Page 19 of Auctioned to the Bratva

Ivan opened the door and headed back down to the women. I pulled the gun from my side and handed it back to Roman, but he didn’t take it.

Roman placed both his hands over mine as he spoke. “No, you keep it. You never know when you may need it.”

Glancing at the gun in my hand I couldn’t help but smile. I didn’t say it out loud, but it made me feel more powerful. Nodding, I pushed it back into the side of my pants and pulled my coat over the butt.

We walked down and found Ivan sitting with the women in the lounge.

“I tried to give her some herbal tea to try and fight the effects of the drugs they gave her,” Evelina said as she stood. “It may still take time to work out thought.”

I smiled at her, “Thank you all for everything.”

“No thanks needed,” Ivan said as he tapped my shoulder. “Let’s get you two going.”

Outside, three more cars waited as the gates opened. I sat with Irina in the back as Roman and Ivan drove us to the private airstrip just outside of town. We were escorted by the three other cars all the way up to the plane.

Roman assisted me in getting Irina on board the plane as she was still out. I noted that there were four bodyguards on the plane as well. We said our goodbyes and I sat down with Irina.

Her face was white as a sheet, and she was still going in and out. Through the window, I saw Roman and Ivan waiting until the plane started taking off.

As the wheels lifted, I looked back and saw two other cars driving up to where my brother stood. “Roman!” I screamed against the window. Tapping at the glass, I screamed again, “Roman, behind you.”

I knew he couldn’t hear me, but my mind was traveling in new directions. “Stop the plane,” I screamed at the bodyguards. “Stop the plane.”

“Sorry we have orders, sir,” the one replied solemnly. “Please stay calm, they will be fine,” the other man said as I unbuckled my seatbelt.

Glancing down, I saw flickers of light, which had to be them shooting at each other. For now, there was nothing more I could do as we were in the air. I texted Roman to find out if they were fine and waited.

I paced up and down the length of the plane, waiting for my phone to chime. It was a while before I received a text back. But they were all fine, Roman replied. Feeling relieved, I walked to the back of the plane where a small bar was set up. I poured myself a drink and walked back to where Irina lay sleeping.

She stirred from a nightmare, and I was there at her side to comfort her. As she drifted off, I sat beside her and dozed off for a bit.

Chapter 12 - Irina

Opening my eyes, I noticed I was lying on an airplane seat. Everything was fuzzy, I was sure I had heard Evelina at some point. Yet, I couldn’t place her. Slowly, I looked around, but she wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

I was covered with a fluffy blanket and an even softer pillow under my head. The plane was quiet. I saw two men seated on opposite sides of the plane before me. Feeling some turbulence, I knew the plane was in the air.

For a moment my heart stopped. Where was the plane heading to? Who was with me? I tried to sit up so I could see if there were other people on the plane except for the two guards.

As I moved, I felt a quick stabbing sensation run through my mind. I grabbed my head trying to hold it together as it exploded with increasing pain. The sounds coming out of me were that of a strangled animal.

Fear hugged my heart as I clapped my hands over my mouth. I couldn’t decide if I should hold my head or keep my mouth closed. Resting back on the soft cloud of a pillow I felt a warm hand on my shoulder.

“Relax, you are safe Irina,” Sergei said as he moved into sight. I breathed heavily as the angst left my body and relaxation took place. “Close your eyes and rest some more, we are headed to my home in Los Angeles where you will be safe.”

I placed my hand over Sergei’s as he softly squeezed my shoulder. “Thank you,” I whispered as sleep stepped in and took me again.

Suddenly, I was back in that cage. I was screaming but no one was there to hear me. The room was empty, and, on thestage, sat Caleb and his men laughing at me. My body began to shake softly. I opened my eyes and looked up into Sergei’s eyes.

Breathing out hard and fast, I tried to relax and push the images of Caleb and his men from my mind. Sergei pulled me up and embraced me tightly. “I will never leave your side again,” he whispered.

I hugged him and buried my face in his chest as my sobbing intensified. Sergei caressed my hair as he held me, and I felt my fears dissipate. I was grateful that he and Roman were at that club tonight. If not for the family, I would have been sold to a stranger. Who knew what would have happened to me then?

Even though I didn’t know much about Sergei, he was Roman’s brother and that meant a lot. I preferred to be with him at the moment as I knew he would not force me into anything.

Just the thought of being with a complete stranger at the moment made me shiver. But thank God they were there, and now I am safe with Sergei. I shifted and cuddled into his embrace. There was something different about him though.

It almost felt as if he was giving off rage, it felt like it was pouring out of him somehow. But the man I met and had a lovely evening with didn’t seem to have such intense rage. I gently shook my head, clearing my thoughts from it. I was sure the sense was due to my own experience as Sergei was a gentleman.

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