by V. F. Mason
Yet he risked my child, our child for this!
“Vivian,” he called behind me.
“I have no words for you right now.” Anger and pain still ran deep, and he had to give me the time to deal with them so I wouldn’t strangle him in his sleep.
“I didn't mean for this to happen.” I spun around, sheltering Jake from this with my hand as he already had his eyes closed and was breathing calmly.
“But it did happen. You didn't listen to me. I’m his mom and I’ve been raising him for the last five years, six if you count the pregnancy.” Exhaling a heavy breath, I cast my eyes down, because I couldn't look in his. “Radmir, let’s talk in the morning. We both need to cool off.”
“Okay.” He made no other move, so I went to our rooms, hoping we could have a good conversation in the morning about it. I was mad as hell, but it didn't mean I held a grudge against him.
It was just one of the things we needed to learn how to handle being a new couple.
Director
“What do you mean, you fucking missed?” I shouted into the phone. My hand gripped the golf club tighter while my opponents paused midair with their clubs, giving me curious glances.
Mastering a smile, I covered the phone and murmured to them, “Sorry, a deal went wrong. Continue without me. I’ll be back soon.” With that, I walked soundlessly on the green grass while sweat dripped down my back, plastering my golf shirt to my skin. I wanted nothing else but to stand under a cold shower so it would clear my head.
Instead, a red haze blurred my vision, as I was minutes away from losing my control and doing something stupid.
Taking out the small white box from my pocket, I popped it out and put one pill in my mouth, so the stress would go away. Exhaling a deep breath, I asked, albeit calmly this time, “The bastard still lives?”
“I couldn’t kill the kid,” the hired killer I had found during my last trip to Russia answered, his voice slurring, probably from drinking, as he had love for an expensive cognac.
One, two, three, four, five.
“You told me you followed them to headquarters and had a perfect plan to kill them. How come he’s still alive?” Jake was a liability I didn’t need. The little shit didn’t even try being friendly with me, and Vivian didn’t need him in her life.
“FBI and FSB worked together on this case, and that psycho stole them. I had no chance.”
The screen of the phone cracked in my hands. I reached the end of the field, my eyes studying the water in the lake.
Crystal blue, just like Vivian’s eyes that held so much love and patience for the people around her.
“I will do better next time,” he slurred again, but I disconnected the call, thinking of a way to off him. I had no doubt he would talk.
Looked like my trip to Russia had to be moved forward. And I needed some changes to my plans.
The wait was over. Radmir and his offspring would forever come between me and Vivian, and since she wouldn’t willingly leave them, she left me no choice but to bring her pain.
I needed to get her back to me before the monster inside me awoke and wanted to hurt her. I would hate to see her beautiful face pale and shredded in pieces, lying down on some dump where I usually left them.
Yes, I needed to hurry.
Fury poured from every pore of my body as I pushed open the massive oak doors to Vasya’s office. I walked inside as he spoke on the phone and drank his whiskey. The animal heads and guns scattered all over the walls created an aura of power and distaste, while the red curtains along with the black leather furniture gave off a brothel vibe. I hated his design.
Vasya raised his brows at me and spoke into the phone. “We’ll finish this tomorrow.” With those words, he hung up and leaned into his chair, our stares colliding. “Radmir, where was the knock?” Although amusement peeked through his voice, it was still stone cold. No one had the right to come into his office without his permission, but I didn't give a fuck.
My woman was stolen from me, and he had allowed it. He could go fuck himself with all his rules and traditions.
“Where were you when the FBI came for my woman?” Narrowing his eyes, he threw the glass on the carpet. It rolled under the couch, and he stood up, plastering his palm on his massive, oak table.
He said in a deadly tone, “She was a liability.”
My hands fisted as I snarled, “She is my woman!”
His mocking laughter echoed through the room. “Stop this nonsense, Radmir. She was an American who you screwed for the last two months. I’m not going to have cops sniffing in the brotherhood and creating problems, just because you found a permanent hole to use.”
