Page 52 of Baby for the Bratva

“Shit, there’s nothing else we can do?”

“They want me dead,” I reply flatly. “If they even let me pay it off, I’ll be lucky. Otherwise, we’re going to have to take more drastic measures.”

Akim leans in, clearly interested in hearing about them, but I’m not prepared to say what I have in mind just yet. Until there’s no other option, I’m keeping this little idea close to my heart. Nobody knows about it but me.

“Don’t worry about it,” I grumble. “But know that I always have a plan.”

“That’s why you’re the boss,” he replies. “I trust your judgment. We all do.”

It’s nice to hear some genuine praise for my efforts every once in a while. I often feel like a teacher trying to manage a classroom of unruly kindergarteners. Moments like this make it worthwhile.

“I’d love to have a drink with you, but I think we need to keep our wits about us,” I say. “So, in that case, perhaps another cigar.”

I pull two out of my jacket, and Akim grins. “I’d be a fool to say no.”

24

Stella

“What’s so dangerous about Jamaica?” I ask as Yuri leans into his closet full of guns. He pulls out a pistol with an extended magazine, examining it in the light for a moment before stuffing it into a small leather briefcase.

“Javell. You’ll meet him while we’re there, but you can’t really trust him, especially not with the bounty that’s following me around,” he replies.

“Bounty?” I ask, a bit confused. “Are you a fugitive?”

He looks over his shoulder at me. “Only in Brazil, but they’re sending people after me. I suspect Chekhov’s death is related, but I haven’t found a clear connection yet.”

“I still don’t understand why they would kill him. I thought they were after you?”

“They are, and I don’t understand it either,” he admits. “But we’ll be fine. Just stick close to me and don’t let anyone lead you astray. No cops, no friendly tourists, nobody. You understand?”

I nod. I’m more of an introvert, anyway, especially in new places.

“Not Molly either, by the way. You’re not to talk to her again,” he says, buckling his briefcase and stepping away from the closet.

My stomach drops. “But… she’s my friend.”

“Too bad,” he replies, and his voice is cold. Why is he being so rude all of a sudden? I don’t get it. Sure, this situation is dangerous, but Molly doesn’t have anything to do with it. She’s been nothing but friendly this entire time.

“I like Molly. She’s my friend,” I say, hoping he’ll ease up when he realizes I’m not just going to blindly obey him.

“I said it was too bad,” he snaps. “I’m in no mood for arguing.”

I let out an angry huff, crossing my arms as he hurries past me to his dresser. “And I’m not in the mood for being ordered around.”

If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the spot from his striking gaze. “You don’t get to make the decisions around here, princess. Not anymore.”

“Then maybe I don’t want to go along with you. This was supposed to be a pleasure cruise, but it’s turned into a nightmare.”

“I said it was too bad, and I mean it. Nothing you say or do now is going to change anything, so you might as well get used to it,” he growls, throwing a pair of sunglasses onto the bed.

I scoff, my instinct telling me to push back harder instead of letting him walk over me. I had enough of that crap with Tyler.

But Yuri isn’t Tyler. He’s a massive Russian mafia boss with guns in his briefcase and the ability to snap a person in half with his pinky. I shouldn’t push him, but I also can’t let him tell me what to do. I need my freedom just as much as he needs to be in control of everything.

“I’m not going on the island if you’re going to treat me like I’m your slave. I’m not arm candy for you to show off to Javell,” I say, crossing my arms tighter and widening my stance.

My aggression is met with a bitter laugh. “You’re way off your mark, darling. This isn’t a cute little cruise anymore. You belong to the Bratva now.”

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