Russian Mobster’s Blackmailed Bride Read Online Free PDF

said with thinly veiled exasperation. “That’s what I said, correct?”
    “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Yakov dipped his head in respect and disappeared.
    Moments later, the chief of police arrived on the balcony. Yakov slid the doors shut, and Anatoly turned to face the man who had become nothing but a lackey in the four years he had held his office.
    “I have a request,” Anatoly said slowly. “I have a woman here whom I found in my casino.”
    “Yes.” Chief Polzin gave a curt nod. “I have already received phone calls from her parents.”
    Anatoly felt his eyebrows begin to rise in shock and quickly schooled his face to blandness. “And your response?”
    “I reminded them that as a visitor to our country, she is subject to all the laws herein.” Polzin looked mildly uncomfortable. “Her father is a very determined man, Mr. Zaretsky. I would imagine he could prove quite stubborn if you choose to hold the woman much longer.”
    “I will hold her as long as I want,” Anatoly said firmly. “Or as long as she holds my attention, I suppose.”
    Polzin nodded. “As you wish.”
    “You will tell her father and her embassy that she is being held by the mafia until she can make restitution for her crimes.” There. That sounded reasonable, didn’t it? Although truthfully Anatoly cared little for whether he was being reasonable. He had decided that he wanted Trisha Copeland. He did not care what barriers there were between him and his desires. He would get what he wanted in much the same way he always did.
    “That will be all,” Anatoly said, dismissing Polzin with a wave of his hand.
    “If I might caution you.”
    Anatoly whipped around, shocked by the chief’s boldness. “Caution me ?”
    “Yes, sir.” Polzin fidgeted. “These Americans can prove to be quite a nuisance. I only suggest caution, sir.”
    “You can suggest it, Polzin.” Anatoly’s tone was frigid. “But I will do as I see fit.”
    “Of course.”
    Polzin left, and Anatoly was alone with his thoughts. Her father was an ocean away. How much trouble could the man really cause?

Chapter Five
    Trisha pressed her back against the carved headboard and pulled her knees up to her chest. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she rested her chin on her knees and sighed. Only a sliver of light peeked through the thick curtains to alleviate the darkness in her room. It felt oppressive, which was appropriate.
    She was disgusted with herself. In fact, she felt ashamed of her behavior. Why had she fallen so thoroughly under Anatoly’s spell? That wasn’t like her. She needed to get out of here and get home.
    Exhaling slowly, Trisha crawled off the bed. She stood up and straightened her spine. Cowering here in this gilded prison was no longer an option. She was done being timid. It was time to take her destiny in hand and make a choice.
    Wishing for some real clothing, Trisha pressed her back to the wall beside the doorway. She held her breath. There was no noise on the other side of the door, but she couldn’t be certain there was no guard posted. She gathered her courage and turned the knob. There was a moment of complete shock when it actually turned. It made no sense for him to shut her inside and then make no effort to keep her there. Maybe he’d grown lax, or thought she didn’t have the courage to escape.
    The hallway was deserted. Moonlight spilled through the windows and bathed the wood floor in pale blue light. She looked for the beefcakes, but the apartment appeared to be deserted. There was no hint of movement and not a sound to be heard. She walked carefully, carrying her heels and placing her bare feet flat on the floor.
    She followed a half remembered route in her mind. She hadn’t paid enough attention when she had entered the apartment with her friends as this had all began. It felt like a million years ago, but in reality it had only been earlier that very afternoon.
    The front door loomed ahead. Trisha quickened her pace, feeling