Page 10 of Auctioned to the Bratva

To him, I was sure I would just become another nick on his belt. This is what I kept telling myself until I believed it. I would end up being just another one of his girls. I wanted more from life, that was why I came all this way.

Thinking about it now, as my emotions came down, I could kick myself for being so gullible. I should have seen the markers. After all, I grew up between men and could easily have spotted a player. Why didn’t I see it, or did I not want to? Has moving here made me so vulnerable that I would jump for the first man I met?

This was not me and it sure wasn’t who I wanted to be. As my mind absorbed all that had happened, I felt a pang of fear grow within.

I felt my eyes burn as tears started forming, and knew I had to get out. Tenderly, I took his hand and held it in the air as I shifted out from under it. As I placed his hand down on the bed, he moved, and I froze. But he only moved a little and then relaxed again.

Slowly, I let out the breath I was holding before heading for the living area. I clutched the robe as I started for the bathroom to change.

I wiped the tears and rinsed my face. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I noticed my eyes were puffy and my hair looked wild.

I smoothed my hair out and tied it up before rinsing my face a second time. It was an amazing night, I thought, that is what I will remember of him. I glanced at the door, my heart and mind were struggling to agree.

Maybe it was due to the strange fluttering in my stomach or my heart trying to convince me I could stay. But I knew better, and staying would only make it harder to leave later. I softly slapped my cheeks before pointing at my reflection.

“Get a grip on yourself,” I said to the face staring back at me. “This is the reason you left Russia; you are not going to allow puppy love to convince you otherwise.”

I quickly glanced around making sure there wasn’t anything I forgot before heading for the door. As I moved, I peeked through the open bedroom door, he was still asleep. I felt a heavy weight lift from my shoulders as I unlocked the penthouse door and slipped out.

Gently, I closed the door behind me. Leaning against the closed door I breathed in deeply. “Yes, I am doing the right thing,” I told my questioning heart. Quickly, I moved to the elevator and pushed the button.

It felt like it took forever for it to arrive. I kept looking back at the suite door, expecting it to open any second.

I rode the elevator down to the lobby and exited quietly. For some insane reason, I expected the doorman to stop me. My mind told me to move faster; Sergei was coming to look for me. I couldn’t decide if that was just what I wanted or if it was what I feared.

But no one stopped me, I walked out into the brisk morning air just before dawn. The streets were still filled with silence as the world slept. The doorman hailed me a cab.

As I got in, I glanced up at the penthouse windows. A black blanket still lay over the building, there was no light on in any of the windows, so I left.

I gave the driver my hotel address and sat back. The ride to my hotel was quick. I paid and headed to my room. Even though he didn’t know where I was staying, I was filled with a sinking feeling. My stomach felt like one great knot.

After locking the door, I walked to the chair by the window and plopped down in it. I removed my shoes and threw them towards the bedroom before opening the window. The air was cool and comforting. What if he asked Roman or Oleg about me, would Evelina tell them where I was staying?

If I needed to, I could tell Evelina what had happened, and she could convince Roman not to say anything. Oleg would first speak to Evelina before saying anything, though. But Roman. This was his brother, his blood. Yet, Sergei said he wanted nothing to do with Bratva. Would he then ask them about me? Maybe not, I was just seeing fires that weren’t even there, I assured myself.

My head was still spinning so I put the kettle on and headed to the bedroom. I wiggled out of the dress and allowed it to fall to the floor before stepping into my nighties. After making a fresh cup of coffee, I returned to the couch at the window. I had to clear my mind.

The rich aroma filled the confines of the room and had a calming effect. I sipped slowly as I watched dawn arriving. The sound of traffic and people started to fill the air traveling in from the street below.

I closed the window, rinsed my cup, and headed to the bedroom. My eyes were heavy, and I needed some rest. As I climbed under the soft covers, I decided I would go exploringthis afternoon. Maybe I would go for a swim or a walk on the beach.

For now, I would stay clear of the clubs until I was settled. As my eyes drifted closed, I saw Sergei’s warm smile as he kissed me. My body tingled with the afterthought. I would cherish the night for some time, I thought as I drifted off.

Chapter 7 - Sergei

I turned and stretched out trying to find her with my eyes still closed as I breathed in the fresh morning air. My hand landed on the cold sheets, and my eyes flew open. The bed next to me was empty. Sitting up quickly, I listened for any sound in the suite.

Maybe she was in the bathroom. I jumped out of bed and walked through the bedroom door. The bathroom door was open, and her clothing was gone. Did she go to get us coffee?

Yes, I told myself, she had gone for coffee. I collected my clothing from the suitcases still packed and headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower and a set of clean clothes, I felt refreshed. I checked my watch, it was just past six. Why did she not order room service?

There was nothing here, no sign of her; it was as if she was never here. Rubbing my smooth chin, I wondered if she left. Why would she just go?

I picked up the phone and ordered a pot of coffee with two mugs, maybe she just went to get something. I checked the table by the door and the ones in the bedroom, hoping she had left a note. But there was nothing.

The doorbell rang and I thought maybe it was her. I opened the door ready to welcome her back, but it was room service with my coffee. It was the same young man from the night before.

“Have you seen the lady perhaps this morning downstairs?” I asked as I handed him a tip.

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