Stolen By The Bratva Brothers

Chapter 4

ROMAN POV

There were very few things in life that bored me to death, and charity galas happened to be one of them.

I stood near the balcony overlooking the ballroom below, a glass of whiskey resting in my hand as I scanned the crowd.

Politicians, businessmen, and socialites were all freaking liars wrapped in expensive suits and designer dresses.

Everyone here was pretending to be something they weren't. Including us.

The Bratva hadn't attended tonight's charity gala to donate money or to marry. We were here because intelligence suggested one of our enemies would be making contact with a potential ally, and I intended to find out whom.

There's one reason why people can't tell who we are: it's because we like to keep our identity a secret so we can go undercover like this without getting caught, but at the mention of our names, they all shiver and bow before us.

My gaze swept across the ballroom once again; nothing unusual nor suspicious, just rich people smiling through fake teeth.

Then I saw her.

A woman in a deep emerald gown with long silver hair, a striking, elegant posture, and a face that could make a man stare for long.

She moved through the crowd completely unaware of the attention she was attracting, and my eyes couldn't help but follow her.

Not because she was beautiful. At least that was what I told myself.

She was the same lady I met with on my way here, and the problem was where she was heading. She was heading straight towards a restricted hallway.

Straight towards the private meeting room where Viktor and several high-ranking Bratva members were discussing business, and I had no choice but to intervene in an attempt to chat with her.

I can still remember the coolness and softness of her voice. The way she laughed, blushed, and smiled was something I found cute.

I watched her sit at a table, stuffing her face into her food, and my eyes couldn't leave her.

"Seraphina?" Someone called her name.

She turned towards an older man calling her.... Russell Valentine.

Now that got my attention.

The king of the Italian mafia. A man known for keeping secrets. A man known for breaking promises, and apparently..... The father of the woman I'd been watching and maybe admiring.

I stayed where I was, listening attentively.

Years in the Bratva had taught me that information was far more valuable than bullets.

Then Russell kept talking and talking, and the room gradually quieted. Every eye turned towards him, and he smiled.

The kind of smile politicians practiced in mirrors. One that's known to be fake.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is a special night for another reason," he announced.

A strange feeling settled in my gut. I didn't like the look in his eyes, and I didn't like the man either. I would have loved to put a bullet in his head if my father had permitted that.

Beside me, several powerful figures leaned forward, watching him, and Russell continued.

"I would like to formally announce the engagement of my daughter, Seraphina Valentine, with the Moretti son, Levi!"

Applause erupted throughout the ballroom, and my smile instantly disappeared from my face.

Because years ago, Russell Valentine had made a different promise.

A promise involving an alliance. A promise involving the Bratva and a promise he had just shattered along with many others he had broken.

The realization settled heavily in my chest. He hadn't simply announced an engagement; he had declared war.

I immediately pulled out my phone and sent out one message and one sentence across.

'We have a problem'

Three dots appeared, then Viktor, my twin brother, replied.

"Meet me upstairs," I read aloud.

I slid the phone back into my pants before heading out. I found him exactly where I expected.

Standing in a private office overlooking the ballroom as well. His expression was dangerously cold, which showed he already knew.

"Did you hear it?" I asked.

Viktor laughed darkly. "I heard every word"

His knuckles whitened around his glass. "That arrogant bastard."

He cursed, and I felt he was going to smash the wine glass, but nothing came.

"What are you thinking? Because it seems our plans have changed," I said, leaning against the desk.

His eyes drifted towards Seraphina below, watching and studying her like a predator.

"The same thing you're thinking"

No, not the same thing, because what I saw is quite different from what Viktor saw, and it was war.

"Don't," I warned.

His eyes slid toward me coldly. "Don't what? Do you think Dad will let it slide when he finds out we threw a golden opportunity away?"

I sighed loudly, ruffling my hair. We had been searching for an opportunity to get at Russell, and guess this was it.

Viktor wasn't known for patience, unlike me. When he wanted something, he took it no matter the consequences and the bloodshed.

"Bring me the girl?" He commanded.

"Viktor...."

"Bring. Me. The girl!!"

His voice left no room for argument. Because we both understood what this meant.

Taking Seraphina Valentine wasn't merely kidnapping a mafia princess. It was declaring war against her father.

And Viktor intended to do exactly that.

Hours later, the operation unfolded perfectly, almost…. Until she stabbed him in an attempt to escape.

I watched from the shadows as Viktor stormed down the corridor with blood dripping from his hand.

For a second, I almost laughed because the fearless Viktor Bratva had been stabbed by a five-foot-something princess.

He looked murderous. Then I heard running footsteps.

Seraphina appeared around the corner. Her hair looked disheveled, with her breathing hard.

I appeared in front of her, blocking her path, and she bumped into me.

Our gazes met, and for a split second, recognition flashed across her face. The same recognition I'd seen at the gala.

And that's what made the next part difficult because I could have moved; I could have stepped aside and let her run.

Instead....I blocked her path, and she froze.

Then Viktor appeared behind her with his bleeding hand, and he was damn furious.

He reached up and slowly removed his mask before tossing it aside.

I watched realization crash into her as she kept glancing at both of us.

"Don't tell me you were trying to run away from us, princess? Don't you know who we are?" I asked with a mocking smile.

"Welcome to the Bratva world, principessa," Viktor smirked.

Color drained from her face as she finally understood, and for the first time since the gala, Seraphina Valentine looked truly afraid.