A red haze of anger blinded me, and with a roar I moved toward him as he gasped in surprise. My hands wrapped around his neck, and I pulled back my arm and punched him square in the face for daring to speak about Vivian like that.
Vasya wasn’t a weakling either. He kicked me hard and delivered a blow to my liver that shot pain through me. He pushed me to the side, but I held on to him tightly so we both tumbled on the floor, smashing several crystal vases as they fell from the table onto the floor.
Heavy footsteps snapped me from my frenzy as strong hands separated us, hauling us up as we both breathed heavily. Dominic held me, his eyes wide in shock as he shook his head, so it probably meant Yuri was behind me.
Of course.
The pakhan’s enforcers to the rescue.
“Let me go,” Vasya ordered, and Dominic immediately responded as the pakhan came closer to me, blood dripping from a forehead wound and his skin darkening under his bruised eye. “Only because you are my nephew, will I spare your life.” A few more members entered the room, and I could hear muttered curses. Vasya grabbed my hair, pulling my head back, and since I had several guns pointed at my head, I couldn't move. Not because I was afraid, but because I didn't want any of those kids to get in the way.
Vasya might be the pakhan.
But I was the one who had raised them and valued their life, probably more than they did.
“You will stay part of the brotherhood. You are no longer a sovietnik. Is that understood by everyone?” he asked the members, and after a beat, they must have nodded, as satisfaction shone in his gaze. “Get him the hell out of here.” He grabbed a tissue, wiping his wound.
“If you think this will stop me from going after my woman, you are mistaken.” My hoarse voice snapped his attention back to me.
“Do whatever you want, Radmir. But you no longer have my protection or my means. You won’t get far without those.”
I would have said more, but Yuri and Dominic urged me outside and closed the door hastily as they surrounded me.
“What the fuck did you do, man?” Dom hissed, running his fingers through his shoulder-length hair. “He is not going to change his mind.”
Pushing their hands away, I flipped my phone open and dialed the number of the one person who would help me in this situation.
Even if Vasya wasn't on my side, Vladimir would never fail me. He owed me one.
“I don’t give a fuck.” Yuri just exhaled a heavy breath at my reply, and finally on the fifth ring, the old man picked up. “Vladimir, help me.”
“With what?” His voice sounded groggy and confused. Was he fucking drinking again?
“I need your plane to get me to the States.”
“What about the Bratva one?”
“I’m no longer a sovietnik.”
Silence met those words as he processed them and the implications of helping me. Once a member was lowered in rank, others tried to spend less time with him if possible, because a close friendship could be considered treason for the pakhan’s decision. I’d still keep my possessions and have access to obsyag, which was the Bratva’s treasure bowl, so to speak. But I no longer held any power in this brotherhood and no one owed me respect.
“Only for you, child,” he finally said. “It’ll be ready in an hour.”
“Thank you.” Hanging up on h
im, I intended to dash to my room to pack a small bag and think about my plan.
But before I left, I needed to make one thing clear.
Spinning around, I faced Yuri, Dominic, Gleb, and Petor who stood by me, and judging by their stubborn expressions, they were ready to follow my anywhere.
“None of you goes with me.”
“We do everything together and stand by each other. That’s what you taught us,” Gleb said, emphasizing each word.
Fuck me and my wisdom sometimes, seriously. I held only Dominic’s stare, because he was the leader among them, and I recognized it. He had a chance of becoming a great pakhan someday, and I knew Vasya loved him as his own son. I wouldn't take this chance away from him or the Bratva. They deserved someone good.
I practically raised him to be that good.
“This is a private matter. I don’t want you in this mess. It’s an order, boys.”
They gritted their teeth but looked expectantly at Dominic, who held my stare for several moments and finally nodded.
