Page 108 of Baby for the Bratva King

I fold my arms over my chest, a smirk toying with my lips. My father is shitting himself on the inside. “Let me guess—I keep quiet about tonight in exchange for my life?”

“Yes,” says my father sternly.

“Deal. I’ll not mention this to anyone, as long as you stay far away from the cameras.” I hitch my arms higher up my chest. “If I see you on my screen again, I open my mouth.”

“That is not a fair deal, Saskia.”

“Is it fair to lie to an entire nation? To only show interest in your daughters when you want something from them?”

“I brought you into this world.”

“Yes, and so did mom, whatever the fuck happened to her.”

“You know what happened.”

“No, I know what you tell me, and most of the time it’s lies.” I uncross my arms, sticking them on my hips. “I leave here in one piece, I forget this night ever happened, and you take a step back from work.”

Silence drifts between us. I know his answer. He’ll never change.

Fear rattles my bones. He could try and bury me again. Unlike Felix, my father isn’t willing to compromise. His way or the highway.

“Very well,” says my father, eerily calm about this situation. He tips his head, looking over my shoulder to where men are standing, guarding the gates.

He snaps his finger once and two of them disappear through the gates.

I glance over my shoulder, intrigued and fucking terrified.

“No!” screams a girl as she’s forced through the gates.

I narrow my eyes, watching the struggling figure try and wrestle off the men—both double her size.

She inhales a sharp breath, preparing to scream louder, but they shove something in her mouth. She roars against the blocker, and I feel the agonizing terror in her voice through my bones.

Suddenly, it hits me before she enters the light.

“Fleur!” I sob, tears welling in my eyes.

I turn around with enough anger to beat the living shit out of my father, but he catches my wrists, pinning them above my head.

He brings me close, and for the first time, I see his face underneath the hood. He’s hatred in human form.

He’s why I hated myself for so long.

“Let’s try this again, sweetheart.” His breath is a mix of tar and mold. All that money and he can’t spare two minutes in the morning to brush his teeth. “You and Fleur both leave here in one piece, as long as you do as I say.”

“And what is that?”

“No more promiscuous dancing. You bring shame on this family with those videos.”

“We’re not a family.”

“Maybe not.” My father tugs on me harder. “But you can still show some respect for the person who raised you, who brought you into this world.”

And what a terrific job he did of it.

“Open your mouth by all means, but I will know about it. And your sister will be the one who pays for your sins.”

29