Page 60 of Forced & Owned By the Bratva Boss

I wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him as tightly as I physically can, trying to bury the fear of tomorrow under the certainty of having him here with me tonight.

Chapter Sixteen

Audrey

Three.

That’s how many times I almost turn the car around.

The first time is barely five minutes after I pull out of the mansion gates, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel when I stop at a red light, staring at my reflection in the rearview mirror.

My makeup is flawless. My hair is packed in a neat bun—that’s also flawless. The problem, however, is my expression. I look like someone walking willingly toward her own demise, and maybe I am.

I knew the second Serrano sent me the address this afternoon that I’d gotten myself into some deep shit. For a moment, I considered running to Igor and telling him everything, but I’d been too afraid of how he’d react.

So afraid that I just stood at the center of the room, clenching my phone and blinking to keep myself from crying.

The second time comes when I catch sight of a police cruiser parked outside a gas station. For one reckless second, I imagine slamming on the brakes, marching straight inside, and telling them everything.

About Serrano.

About Emiliano.

And about the mistakes that started with a bruised ego and a twenty-year-old girl’s desperate need for revenge.

But I know better than to do that. The city wouldn’t be run by the mafia if the cops weren’t on their payroll. And even if I did go, what the hell would I tell them?

The fantasy dies almost as quickly as it’s born.

What exactly would I say?

Hello, officer. I’ve been helping a cartel boss destroy one of Miami’s most dangerous bratva organizations because I was angry my ex-boyfriend dumped me.

Yeah.

That’ll go over well.

A bitter laugh slips past my lips before I can stop it.

God.

How did I let it get this bad?

Now I’m at the crossroads of letting myself get hurt or risking my loved ones getting hurt. Maybe both.

My father died a couple years ago and my mother lives somewhere on the outskirts of the city, far away from the cartel and its troubles. Aside from my mom and my best friends Chloe and Matthew, the only other person Serrano could hurt is my younger brother, Simon.

He’s in Manhattan and won’t be coming back to the city until after he graduates from college. He doesn’t know I’m married yet—neither does my mother—and the last thing I want to do is drag them or anyone else into this shithole I’m trapped in.

So being reckless is a luxury I really can’t afford at the moment.

The only option I have now is finding a way to take down Serrano. If I convince him I’m truly working for him now, he may let his guard down enough for me to find something I can use against him.

He’s killed Joaquin already. If he’s not stopped, he’ll kill more people, and both Igor and I could wind up being his victims.

I tighten my grip on the steering wheel until my knuckles pale.

No.