Before I could go, he grabbed my arm and gave me a bear hug, whispering in my ear, “If you need anything, call. I would never not be on your side.”
Smiling at this, I slapped him on the back and moved along with determination, because Vivian was probably scared since her father took her back to the States.
Moya krasivoglazaya.
No one was going to hurt her ever again.
Radmir
I punched the bag wildly, sweat dripping down my back as I exhausted myself in the ring, hoping it would take away my depressing thoughts.
Like the fact I had put my child in danger, trying to catch a fuckup who put me in prison. Clearly, the plan wasn't successful, and now my woman hated me while Jake would probably have nightmares about that person who almost killed Rosa.
My need for revenge took me too far; maybe it was time to give up. At least that was the impression I had gotten from Vivian.
What was more important? My family or justice? Maybe this guy would never show up and disturb us, too cowardly to do anything when I had all the power back, along with my family. Framing a person who expected wrong moves from enemies wasn't easy either.
It had been two days since the accident. Rosa was in the hospital, and Dominic spent most of his time there, leaving the Bratva on me, which I thanked him for.
It took me away from the fact that my woman didn't sleep in my arms for the last two days; she slept with Jake and we passed by with a cold “hello” in the hallway. My insides were screaming to throw her over my shoulder and fuck her brains out, but the rational part understood she needed time after my screw-up. I did notice odd looks she was sending my way, but since she said nothing, I didn't know how to approach her either.
Which left me here during the evenings in the gym.
Fuck my life.
“Careful, Radmir, or you’ll become so ripped you won’t get through the door,” Vitya joked, as Gleb laughed along with Petor and Yuri.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
They shrugged, placing several packs of beer on the small table near the couch where members rested after an intensive work out. “We figured you’d like some company in your misery.”
“You know, since your woman has you in the doghouse and all,” Yuri added with a straight face while the rest burst out laughing again.
Fucking shits.
“I can still beat the shit out of all of you.” I wiped the sweat with my towel and hopped from the ring. “But beer sounds good.”
Vitya threw me one can, and I opened it, taking a generous gulp, enjoying the cooling sensation it provided.
We all sat on the couch and the two chairs opposite, silent until Yuri cleared his throat. “I’m scared shitless about the baby.”
We all paused with our drinks midair and shared a look.
Yuri was a complicated character, to say the least.
Melissa was an FBI agent who worked closely with Connor and was present during Damian’s human trafficking case and with Dominic’s quest to get his woman back from the psycho. She followed the law to the dot and never helped us. She provided justice where it was needed too, but overall, no one knew much about her. She came here regarding Rosa’s case, but had to stay longer due to her health issues. Mostly she couldn’t keep food down and got dizzy a few times, so she was advised to travel after a week while she submitted her blood work to Ruslan, the Bratva doctor. As stubborn as she usually was, she didn’t object with his decision and put her baby first.
Fucking hated FBI, but just this one thing made me respect her.
Except that Yuri slept with her at some point in the States and got her pregnant.
And then he refused to claim her in the brotherhood, which was unusual, because otherwise, the woman didn't get our protection. He did accept the baby though, so there was that.
But still, despite his claims, the way he looked at her when he thought no one was watching spoke for itself. Due to his past, I could understand his hesitation, but I wasn't sure she would wait indefinitely for him to pull his head out of his ass.
“You’ll be a good dad, don’t worry.” Gleb squeezed his shoulder.
Yuri turned his angry stare at him. “How do you know? God knows none of us had a good example.”
“That’s not true though,” Gleb replied, and then pointed at me. “We had him our entire childhood. I mean no offense, man. You aren't that old, but you always took care of newcomers and taught us all the shit. In a way, you raised us all.”
“True,” Vitya pitched in as warmth spread through me at those words. I loved them all like my brothers, but I was glad I managed to do something good for them. It gave me hope I could manage raising my kid.
With the help of my family.
