by Mason, V. F.
They had no say in their life.
Clasping my hands, I glanced at the phone one more time and murmured, “Let’s see, my son, how well you’ll dance to my tune now.”
He thought he could run away and live his life freely with the Russian Bratva with no repercussions. He probably forgot that Jaroslaw didn’t forget anything.
He just forgot what my punishment felt like.
The time had come to remind him.
Chapter Ten
Moscow, Russia
Yuri, 30 years old.
Cheers erupted as the Bratva members all fired their guns up in the sky and welcomed the new leader of the brotherhood. The oldest members, the ones who obeyed the rules and reminded us about fucking traditions all the time, slowly walked to him as he stood in the circle among us and presented him with a brown, wooden case.
He opened it and it held a revolver made out of the finest steel, a pipe from an oak tree, and finally a gold ring that would forever indicate his status to everyone who ever saw him.
Dominic immediately put the ring on and fired the gun upwards while we surrounded him, waiting for his first order.
He was chosen by the vote of the oldest, proving his worth with his skills and status all through the years with Vasya. It was no secret Vasya had a soft spot for him, and although Vasya had his own son, he always prepared Dominic to take the throne so to speak.
Especially with Radmir in prison, not that Dom would ever change his status as sovietnik. One of the best qualities of the new pakhan was loyalty.
Finally, he motioned for Kostya to turn on the music, and it blasted all through the headquarters while the members whistled and jumped on the wagon of celebration. I spun around, ready to numb myself into fucking oblivion with a drink, when a strong arm on my shoulder stopped me.
I should have known he wouldn’t let me leave so easily. “You have to stay.”
Hollow laughter escaped me. “Is that an order, Pakhan?” He gritted his teeth while Vitya and Gleb shook their heads at me, but I didn’t give a fuck.
I had a plan in motion, prepared all my finances and investments that would last me a lifetime so I could finally leave this fucking brotherhood and live the rest of my life in peace.
As much peace as was possible with my memories.
Dominic had no power to keep me here, and he couldn’t threaten me either, because I could destroy all the Bratva dealings with one click of a button.
“It’s a request. From a friend,” Dominic said, and I cursed inwardly, because he knew just how to push my buttons.
I would leave Vasya in a heartbeat, but how could I do it to my best friend? No matter what, the four of them were with me through thick and thin, doing everything in their power to protect and love me.
I would have been dead a long time ago if it weren’t for them, and I wished it would fill me with love instead of resentment.
So I stayed and helped him get it all together, hoping for a day where he wouldn’t need me anymore.
Funny thing about Pakhan though?
He never gave up on the people he considered his tribe. Even if he didn’t trust them anymore.
And part of me hated him for it, because it kept me prisoner to the life that I despised with all my being and that ultimately stripped me of everything I held dear to my heart.
Moscow, Russia
February 2018
Melissa
Cold water poured over me, causing my eyes to snap open, and instantly piercing pain assaulted me from every corner as I could barely blink without it sending spasms through my head.
What the hell?
I breathed heavily and blindly reached for Tylenol that were usually stashed in the bedside drawer, but all I found was cold concrete.
Then it hit me, memories coming back like a horrifying black and white movie.
Men barged in, in the middle of the night, them grabbing me painfully, and finally one of them knocking me out cold.
I tried to sit up, but all I managed to do was cry out in pain. I couldn’t do anything without it affecting my head, so I tentatively rubbed my stomach where my baby boy kicked. I exhaled in relief when I didn’t find blood there.
At least they didn’t hurt my baby.
Blinking a few times with a whimper, I concentrated on my surroundings, at least what I could see lying on my side, and noticed that I was in a cell space with one metal door in front.
A small sink and toilet that smelled horribly. I almost gagged when several flies flew around the latter, and the blood that smeared the space.
Cold concrete with no food or mattress or anything else in sight.
Panic and nervousness penetrated my bones as deep fear settled inside me, but I couldn’t give in to it. I was an agent, for crying out loud; I shouldn’t lose my shit.
But in that moment, I felt only like a mother who was afraid for the safety of her child.
The door opened, causing bright light to blur my vision, and I couldn’t help but wince, which sent another jolt of pain through my head.
Finally adjusting my vision, I saw expensive, Italian leather shoes walking soundlessly toward me, and then the man came into view.
And I gasped, because it was none other than Yuri’s father.
Jaroslaw Zienkiewicz.
Once, as I worked on a child trafficking case, Yuri opened up to me about his past and told me where he really came from. He told me his father operated the biggest child trafficking system and resided in Poland. He’d run away from there and found Vasya, and although he searched for a way to destroy him, they could never do it, because the man disappeared from the radar. No one could find him even though we had pictures in our databases. Around ten years ago, a body was found and everyone came to the conclusion it was him.
Big mistake.
He snapped his fingers and a beefy man quickly placed a chair inside. Yuri’s father sat on it, facing me while smirking. “So you are the woman my son loves.” That was the last thing I expected him to say, so I kept my mouth shut. He sighed mockingly. “I told that fool many times it means nothing much, that elusive love feeling, but he didn’t listen.”
