Page 48 of Hostage of the Bratva

“Hi,” Mathieu said, extending his hand in a greeting.

Stepping forward, I reached out and shook his hand as I spoke. “Morning, no hard feelings I take it.”

Mathieu glanced over his shoulder. “None from me and you?” he added looking back at me.

“This is Roman, Sergei, and Ashan,” I said, pointing to each, not bothering to answer him on that as I did still feel offended. “Take a seat, let’s talk,” I added as I sat back down in my seat.

Mathieu pulled out the chair next to Ashan and sat down. The darkness of the corner thickened with the stiffness in the air. Roman waved at the waiter for more coffee before taking his seat.

I could see on everyone’s faces that they were ready for anything. Once Mathieu had his coffee, I cleared my throat before speaking. “So, we have talked about it and are prepared to offer you a place within our ranks.”

Mathieu glared at me, lifted his cup, took a sip, and slammed it down. There was a sudden change in his posture as the cup hit the table. Rising, he spat at me from across the table. “You had no right to marry my sister and keep her from me.”

“What is wrong with you? We are here because of her, if not for her, you would’ve been dead already.” I inquired as I rose. All the men were standing around the table now.

Mathieu stepped back as the doors swung open and Domique entered. As we expected, he told his boss about the meeting. We would have to end this today, one way or another. At least, this time, we were prepared. Our men were present and informed.

“This is a private meeting Domique, you weren’t invited,” Roman called across the floor.

Laughing, he replied with a certainty in his voice I didn’t like. “Oh, but I was invited. Mathieu works for me, and a meeting with him is one with me.”

Glancing at Roman, I knew we would be acting soon. I stepped around the table towards Mathieu. “Look,” I stated,looking him in the eye. “We’re offering you this because Skyler asked, so either take it or leave as we won’t be offering it to you again.”

Mathieu grinned at me as he pulled his gun from the side holster. This wasn’t needed, but it was happening. Ashan and I bounced around the table as Sergei shoved it over. Bullets came flying towards us but we both made it behind the upturned table in time. Everyone knew not to shoot Mathieu unless it was your life or his.

Turning, we returned fire. Mathieu had also ducked behind a table closer to the door. This was good as we could try and miss him. We could hear the guards outside screaming at each other and doing their part. Inside, we were about to destroy the restaurant.

My heart sank knowing this was the third place since all of this started. I knew the family didn’t blame Skyler or me, yet I felt responsible. But knowing her brother was behind all of this must be eating her, and I wanted another outcome here today, for her.

A sharp sulfur smell filled the room with notes of ammonia. Glancing around the side of the table, I aimed at Domique, who had moved to Mathieu. I tried to not hit Skyler’s brother as that would not be suitable.

With the amount of noise, I felt sure we would have some other company soon, and this had to end quickly. Rising from my perch I took a couple of shots in different directions. Some of their men lay bleeding close to the door while some of our guards sat against tables and others lay at the doors.

It was a blood bath and couldn’t continue much longer as men fell around us. As I pulled the trigger, feeling the recoil of each shot, I could see Skyler in my mind's eye. I tapped Ashan on the shoulder; he knew what the signal was for.

As he rose, we stepped around the table, each pulling our second gun out. We lay down fire as we moved forward. The two-handed brothers. Glancing sideways, I noticed Roman and Sergei had also joined in. The four of us formed a line and shot bullet after bullet as we advanced on Domique and Mathieu.

Some of our guards had also cleared the front and entered through the door. There was nowhere to run, we had them cornered. Men were screaming around us as blood filled the air. The bodies fell left and right. We had to step over some as we moved.

A coppery smell combined with the ammonia hanging in the air. I felt it tickle my nostrils. The sneeze crept up and I knew it couldn’t be stopped. I felt a bullet grazing my arm as Ashan went down next to me.

Turning, I saw one of Domique’s men advancing from the side. Swinging my one hand out I shot straight between his eyes. No one shoots my brother and lives. Feeling the rush increasing, I turn my full attention to Domique. I turned just in time to see him rise aiming at Roman.

Judging the distance and men between us, I flung myself forward, squeezing both triggers. His body moved left and right as our bullets decorated his chest. Both Roman and Sergei had also seen his move. Yet, it was his last. As he breathed out his last breath going down next to Mathieu, I saw reality entering his eyes.

Mathieu rose, dropped his gun, and screamed out at the top of his voice. “Stop, stop, I give up.”

Roman raised his hand, and the guards stopped. There were only a couple of Domique’s men still standing, they also dropped their guns and raised their hands.

Holstering my guns, I ran to Ashan’s side. “Brother,” I breathed out as I lifted his upper body. “Are you okay?”

Ashan smiled as he coughed. “I’m fine,” he managed to say before passing out. Sergei made two calls and soon Ashan was on his way to the private hospital we frequented.

Ivan and some of the other family arrived shortly. They got there even before the ambulance to assist with the clean-up. The bullet hit Ashan in the shoulder, but Ivan was positive he would be fine.

The guards dragged the dead out back leaving trails of blood across the floor. Those with minor injuries were treated by the ladies as they arrived, and the others were sent to hospital.

Mathieu sat quietly at one of the tables as we cleared the place out. Roman nodded at me to try again. Mathieu looked up as I walked over. “Have you had enough?” I asked angrily.

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