Page 17 of Auctioned to the Bratva

“No,” I screamed, Sergei had the highest bid. That man didn’t even raise. Sold to a stranger, my mind tried to focus, but I couldn’t get a grip on the situation. This was done on purpose, I thought. These people just wanted to get one over on the Morozov family. I was sure of it.

Tears streaked down my face as the air left my lungs and I collapsed into a bundle on the floor. This wasn’t happening, I thought, it was a trap. Two men started unlocking the cage door and picked me up by my arms. I tried to hold the bar in the center, but they kept pulling.

My arms felt like they were being pulled out of my body. I feared they might snap at any second, but then my fingers slipped. The men started dragging me out. Over my shoulder, I noticed the three of a man from the bar waddling over toward us. Before my mind could formulate any more thoughts, I heard the first gunshots echo through the room.

Glancing toward the sound, I saw Roman and Ivan shooting at the men by the stage. Trying to focus on the people scurrying around, I saw Sergei. He was fighting off two bodyguards as he came closer. The two men that had dragged me out of the cage let go of me and I lay collapsed on the floor. I tried to stand, but my legs were still numb.

I was almost to my feet when I felt my legs give away. I held out my arms out to Sergei. Before I collided with the cement floor, I felt his strong arm wrap around me and pull me into his grip. I flung my arms around his neck, breathing in deeply.

Sergei lifted my feet off the ground as he turned and headed for the door. Relief washed over me as his presence filled me with a sense of safety. I closed my eyes and held on tightly as we moved. My head still throbbed but knowing I was saved allowed my mind to relax.

We moved through the people, but I wasn’t fully functional yet. I felt someone shoving us and heard another couple of shots before silence filled my mind.

At some point through the fog, I recalled being carried into a house and then back to a car. Every time I tried to open my eyes, the lights blinded me. There were ghosts seemingly everywhere, so I gave in to the drugs in my system.

I allowed my mind to swim through the sea of visions at free will.

Chapter 11 - Sergei

I felt my fingers close around the gun as if they knew what they were doing. I was numbed by fear as a chill ran down my spine. Caleb had overlooked my hand and my bid. He sold her to that, I thought as I glanced back at the bar and then the six family members.

We had brothers and cousins all backing us up, my mind assured me as I recalled their names. Ivan, Nikolai, Aleksei, and Yuri. But they were the only names I could remember, though. I thought she would be saved one way or another as Roman leaned closer.

“You be sure to get her out brother,” Roman said as he let go of my hand. “We’ll handle the rest.”

Feeling my rage replacing the shock, I nodded in agreement. Glancing over to the bar, I saw the fat slob getting up and walking toward the stage. I turned and headed for the cage where two men were unlocking the door.

A couple of shots flew past me in the direction of the stage. Focused on Irina, I didn’t even flinch as I moved through the crowd. People were screaming and shoving in all directions as they tried to escape.

Some fell and others simply trampled over them. Glancing back, I knew I had to stay on my feet and focused.

In the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the two bodyguards moving toward me. I allowed my anger to take control as they tried to grab my arms. Turning swiftly, I swung my hand with the gun and felt it collide with the first man's head in full force.

There was a loud ‘bang’ as a bullet was released scraping the man's ear but whirling into the crowd. I had no time to stress about stray bullets. I made a mental note to try not to pull the trigger without a solid target in mind.

A trickle of blood instantly started where my gun had struck him. The trail of blood ran down the side of his head as his legs gave way and he collapsed to the floor. He was clutching the side of his head as his eyes looped in their sockets.

The second man was holding onto my other arm as he tried to pull his gun from his hip. The scattering of people around us made it impossible for me to see Roman or the others. I took a deep breath and focused on the situation.

Glancing around at Irina, I knew I had to move quickly as they pulled her out of the cage. She looked weak and confused. My heart raced within the confines of my chest. A burning sensation pushed through, and it felt like my chest might burst open.

Without even being fully aware, I swung at the second man. My hand with the gun struck his cheek, and his head bounced sideways. I felt his grip on my arm loosen and I swung with my now free hand.

As I hit the bottom of his jaw, I experienced a stinging in my fingers. But I felt something snap under his skin, and he was moaning in pain as he went down.

Looking back as I headed to the cage, I finally saw Roman and the others. They were scattered throughout the club. Roman and Ivan were standing on the stage with Caleb. Ivan was behind him, and it looked like he had a gun on Caleb’s back. Roman was before him pointing his finger at Caleb’s face.

The two guys holding Irina up backed away as I closed in on them. She tried to stand but her legs appeared lifeless. For asecond, I felt an increased rage inside flare up. If they hurt her, I mumbled to myself as I pushed forward. I swear, I will kill them all.

Irina held out her arms as I stepped in and grabbed her around the waist. She hugged me tightly and that was fine with me. I held her close to my chest, picked her up, and headed for the side door.

The fat slob was blocked off by Yuri, which I was grateful for. As I got closer to the door some men started moving toward me. I turned and walked backward through the door just in case. But Nikolai and Aleksei stepped in before they could reach us.

As I turned to head for the car, I caught movement beside us. Turning with the gun aimed at shoulder height I saw a man with a scar running toward us. I squeezed the trigger and felt the recoil lift my hand. The man went down, and I turned back to the front. I had no time to make sure whether he was dead or alive. I only knew that I had to get Irina out of there.

I shoved the gun into the side of my pants and picked Irina up fully into my arms. As I reached the street, the valet had my Ferrari running. He opened the passenger door, and I placed Irina inside. I slid over the bonnet and got in on the driver's side. Pulling out, I texted Roman to say we were heading to his home.

I wasn’t sure who these people were and how much they knew. Hell, I didn’t even really know what was happening. But I did know Roman’s place would be the safest right now.

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