Page 36 of Hostage of the Bratva

“Mathieu, what have you gotten yourself into?” I inquired as I joined him on the bench. “Look at the mess you’ve made lately.”

He looked at me as if the cat had dragged me in. “Me,” he spat. “What about you? How could you?”

“It wasn’t as if I had planned it, you know,” I replied, feeling my stomach turning. “It wasn’t what I wanted, but this is where we are now. Aren’t you even a little excited for me?”

Mathieu focused on me as he took my hand. “I am, but this situation is not ideal. I’m sure you can see that, can’t you?” he spoke softly, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

“I want to know when you started working for these people and why?” I said angrily. “This isn’t you, what happened to you. Mother would disapprove.”

Mathieu shook his head. “This isn’t important, Skyler. You need to listen to me.” He stood looking around anxiously. “I only wanted to keep you safe, I promise.”

Feeling confused and unsure of what he was rambling about, I shook my head and lifted my hands into the air. “Stop, what are you talking about? I am safe. Oh, and by the way, I am also married now.” I finished holding out my hand for him to see the beautiful ring.

Mathieu’s face fell as I spoke, and he looked at my hand. His mouth dropped open. There was a glimmer in his eyes as he looked into mine. I had seen that look before, but I couldn’t place it. “No,” he replied as anger flooded his composure. “This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be.”

He turned away from me, stomping his foot on the ground, clenching his fists. “This is all wrong now,” he spat at the air, lifting his head.

“What do you mean?” I asked softly, unable to comprehend what was going on with him. “Mathieu, what is going on, what do you mean?”

As he turned back, I saw his face was red, the veins in his neck stood out as anger seemed to have taken over. The last time I had seen him like this was with our mother’s death. The shockof his sudden change made me step back quickly. I felt the bench touching my thigh and sank back down.

“What is happening, Mathieu?” I whispered as dread filled my body. My heart started beating, and I felt hot. “Why do I feel like you did something you shouldn’t have?” As the words left my mouth, I picked up movement around us.

Before I could formulate another thought, we were surrounded by the men he worked with. Mathieu gave me a look that spoke of his regret before turning and walking back the way he came.

“Mathieu, Mathieu,” I called after him. I tried to run, becoming conscious of the fact that he wasn’t going to assist me, but there were too many of them. They captured me, gagged me, and tied my hands before loading me into a car with an elderly man.

“Good day, dear lady,” he said in a deep, calm voice as he studied me. “I’m Domique Anchony.” he added, waving at the driver to go.

I twisted and turned, trying to get out of the bounds while mumbling into the gag. How could my brother allow this to happen after everything, I wondered. Did he not care about me anymore? Recognizing that there was no way out, I gave up fighting the ties. I crumbled as my shoulders sagged and tears decorated my cheeks.

Mathieu wasn’t the man I grew up with. Somewhere something happened that changed him. If I only knew, yet, I felt sure it wouldn’t have benefited me in any way even if I knew. An intense feeling of sorrow filled me as we drove inland. Glancing out the window, I saw the ocean getting smaller behind me.

“Don’t worry,” the man next to me said. “You will not be harmed. Just stay calm and do as you are told.” He added, grinning.

His eyes were dark, and so was his complexion. The stench of his perfume, which was applied in overload, stung my nostrils and I wished to smell Luder's fresh ocean aroma. My stomach made a couple of turns as I remembered no one knew where I was going.

Softly, I tapped my head against the window, feeling all hope leave my body. Why did I do such a stupid thing? Why didn’t I take Bunny? I trusted my brother. I would never have thought he was capable of such things. He practically raised me and now he was the cause of my heartache. Maybe Luder was right; you couldn’t trust anyone.

Everything Luder had told me was true. How long have I been blind, I wondered. I trusted and loved him unconditionally, so much so that I couldn’t see anything wrong. We passed the yoga studio going further up. If I could find a way to get out of this predicament, I would find my way there. I was sure Luder would come looking, and he may consider the studio.

A couple of blocks up, the car slowed, and two large steel gates opened. The walls were about two stories high, and the house towered up into the air. Pulling up to the side, I saw the place was swarming with guards. All hope of escaping flew out the door as one of the guards opened to take me out.

Tears were streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks as despair settled in my mind and heart. As the guard carried me inside and stuck me in a room, I could only hope that Luder would eventually find me. I knew he wouldn’t give up, but at what cost? This was all Mathieu’s doing. I knew how Luder felt, he had just told me. And I would hold onto that to get through.

The room was dark blue, with only a single bed and chair inside. The lights were weak, barely illuminating the room. I tried to sit up on the bed, but the ties around my hands pushed into my wrists. Shifting back, I stopped moving and lay still, hoping the bounds would ease a little.

After all, I thought, staring at the door, Luder promised that nothing would ever happen to me or our child. Thinking of the last time I saw him. I remembered his sullen face. I wished I had stayed and not tried to do things my way. I was sure he would have allowed me to see Mathieu, but it would have been under safer conditions.

Chapter 23 - Luder

After sulking over my cup of coffee, I knew I had to pull myself together. I made a couple of calls following up with the family before sitting on the docks with Bunny. He ran around a bit and settled next to my feet, out of breath.

I took Bunny with me as I left, and I returned to Ivan’s club to assist with sorting things out. It relieved me from the stress caused by having her in my life the last couple of days.

Returning, I did feel better, though. I was waiting on the docks as the car pulled in. About time, I thought as I walked towards the car. She had been gone all day.

Even though I was overjoyed with the marriage and the baby on its way, I had some doubts. But once I had time to talk it out with Roman earlier, I felt a hundred percent better. I was ready to do this whole family set-up.

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