Page 32 of Hostage of the Bratva

“I have done things that could make today look like child’s play,” he said. “However, with you and our child,” he smiled at me as he rose from the table. “I am willing to put it all aside and give you my all,” he added as he walked around to me, holding his hand out.

Placing my hand in his, Luder pulled me up and held me tight. “I promise not to lie to you or ever let anything happen to you or our child,” he whispered, kissing my cheek. “Until now, Ashan has been the only one able to control me in an outrage. But you seem to have the same hold.”

I embraced him tightly. He made me feel safe, and I needed that more than anything right now. We stood for a bit, just holding each other. After a while, he pulled back slightly and lifted my head in his hand.

“I don’t think we even ate with all that happened,” he commented.

Shaking my head, I replied, “No, we didn’t, but I don’t really feel hungry.”

“Even so, you must have something, I have some fruit, how about a salad?” he asked, walking to the fridge. Luder took out some berries, apples, and other fruit and made a salad with some cream added.

I have to admit, once I started eating, I could feel I was a bit hungry. After we ate, we took turns showering and got ready for bed. Luder held me in his arms with Bunny on the floor beside us. Sleep came quickly as my body relaxed.

Chapter 21 - Luder

Waking to gunfire was not what I wanted. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I noticed it was only two am. But I knew gunfire when I heard it. The noises outside became louder, and I could hear people screaming at each other.

The hand radio I had placed on the charger a week back started blaring. At first, it was only static. Getting up slowly so as not to wake Skyler, I moved to pick it up and dialed down the volume a bit.

“Who’s got the east side?” a voice screamed over the radio. I glanced back at Skyler, who was still sleeping, I noticed Bunny was sitting next to the bed with his ears lifted, making soft growling sounds. I placed my finger over my mouth and made a ‘shhh’ sound for him to quiet down. At least with him there, I felt sure no one would simply be able to take her.

Bunny lay back down as I left the cabin. Stepping out, I heard one of the guards calling for assistance by the gate. The air was filled with a strong sulfur smell and dust from all the gunfire. Something was wrong here, but I didn’t know what was happening. Stepping up to the docks, I saw headlights on the gate from about six cars and men running in all directions.

In the distance behind the gate, I heard Mathieu calling for the men to move through the gates and search all the yachts. I had to get Skyler out of here and quickly. “Protect the gate,” I spoke over the radio.

“Yes, we will do so, boss,” one of the guards spat back, sounding quite out of breath.

My yacht had an open line to sea but took a couple of minutes to get in gear, and once I started the engine, they would know where to go. “Can some of you find your way to two or three of the other yachts and start their engines?” I inquired over the radio. “I need to scramble our location.”

There were a couple of seconds of silence, even the gunfire seemed to have seized as I waited in anticipation for a reply. “Yes,” came three voices after each other, blaring through the radio.

“Thanks, men, see you on the other side,” I said as I headed back inside. Looking at the cabin door, I turned on the engine and waited for her to kick in. I heard two other yachts roar as their motors kicked in and knew it was time.

Turning the steering, I pushed the throttle up and allowed her to take off. As she moved out of the docks, the gunfire became much clearer. They were moving in quickly. Some of the bullets hit the control room windows and others somewhere on the outer sides before I heard Mathieu screaming at the men. “Don’t shoot the boat; my sister could be on it.”

I was glad we had installed bulletproof windows and sides. My boat was safe even if they shot at us. But Mathieu didn’t know that. I only hoped the men could keep them off the others.

Maneuvering her through the cove, I left the docks and entered the open waters, picking up speed. Once we were out of the cove, I called Sergei and Ashan to inform them of the developments. They assured me their men would assist in the docks within minutes.

Hearing a banging on the cabin door, I looked back at the docks. Feeling sure we were out of danger, I turned off the engine and allowed her to drift. “I’m coming, Skyler,” I called out, walking to the cabin door. With the engine off, I could hear Bunny howling softly from inside.

As I opened the door, Skyler came barging out. “What the hell,” she spoke in an angry tone seemingly to be bouncing everywhere. Bunny was on her heels and almost jumped me over.

“Slow down, hun,” I said pushing Bunny back gently. “I see you haven’t found your sailor feet yet,” I added, grabbing her. “We were being attacked and I had to get us out.”

Skyler’s eyes widened as I spoke. “What? By whom?” she asked, glancing around. “What are we doing out in the ocean?” she added, pulling out of my arms. But it seemed she had to bend over and push both her arms out to the sides for balance.

Taking hold of her again and pulling her into my arms, I walked back into the cabin. “It’s okay, we are safe out here,” I replied as we sat down on the bed. “I take it you’ve never been out to sea?” I inquired, smiling at her now pale complexion.

Skyler shook her head slowly from side to side as she placed her hands over her mouth. “I’ll get a bucket,” I said as I moved to the cupboard in the corner. Returning, I handed her a small bucket I kept for when friends got seasick.

“We’ll head back in a while. I’m just waiting for word from Sergei or Ashan. Just sit still, it will pass soon,” I added, walking back out to grab the radio. Dialing the volume back up a bit, I heard Ashan talking to the men. He had arrived so we could go back to shore, as I was sure the situation was contained.

Starting the engine and pushing the throttle, I called back to Skyler. “Sit tight, hun, we are going back in.” I heard her mumbling something before she started upchucking. I took the turn slowly and proceeded back through the cove. As I docked the yacht, the area was quiet.

On the docks stood Ashan and Sergei with our men all over the place. There were a couple of casualties, but it could have been worse. They were glad to see Skyler and me safe. “Good thinking,” Sergei said as I chucked the rope at them.

“I wouldn’t have gone but I needed to keep Skyler safe,” I replied, holding out my hand to Ashan. “Thank you again.”

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