The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 260

Vivian

Watching Dmitri's van disappear around the corner with Orion and Aveline safely inside, I finally allow myself to exhale. The rescue went smoother than I'd dared hope, but now comes the real work. I turn my attention to the bound woman sitting beside me in our own vehicle, flanked by three of Dmitri's Iron Wolves.

Sera's entire demeanor has transformed since we loaded her into this van. Gone is the manic confidence, the theatrical cruelty she displayed in the warehouse. As we leave the industrial district behind and head toward the winding country roads outside the city, I can see reality setting in behind her eyes. She's no longer the puppet master pulling strings—she's cargo, and she knows it.

Still, she tries to salvage some dignity. "Where the hell are you taking me?" she demands, though her voice lacks its earlier venom. "You do realize the Pakhan and my father are business partners, don't you? You know Nikolai Volkov makes it a point to settle even the smallest debts, right? You lay one finger on me, and you'll all be dead within the week!"

I lean back in my seat, studying her with the same clinical interest a scientist might show a particularly fascinating specimen. "Well, well, well, Sera. I don't think you quite understand your current situation. You still think you're in control here, don't you?"

Her jaw tightens, but I can see the first cracks in her facade.

"You tortured Orion. You terrorized Aveline. You thought you could orchestrate this sick little game and then just... walk away unscathed?" I laugh, and the sound seems to echo ominously in the van's confined space. "How adorably naive."

Sera's expression begins to deflate, reality sinking in like cold water.

I lean forward, close enough to smell her fear. "But here's the thing—you might actually have a chance to survive this nightmare you've created for yourself. Don't mistake this for mercy, though. The only reason you're breathing right now is because you might have value."

Her eyes narrow. "What kind of value?"

"Your dear daddy Charles, of course. You personally? You're worthless. Less than worthless, actually—you're a liability. But if you can tell me about your father's business dealings with the Pakhan, or better yet, if you know anything about Devan and Nikolai's next moves..." I shrug casually. "Maybe—and I stress maybe—you'll prove useful enough to keep alive."

The more I explain her situation, the angrier she becomes. Her face flushes with indignation, and when she speaks, her voice is thick with rage.

"You think I don't know what you people are facing? You think crossing the Pakhan leads to anything but death? Dream on! I'm telling you right now—you're all finished! You're about to face consequences you can't even imagine!" She throws her head back and laughs, the sound bordering on hysteria. "Go ahead and kill me! I'm not even worried anymore! You'll all be joining me soon enough anyway!"

That unhinged smile she gives me sends a chill down my spine, but I maintain my composure. "Is that so?"

Our van gradually slows as we reach a desolate stretch of hillside. Wild grass grows thick and untamed here, and the nearest house is miles away. The moon hangs cold and distant overhead, casting everything in silver shadows.

I glance around approvingly. "Perfect. This will do nicely."

The Iron Wolves exit the vehicle first, and I hear them moving around to the back. Sera's hands are still zip-tied behind her back, but she starts to panic as she realizes where we've brought her.

"What are you doing? Why did you bring me here?"

I smile as I grab her arm and haul her out of the van. "Didn't Aveline mention something about you paying a price? Come on, let's not keep the boys waiting."

Sera stumbles as her feet hit the uneven ground, her legs shaky with fear. The Iron Wolves have retrieved shovels from the back of the van and are already selecting a spot in the soft earth.

She leans against the van for support, her face pale in the moonlight. "You can't be serious. You know what you're doing here? If the Pakhan finds out how you treated me, you're all dead men!"

The Iron Wolves ignore her completely, their shovels biting into the earth with methodical rhythm. These aren't men who frighten easily—they've done this before.

I casually pick up a handful of dark soil, letting it run through my fingers before sprinkling it onto Sera's designer clothes. "You know, burial traditions have really evolved over the years. But there's something to be said for the classic approach—fresh earth, quiet countryside, no one around for miles to hear anything unpleasant."

Sera stares at me with growing horror, then at the men digging her grave. "Look, I know what you want, but I'm just a small fish! I don't know anything about my father's business dealings! I sure as hell don't know about his connections with the Pakhan! Even if you bury me alive, I can't tell you what I don't know! I honestly have no clue about any of that world!"

I study her carefully, noting the genuine panic in her voice. She might actually be telling the truth about being kept in the dark. But I'm not ready to give up yet—there has to be some leverage here.

I signal for the Iron Wolves to pause their digging, then walk back toward the van. "You know what? I just remembered I have some urgent business to handle back in the city. This woman is all yours, gentlemen."

Sera's eyes go wide with terror. "What? You're leaving me alone with them?"

The Iron Wolves look up from their half-dug hole, then exchange glances with each other before looking at me with expressions that make my skin crawl. These are men who've been deprived of female company for far too long, men who see opportunity in isolation.

One of them, a particularly nasty piece of work with scars covering half his face, grins at Sera before looking back at me. "When you say 'all yours,' boss lady, does that mean we can... have some fun with her before we finish the job?"

I make a show of looking annoyed, waving my hand dismissively. "I don't want to hear the details. I'll be long gone anyway—do whatever you want. Just make it quick when you're done, and bury her deep. Don't leave any evidence."

I start walking toward the driver's seat, stepping on the gas pedal to rev the engine menacingly. Sera scrambles away from the van in panic as I pretend to prepare to leave.

"Wait! Wait!" she screams, her voice cracking with desperation. "I just remembered something!"

I keep my hand on the gear shift, not even bothering to look at her. "Too late. And besides, how do I know you're not just making something up to save your skin?"

Sera struggles against her restraints, trying to keep the Iron Wolves at bay while addressing me frantically. "I know where the Pakhan is! He's in New York right now! I know exactly where he's staying! If you don't believe me, you can keep me locked up while you verify it, but please—" Her voice breaks. "Please don't leave me alone with them."

I let my foot off the gas and step out of the van, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. "Well, well. Now you finally have a reason for me not to kill you immediately."