“What do you want from me?” I wouldn’t give him the chance to give me stupid speeches; men like him always tried to show themselves in an amazing light and brainwash you, watching carefully, trying to find your weak spots.
Fuck him.
He clucked his tongue, huffing in annoyance. “A little respect for the elderly wouldn’t hurt.” His voice was thick with his accent, and I could barely understand what he said. “But I like that you cut straight to the chase, woman.” He kneeled in front of me, moving some strands of my hair from my forehead and then pulled harshly on it. I shifted my head to the side and locked the scream in the back of my throat, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.
He chuckled. “And brave. My son chose well, but no man should be led by a pussy.”
Disgusting pig.
“What do you want from me?” I gritted my teeth, wondering if there was a way out of the situation I was in.
And even with my condition, surely a hit on the head wouldn’t bring me this much discomfort? I’d encountered a lot of stuff on the job, so I was used to a variety of things.
“From you? Nothing much. Truth be told, kidnapping a US agent wasn’t on my agenda. Too much trouble.” He wiggled his fingers. “But my son left me no choice. He wouldn’t come back or help me with that brain of his. Thinks he is above me. When there wouldn’t be him without me.” His voice turned cold and harsh. “If I have you, he will show up. And give me what I so desperately seek.” Although I suspected that was his plan, I’d expected something more complicated.
Basically, I was nothing but bait.
“I wouldn’t hold my breath for that,” I said, licking my dry lips and ignoring the need to drink, or pee for that matter. “Your son doesn’t love me.”
A laugh echoed through the space. “Ah, Melissa. Trust me, for you he will come. And fo
r my grandson.” He placed his hand on my stomach and revulsion rushed through me. I pushed his hand back as he chuckled again. “But don’t worry. I don’t need your baby. He is nothing but bait.”
Wait, what?
Why would my baby be bait? “What’s that supposed to mean?” He just shook his head and got up, leaving me alone once again. “Oh my God, oh my God,” I whispered while rubbing my stomach, ignoring everything else, because my baby kicked relentlessly, probably sensing my distress. “Shh, Daddy will save us,” I murmured, even though I wasn’t sure it was the truth.
This man had plans for us, and I had a suspicion that while he wouldn’t kill his own blood, he wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of me to teach Yuri a lesson.
Shaking my head from the bad thoughts, I concentrated on my breathing and only one thing played in my mind.
Yuri, please come in time.
Yuri
Grabbing the bottle of whiskey, I poured some into a glass and shook it, causing the ice cubes to clink against each other.
Walking toward the couch, I sat on it with a loud thump and gulped the drink in one swift motion, enjoying the burning liquid sliding down my throat.
The music blared from the speakers, the party in full swing in the headquarters. Most of the brotherhood either drank, fucked, or played pool.
I noticed Kostya staring at me from behind the bar, as well as Konstanciya, who just shook her head and continued to chat to her man. I wondered when those two would tie the knot. They had been fucking around for the last two years.
Michael sat next to me, bringing the bottle with him, and with an appreciative nod, I extended my glass to him and he refilled it. “So I guess that means she didn’t forgive you?” And here I thought everyone would respect my privacy.
Not in this chick-like brotherhood apparently.
“No,” I answered curtly and gulped the drink again, having every intention to get fucking drunk.
“Maybe if you had stayed—” I couldn’t fucking believe Michael, of all people, was giving me a lecture!
“I did everything to apologize for one stupid mistake, and you know what? She wanted none of it. She cried,” I whispered, and he tensed. “Cried silently, but cried nevertheless. I broke something inside her, and I can’t fix it. It’s not me giving up; it’s me giving her space. The last thing she needs is added stress in her condition.” Every male, possessive part inside me demanded to be next to her, protect her, and provide for her.
But she didn’t need those things from me.
The couch dipped on my other side, and I didn’t even have to look to know who it was. “A little time, man. She just needs time,” Gleb said and patted my shoulder as if his words would make it better.
It was easy for them to say; their women—or man, for that matter—stayed with them under their fucking roof, and they didn’t have to chase them all over the fucking world or constantly worry about their safety.
Although I had five guys watching her, it wasn’t the same as me being there. No one would protect my woman and my baby better than me.
No one. That was why I planned to move to New York for the time being and had even discussed it with Dominic. I could operate Bratva paperwork from afar; all I needed was a laptop.
Dominic and Vitya chose that moment to join us and dropped onto the chairs opposite. “The whole gang is here. I’m honestly not in the mood for words of wisdom from you guys.” They didn’t react to my words, just shared looks and fisted their hands and raised them up. A smile pulled at my lips, despite this fucked-up mood.
A memory came crashing back at me.
“We need a code,” Vitya said, and everyone chuckled, but he just frowned. “I’m fucking serious. What if we end up in some kind of fuckery and we can’t talk to one another? We need a sign that would mean something.”
Gleb laughed his ass off and hooked his arm over Vitya’s shoulder. “Come, my prince, rescue me, something like that.” Vitya tried to punch him in the side, but he swayed back while Dom rolled his eyes.
