Page 18 of Auctioned to the Bratva

The gate was open, I pulled in and parked next to the steps leading to the front door. I jumped out and headed around to the passenger side. I opened the door and pulled Irina out of the car. Feeling a wave of relief wash over me, I embraced her in my arms. She was still out of it and felt limp.

The front door opened, and Karine came down the stairs followed by Evelina. I held Irina tightly; I didn’t want to let go. She needed me, my protection from a world I knew little about. As the two women reached us, I heard a car pulling in.

Turning with Irina still in my arms, I pulled the gun from my side ready to shoot if there were any sign of danger. I breathed out loudly as I saw it was Roman pulling in. Karina pushed the button and the gate closed behind him.

Roman parked beside us. As he got out, I saw Ivan was with him. “Thank you, thank you both,” I said as they stepped closer.

“Let’s get inside,” Roman said as he kindly pushed me toward the house. “Karine has some of her men patrolling the streets while my men will be walking the yard.” He continued as we headed inside.

“We need to talk,” Roman said as we were safely inside behind closed doors. I nodded and eased my hold on Irina. She glanced up at me and I gently kissed her forehead. Evelina and Karine took her from me as I stepped back.

Irina had a strange smile on her precious lips, I was sure she was not completely sober yet. I stared as the three women headed to the kitchen, lounge, or wherever they were taking her. Irina was hanging on them as if she was intoxicated. I wanted to go with them; I wanted to make sure she was safe.

Roman tapped me on the shoulder, “Let’s go to my office.” he said. He walked in front with me and Ivan in tow. My mind kept seeing Irina in that cage and I couldn’t rid myself of the protective feelings I held.

“You think this is over? Did you kill that man?” I asked as Roman closed the door behind us.

Roman paced to his desk and picked up a stack of papers. As he held them out to me, he replied. “No, brother, this is far from over. We don’t go around just killing people, where’s your head at?”

I took the papers from him and looked at them. “What is this?” I asked glancing from him to Ivan.

“We have found a house for you here in Miami, close to us all,” Ivan said.

I stumbled backward in awe. But before I could protest, Roman stepped closer and added to Ivan’s statement. “Sergei, you were looking for a place, and after tonight…” Roman looked sternly at Ivan.

“After tonight, you will need to stay close. It is for your and Irina’s protection.” Ivan completed.

I sat down in the chair staring at them in silence. My mind flashed through all that had happened. My blood was still racing through my veins, and it felt like I had stuck my finger in an electric socket.

The adrenaline rush was far from over but I kind of liked the sense it brought. However, the idea that this fight wasn’t over struck a nerve.

Roman poured each of us a glass and sat down opposite me. “You need to leave, tonight. I have arranged for a plane. You will go back home to Los Angeles until the sale has gone through,” he said calmly.

I swallowed the content of my glass while Roman and Ivan watched me intently. “But…” I started and trailed off as I remembered my discussion with Irina the previous night.

She wanted to be a teacher, she wanted nothing of this life, and neither did I. But now, after all this, I suppose I have no other options left. No, I still had a say, I thought as I rose.

“No,” I said as I walked to the desk and placed the papers down. “Yes, I want a home here but on my terms. It is my life you know.”

“Yes, we understand Sergei, but…” Roman started saying as I interrupted him.

“I will keep us safe. I have money and guards, and I care for Irina.” I spat back at them.

Ivan walked closer and placed his hand on my shoulder. “You will be safe. We know you can do this alone, but we want to help. We have already set up the guards and ensured your home in Los Angeles is safe. For now.”

I was astounded; it felt like it had only been a couple of minutes and all these things had been arranged. Not sure how to respond, I breathed in deeply.

“Sergei, it is one of the homes you looked at. Remember you mentioned them to me over the phone last week before you came down.” Roman said as he pulled the photo out from behind the stack of papers. “All you need to do is sign the papers.”

I remembered that conversation with Roman and I did like that house. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea. I grabbed a pen from the holder on his desk and signed the documents. Once done, I picked them up and handed them back to Roman.

“This is my choice.” I said, “This is the house I want, yes.”

Roman smiled as he took the papers from me. “Yes, but it will take about six to twelve weeks for the sale to be completed. In the meantime, you go home and settle your business that side, okay?”

“Thank you,” I said as Ivan shook my hand. “But this doesn’t mean I am joining anything.”

“Well, then,” he said. “Let’s get the two of you on your way home.”

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