Page 43 of Auctioned to the Bratva

The car took a sharp turn and I found myself sitting against Sam. In fact, I was squashing her against her door. We started giggling but stopped abruptly as there was another urgent turn the other way. The car halted sharply, and the quiet night air filled with gunshots.

Sam pulled me down behind the front seat with her as she moved. There were a couple more shots and then the car doors were being forced open.

I screamed as Sam was being pulled out from her side. I tried to hold onto her hand but felt a tug in my middle. Glancing around trying to make sense, I felt my heart stop for a second as I was being dragged out as well.

Instinctively I tried kicking and turning, pulling at the arm around my waist. Then the man holding me placed a cloth over my mouth. Glancing up, I saw a scar on his face.

My eyelids instantly became heavy. I struggled to breathe as my lungs filled with whatever was on the cloth. I tried seeing where Sam was, but the darkness took over.

I heard her scream before my mind shut down. That last feeling of dread and despair took over within seconds before everything disappeared.

Chapter 25 - Sergei

Irina entered the kitchen as I was clearing the table. She made sure I had enough to eat. The breakfast had been so good that I had too much.

I felt like I had swallowed a baby elephant. There was still some food left which I tossed into a bowl and put in the fridge. I might as well have it for lunch I thought.

Glancing at her, I almost dropped the plate in my hand. She was a vision to behold as she gracefully entered. Staring at her, I was entranced by her attractiveness. Her curves filled the suit she was wearing perfectly.

The pink top she wore with it was a flawless match. It only exposed enough of her bosom to prickle the mind while leaving enough for the imagination. My eyes explored her body as my mind took a trip back to LA.

I felt an immense need to grab her and head upstairs. But instead, I placed the plate down, wiped my hands on my pants, and pulled her into my arms. I tried getting her to stay and go upstairs with me. But she resisted gently, and I also knew she needed to get out a bit.

Our eyes met as she leaned forward, and our lips gathered in a heated kiss. Irina stepped back sliding her hand down my chest before heading to the door. She blew me a kiss before walking out.

I watched as she left with Karine. I was sure she would be safe, but a little voice inside told me that I was a fool. Returning to my cleaning, I wiped the thought away. She was with the wives of the strongest Bratva family in Miami at the moment; what could go wrong?

Once all the dishes were packed, I hit the wash button. I made a cup of coffee and headed up to my office. Today, I had the whole day to myself.

Why not catch up on some work, I decided as I sat down in front of my computer. I scanned my planner, deciding which calls would have to be made. Once I had a list, I could take a look at the rest of my piled-up work.

I switched on the computer and opened my emails. Scanning them, I pulled the needed files from the filing cabinet and got started.

Once the emails were done, I completed some sales details with the office manager in Los Angeles. I headed back down and poured another cup. Then I called a couple of clients to settle the deals still open. Placing the phone down after the last call I noticed that evening was crawling in.

I was so busy that I had not even noticed. Checking the time, I realized that Irina would be home soon. I decided the rest could wait for another day and left my office. As I headed to the kitchen to eat my leftovers for supper instead of lunch, I turned on only the most needed lights.

I grabbed a plate from the washer before taking the bowl of food out of the fridge. After adding everything left onto a plate, I popped it into the microwave and hit the button to heat it.

I walked to the living area and decided on a bottle of wine for Irina and me, which I placed in the fridge. Once Irina returned, we could shower quickly and see what the playroom held for us, I thought. Roman had specific instructions on what was needed in the room, but I have not even checked on the results yet.

As I waited for my food to heat, I grinned at my reflection in the microwave door. I was pulled back out of my thoughts as my phone rang.

Taking it out of my pocket I noticed it was Leo calling. Staring at my half-brother's name on the screen I wondered why he would be calling. This was unusual but I decided to take the call. Maybe he just wanted to talk about the family or the women’s day out, I thought smiling as I swiped up on the screen.

Bringing the phone to my ear, I greeted him cheerily. “Hey, Leo, how’s it going?”

“Sergei,” Leo said, his voice sounding as if he was being choked. “It’s the women, brother.” The pitch of his voice changed as he continued. “They have been attacked on their way home and Irina has been taken.”

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard the microwave beeping as any and all thoughts left me. My mind and body filled with a deep dark pit of despair as everything went blank. I couldn’t move for a moment as that little voice in my mind went off.

“Sergei,” I heard Leo calling over the phone. I glanced down at the phone in my hand. Lifting it back to my ear, I heard Leo adding. “Roman is on his way to you. Evelina assured us she would have an address in no time. Brother, do you hear me? Do you hear me?” Leo was practically screaming over the phone.

“Leo,” was all I could get out as my rage pushed up beyond control. It was choking me.

“We’ll get her, Sergei,” Leo added before I disconnected the call as I felt my head splitting. I couldn’t think straight, I couldn’t get a grip on myself.

Turning in blinding rage I shoved the microwave off the cupboard. I continued to push everything that was on the island to the floor. Smashing my fists onto the island, I let out a roaring scream.

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