I just shook my head and continued to type on the computer, not pleased that my latest program didn’t provide as much security as I would have liked. I chose it as my high school diploma project to get into the top universities in the country.
Since I was a genius, Vasya offered me a place outside the country, but I didn’t want to.
“Fuck you, Gleb.” Vitya clapped his hands. “Just two, three signs, you idiots.”
Finally, Dominic spoke. “Sounds safe enough. What do you have in mind?” Ah, our silent leader.
Vitya got out of Gleb’s hold and stood in the middle of us. “One finger raised means we have company and should be careful.”
“I thought it couldn’t get any stupider than that idea, but it can. Two means what? The shit is about to go down?” Gleb mused, and this time Vitya didn’t hold himself back and punched him in the face. He stumbled back, still laughing.
“Three fingers means we are in deep shit, but there is an escape.” Dom and I shared a look but then shrugged.
Truth be told, each one of us had some weird requests, so we got used to it and respected them. Vitya cared about this stuff, so as a result, we did too.
“And a fist up means all hell broke loose and we have no clue how it will end, but no matter what, we stick together.”
Raising my glass, I pointed it at them, acknowledging the sign, and was about to sip more when my phone vibrated in my lap, an unknown number on the display.
I picked it up on the third ring and the minute the voice on the other end of the line spoke, my heart stilled and coldness slipped into every bone.
“Hello, son.”
It had been eighteen years, but his voice still had the power to take me back to the time when I was a helpless kid and he sold me off for different nights to his clients. Claiming that was how he showed me I was worthy of their fucking brotherhood.
He was dead—Vasya showed me reports.
Why wasn’t he fucking dead?
“Now, before you decide to hang up, I want you to see a video I’ve sent you on the phone. Open it and then we can chat again.” He hung up on me as I received the message with the video.
“Turn the music off,” I whispered, and since no one listened, I roared, “Turn it off.”
Immediately, they complied, and Dom barked, “Everyone get the fuck out.” In moments, they cleared the place, leaving only the elite inside.
My brothers stood in a circle around me so everyone could see the video, and I pressed Play, and fear unlike anything I’d ever felt before washed over me.
Melissa lay on something akin to a surgical table, spread eagle, while two doctors stood by her side and several beeping machines surrounded them.
Perspiration coated her skin, the hospital gown plastered tightly against her as well.
Her hands were bound to the table, secured with brown leather straps.
My father came into view, not changing one fucking bit in all those years. He walked closer to Melissa, who thrashed on the bed, and ran his finger over her cheek, but she shied away from the contact.
“She is very brave, your woman, you know? I applaud her for that,” he said and then slapped her hard on the cheek. I watched as she stilled a cry between her lips and just breathed heavily. “And that boy of yours must be strong. Still kicks despite all the beatings inflicted on his mother.” My hands squeezed the phone so harshly Gleb took it from me before I could crush it. “I wonder if he is as sweet as you were. My clients loved you the most.” Everyone around me froze, to the point that a fly could have flown between us and we’d hear its every move. “But then you ran away, challenged me. You really thought there would be no repercussions for your actions?” So all this fucking time, it was not the Kuzmin Bratva who fucked with me.
It was him.
“You know what I want, Yuri. Get it to me in time to save your son.” He pointed at the doctor who injected something into Melissa’s vein. “She will start the delivery s
hortly. We are in Moscow. I will contact you soon. Cooperate, son, and you might see the baby.” He grabbed Melissa’s chin as she whimpered when he mentioned our son. “This little darling cannot be saved, I’m afraid. Just a little payback for what you did in the past. Dowidzenia.” With that, the video ended as I stood there with Vitya and Dom holding me by my shoulders, clearly not knowing what to expect.
They shouldn’t worry.
If I lost my shit, I wouldn’t ever come back from insanity.
Kostya jumped from the counter. “Yuri.” I raised my hand to stop him.
“What does he want, Yuri?” Dom finally asked, and a humorless chuckle slipped from me while I tried to block out the image of Melissa lying there.
Knowing this fucker, I had only an hour left, a max of two, to save them both before it would be too late.
She was only six months pregnant; the chances of our baby surviving outside her were very slim. He would need all the medical assistance he could get.
Not to mention the fucker would probably cut her open, causing as much pain as possible.
“The codes,” I finally replied, my voice raspy. “The codes for the system.”
I took out the phone and dialed a number I gave my word never to dial.
Unfortunately, Jaxon MacAlister was the only one who could help me, as both of us ran away from the same hell eighteen years ago.
Jaroslaw
Checkmate.
Yuri
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Jaxon bellowed, pacing back and forth in his office as I watched through Skype on the big screen in Dominic’s office.
Everyone was there, and I didn’t miss the glances thrown my way constantly, like they were ready to jump on me in case I lost my shit.
There was no need for that.
I had to bring her back home. Once that was done… then God help my father and all the fuckers who helped him.
My fury would know no mercy.
“No. I’m serious,” I replied coldly, and by the tone of my voice, he halted his movements and spun around. He held my stare for a long time before shaking his head at me. “We had a code.”
