All Chapters of Keeping my Mafia Husband : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

“I’ll call Niko to come get you.” Aleksei slips a hand toward his pocket, but I lunge forward without thinking. I shove his hand away and dip mine in, gripping for the phone, determined to keep it until we’re done talking.But when I pull back, both the phone and a scrap of fabric come out with me.For once, Aleksei’s eyes widen.I dart out of reach as he snaps forward, trying to grab them back. Heart thundering, I circle to the other side of the bed, keeping my gaze on him in case he lunges again.He doesn’t. He straightens instead, composure sliding back into place like it never left. Both hands sink into his pockets, and his dark eyes pin me in place.“What are you doing, little bunny?” He asks with such quiet, lethal intensity, a shiver runs through me, my knees weak, as if expecting him to hurl something across the room at me. “That’s my phone you’re holding. Not a toy.”My hand trembles, but I lift the fabric higher. “What’s this?” my voice shakes, giving me away, chest pounding

They take us away. Like Katya told me to do, I don't fight. They bark at us constantly, shoving me so hard I nearly stumble, and they just laugh, jeering behind their masks. We arrive at what looks like an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere. I see only dead grass and trees stretching for miles, brittle stalks flying in the air.I can't hear what they're saying as the one behind me shoves me again toward the open iron door that groans on rusted hinges. No matter how hard I try, I can't stop shaking, my heart hammering against my ribs, and I swear I'm about to faint. They speak Russian, it sounds so harsh it's scraping my ears, and I don't understand what's happening. What do they want! My eyes search for and find Katya often, it's the only way I can reassure myself that I'm not alone in this.Katya speaks to them, and whatever she says doesn't appease them at all. "I will give you money if that's what you want," she says, still calm despite the gun barrels pointed our way. "

The skull guy from earlier comes into the room, the door clanging as it opens. He's still wearing the skull mask and he stands there watching us. Everything about him makes my skin crawl. He's wearing all black with a lion print jacket, and his hand stays on the door for a moment before he strides in.Thankfully he doesn't go behind me and instead half-sits on the table. "I got a reply so fast," he chuckles, his voice muffled behind the mask. "Apparently one of you is very important to Zver."Zver. My heart skips. There are only two people who call Aleksei by that title: his men and his enemies. This guy is without a doubt looking to get something from Aleksei. Well duh, Claire, I want to smack myself. Of course it's all about him. I don't know what I was thinking, that they were just normal kidnappers looking for a ransom. No, this is the turf war that Aleksei has going on, as much as I've managed to research anyway. I don't know the rules, but I understand how the Mafia world seems

Niko leads me by the hand out of the forest into a wide clearing where two black vans and several cars are parked. Men dressed like him stand guard, rifles raised as they sweep the fields and tree line. When they spot us, their guns snap in our direction before lowering again. Even after Niko lifts his hand to signal them, their bodies stay tense, keyed up for another threat.Relief loosens my chest. They must be Aleksei’s men. A sigh slips out, but I don’t let myself fully relax. Not yet. Not until I’m behind walls and locked doors. I used to believe the Drognov estate was my prison, now I know it shielded me from horrors like this.Niko strides toward a soldier with a thick beard and steady brown eyes, the only one without headgear, and exchanges quick words. After hearing the man’s reply, he glances at me, then down at our joined hands.His face doesn’t give anything away, but I can feel his discomfort in the taut silence between us. Still, I can’t let go. My grip has turned into a

Katya doesn’t drop the act. She’s sprawled on my bed, trembling with a fake fever. I smile at my reflection in the bathroom mirror as I wring out the small white towel. When I return, I sit beside her and press the cool cloth to her forehead. Her skin is warm, but far from burning. I make sure my expression stays gentle, dutiful. “Feeling better now?” I ask. Her eyes flutter open. “I know this is unbecoming,” she whispers, teeth chattering on cue. “I should go to my room before Claire finds me here and makes a fuss again.” A test. She wants to see where my priorities lie. I smooth the towel against her temple. “You nursed me when I was wounded. Now it’s my turn.” Her hand closes over mine. “I’m sorry.” That practiced look, eyes wet with false regret, the same one she'd used since I met her. “I know why you wanted nothing to do with me. I betrayed you. I stole your control. But I only did what your father ordered. You know I can't go against him. He owns me. But now he's promised me