Page 47 of Auctioned to the Bratva

I nodded as he returned his gun to his side holster. “I suggest you also get a holster at some point,” he added. “It’s easier and safer than walking with it by your side. You might shoot your foot off that way.”

Ivan grunted at Roman, but I didn’t find his comment very funny. I understood that carrying my gun in my pants may not be a good idea. But at the moment, it was all I could do.

As we neared the parked cars, we slowed down. Looking back, I saw some of the cars behind us turn down a side street, and others turn up.

“Is this it?” I asked, reaching for the door handle.

“Slow down there Sergei,” Roman said, pushing my hand back. “Let the men make sure, you don’t want to go barging in where there is no fire brother.”

“Sorry, you’re right,” I replied wiping sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. My stomach was in a tight knot. My mind was trying to make me see things that weren’t there, and I had to fight to keep it from strolling down coo-coo street.

One of the cars that were behind us came out on the other side of the warehouse where the cars were parked. They flashed their lights at us. “This is it,” Roman said as we parked on the corner.

As we peeled out of the car, Roman grabbed my arm. “Please stay behind us until it is safe. We will make way for you.”

I nodded and allowed the family to move out before me. Burning inside, I wrestled with myself to control my legs. They had a movement of their own and my heart a pull I had never felt before. I watched the guards shove the doors aside, and the family poured into the building.

Following close behind Roman I stepped in through the doors scanning the room. Bullets were already flying in all directions. Some of our guards went down as I tried to lock onto Irina through the chaos.

Pausing just inside, I watched as the family started to spread to the sides, gunning down Caleb’s grew as they moved. People were moving around like ants on fire.

A trail of bodies formed down the middle as men were hit and blood streaks scattered the air. As they cleared my view, I saw her. Locking eyes on her, I saw he was there standing behind her.

Caleb’s face filled with bewilderment as our eyes met. He was positioned behind her with his filthy hand perched over her shoulder touching her breast.

Irina’s shirt was open, and she was soaked, shivering from the cold. There was a sudden surge through my veins as a fire within took hold. My vision narrowed as blackness invaded it, all my thoughts flew out the door.

Silence filled my mind as I rushed forward. Nothing Roman had said made sense anymore. There was no controlling the fury that burned with intent inside my mind and body. Flying across the room, there was only one thought.

Kill the bastard and save my woman I thought, leaping over the men dropping before me. My weapon was aimed and true to its target. There was no other way this time. “Here, today this was going to end,” I heard myself scream as I stopped before Irina.

Caleb straightened himself out as I aimed my gun at his head. His arm reached under his jacket into the holster holding his gun. “Not today,” I screamed as his arm came forward, and I squeezed the trigger.

Bullets flew from my gun, and I felt the recoil pulling at my shoulder. I stood firm and held my aim emptying the clip. Each bullet hit the target sending blood splattering all over, but I didn’t care. I was seeing black, and this was the end for Caleb. I would make sure there was no saving him this time.

The clip clicked and clicked as the bullets ran out. I watched as Caleb sank behind the chair. His eyes had goneglossy as his life left him. His chest looked like a sift with all the holes I had put in it.

Reaching down, my hand found the spare clip and I reloaded the gun without any thought. I felt a firm hand on my shoulder as reality set in. I shook my head trying to return to the situation. “Sergei,” Roman spoke behind me. “It’s almost over, brother. Get Irina out of here.”

I glanced over my shoulder, nodding my head as everything started to return. The room came into view and before me sat the desire of my life. Her complexion had turned white, and the shivering appeared to have calmed down.

Shoving the gun into my belt, I knelt and pulled at the ropes holding Irina’s feet. Once they were out of the way, I untied her hands and picked her up into my arms. No, my mind shrieked as my heart stopped for a second. She was limp in my arms and cold as ice.

I stood for a second, my mind filling with the worst ideas as I waited for her to breathe. Feeling her chest lift against mine I exhaled deeply and turned swiftly, wanting to head out the door.

As I looked up, I saw Leo standing on the inside of the door shoving me to come to him. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement behind him. Focusing, I saw two men aiming at him from behind some barrels.

Shifting Irina’s weight into one arm, I pulled my gun, aimed, and took the shot. The first man went down like a fire doused with water. The second glanced at me before scurrying away into the shadows.

Roman and Ivan headed in his direction as I made my way to Leo at the door. There were so many men covering the floor of the warehouse it was sickening. More gunshots rangthrough the air, and I was sure they had found him as Ivan and Roman came back around the barrels.

Leo thanked me for saving his life as he made sure we got to one of the cars safely. He sent us home with two extra guards just in case. I held Irina tight as we sped through the streets reaching home quickly.

The guards assisted me inside and I headed upstairs with her. Entering our room, I laid her down gently on the extra-large bed. I pulled the spare blanket over her and sat down staring at her porcelain face. I softly rubbed her arms and legs hoping her color would return soon.

She only woke slightly during our ride home. She glanced up at me and said my name before slipping away again. But now here in our room, she looked peaceful where she lay sleeping.

I hoped she knew she was safe and back home. Pushing a strand of hair from her soft face, I bit my lower lip. I could have lost her, I thought. Glancing around the room I breathed in deeply, wiping at the tear that escaped my eye.

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