“Anyway, how about poker? Otherwise, we’re all gonna cry and talk about relationships just like girls.” Yuri punched Gleb in the arm, but he just laughed, and Vitya tossed the cards out.
“Where’s Michael?” I asked him; those two usually stayed joined at the hip.
A soft smile spread on Vitya’s mouth as, amused, he replied, “He’s taking care of the girls.” He placed the deck in the middle and then joked, “Who knows? Maybe you’ll get back in Vi’s good graces when she is a bit drunk.”
Wait, what?
Vivian
Slipping from the room, I grabbed the nanny monitor and took it with me while plopping my ass on the couch with my Kindle on my lap.
Jake fell asleep quickly, thank God. It was ten o’clock, way past his bedtime, but with all the time changes and jet lag, it was hard to get back on schedule. Not to mention his excitement over everything Gleb.
Although I did laugh when he called him Legolas once, and Gleb was ready to kill me.
An enthusiastic knock on the door caught me off guard, and I blinked, confused. For the last two days, and because of all the things that happened with Rosa, Dominic, and Jake, no one bothered me much. In other words, I only left the room for breakfast or when Jake wanted to wander around.
Even Radmir sort of abandoned me, not even glancing my way. I struggled to understand his behavior. Wasn't he supposed to come talk to me about what went down that day?
I felt like we were both fools at this whole relationship thing. I shouldn't have overreacted like that. I should have included him in our family circle, and we should have spent that night together, all three of us. And he shouldn't have listened to me and left.
But alas, we couldn't change it now, and I was getting tired of this shit.
Maybe I can just go all caveman style on him? Seemed to always work for him when I was involved.
Tugging on my short, yellow dress, I padded to the door and opened it wide, coming face-to-face with none other than Michael.
He grinned widely at me, mischief in his eyes as he raised a bottle of wine in his hands. “Hey, krasotka.” He called me beauty? “I’m gathering all the girls so we can gossip and talk about dicks, since no one else is willing
to.” He sounded annoyed with the fact.
Huh?
Dicks?
Oh.
Radmir told me being gay was forbidden in the brotherhood, and he only had one guy, Vitya, who leaned that way. Those two were always around each other, although nothing else gave away their relationship.
He burst out laughing. “God, your face said it all. Yep, that beautiful, scarred man you’ve seen belongs to me,” he said possessively and then grabbed my hand. “Come on, the rest are already downstairs.” I dug my heels into the floor, not budging.
“Jake—”
He rolled his eyes, came inside, took the baby monitor he had given me as I had no one else to ask, and motioned with his hand to follow him. “Krasotka, you are in the Bratva headquarters with an awesome guy like me, and all you do is sit here. Not healthy.”
I was stunned at his behavior. Lately, I hadn’t noticed his shining personality. I put on my ballerinas, and we walked quietly downstairs as he hummed some Russian song.
Even as off-key as he sounded, it was catchy.
The main room was buzzing with activity as members played pool, smoked, drank, or danced with the ladies.
Ladies, as in Bratva’s whores.
But they never crossed my path or were mean, so I didn't really have anything against them as long as they didn't touch my man.
Then I’d scratch their fucking eyes out.
We joined Melissa, Konstanciya, and Kostya at the bar, since the guy was busy serving drinks to everyone. “Hey,” I said, my cheeks heating. I felt like it was my first day of high school, because I didn't interact with them much.
Konstanciya just raised her brow and then patted the seat next to her. “Welcome to the dark side.” She winked, immediately putting me at ease. “We were just chatting about guns and politics.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, those are not my favorite subjects.”
Michael saluted me while opening the bottle and pouring it in three glasses, while giving soda to Melissa. “Amen, sister. Like there is no other interesting shit to talk about.” Then he nudged Kostya. “You’re going to be part of a girl party tonight.” The bartender didn't even flinch, just shook his head, kept on working on the drinks for the rest, and scanned the place, as if checking that everything was running smoothly.