully with her skin, with her hair, and complements her eyes.

As lovely as it is, I'd rather see it discarded on the floor while she bends over the floor and begs me to be gentle for her.

Daisy's mouth opened, then closed, as if she was weighing her words. I could tell she was contemplating whether to share her thoughts.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my hands reaching for her cheeks. "Did something happen while I was away?" My gaze locked onto hers, awaiting her response. Seeing her in despair shattered me.

"Let's break up, Vladimir," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't want this anymore."

My ears rebelled against her words. It couldn't be. Daisy would never ask for a breakup. She knew how much it would destroy me.

I forced a chuckle, trying to sound playful despite the panic rising within me. "Stop joking, Daisy. It's not funny." But her expression remained somber.

"I've found someone else," she said, her words slicing through me like a knife. "He loves me, and I love him too." My world crumbled around me.

"Bullshit!" I snapped, my voice laced with desperation. "That can't be true." I cradled her cheeks, my hands trembling. "You love me, Daisy. You love me just as much as I love you. I'd burn the world for you." Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as my voice cracked with emotion.

Daisy's gaze drifted past me, fixing on something - or someone - behind. I turned to see a young man standing three feet away, his eyes locked on Daisy.

"He's the one," she said behind me, her voice devoid of emotion. "My new boyfriend."

Before I could react, Daisy walked over to the stranger and kissed him, the gesture like a punch to my gut. The world around me crumbled, my chest constricting, making it hard to breathe. I felt like I was suffocating.

As I watched Daisy walk away in another man's arms, I knew my life would never be the same. I gasped for air, my vision blurring. My knees buckled, and I fell to the ground, my eyes fixed on the door. Just as I was about to black out, I saw Daisy turn back, her eyes meeting mine for a fleeting moment before she disappeared out the door.

Then everything went black.