Page 13 of Hostage of the Bratva

“She’s been here since before we opened. She insisted on waiting.” The barman added.

“Now, now, Luder,” Ashan prompted as he took my arm and dragged me to the club entrance. “Let’s not keep her waiting any longer.”

I was sure Ashan had gone insane. He knew me better than this. He knew I would never bring a girl into the picture or give out details about the family and the club. It was impossible that she was here to see me. We had to move, there was business to take care of, I didn’t have time for this.

“Let her wait, Ashan,” I protested, trying to pry his hand from me. “We have more important things to do brother.”

“No, no, a man doesn’t let a woman wait. Where’s your manners?” he spoke harshly as we moved to the door.

Ashan wouldn’t let it go, so I willingly went in to get this sorted so we could leave. Ashan was close on my heels as we entered the club. The barman pointed to a table just inside thedoor to the left. As my eyes adjusted to the lighting, I froze. Could it be, was that her?

Ashan shoved me forward, almost sending me tumbling to the floor. Stepping forward, she turned and looked at me. It was her. Skyler was sitting there waiting for me. Glancing over my shoulder, I raised my hand and showed Ashan to stop.

“No, Ashan, wait outside,” I spoke, giving him a warning glare.

He froze on the spot, knowing better than to pursue me anymore, and stepped back. “I’ll get you outside,” he said. “Don’t take too long, though.”

I nodded and turned my attention back to Skyler. My heart was beating at my ribcage, and I felt my blood starting to boil. Pushing my hand through my hair as I stepped up to the table, I wondered why she was there. No, my mind screamed. How did she find you? That was the most important question.

Yes, that was more important as she could actually be part of the enemy, I thought. Thinking back to the getaway, she did seem awfully concerned about Mathieu when I shot him.

“Hello, Skyler,” I said as I sat down opposite her, staring into her eyes. There was something different about her, she seemed to be glowing in the dark light of the club. My heart started pounding in its confines, her eyes were filled with a penetrating passion I had not seen before.

Sweat formed in my palms as the beast within wanted more of her. I shifted in my chair, feeling a wave of heat passing over me. Her sweet aroma again filled my lungs, and my mind flashed back to the warehouse. Closing my eyes for a second, I could taste her sensuous lips.

The chemistry we had at that moment was incredible. She was a wild one; shaking my head, I fought to clear the images from my mind. I had to focus. This wasn’t the time or place for such things.

It took me six weeks to get her out of my mind, and now she was back. I felt sure I was being punished for something.

“Hi, Luder,” she replied softly, her lips moving slowly. “You are a hard man to find, you know.” Her voice was laced with a sensuality my body craved.

The smile on my lips vanished as I remembered I needed to know how she found me.

“You weren’t supposed to find me at all,” I said, straightening up. “May I know how you happen to come upon my connection to this club?” I spoke, clearing my throat. Maybe I was the leak, I wondered. Yet, I was sure I had not said anything to her that could have revealed my identity.

Chapter 8 - Skyler

“Well,” I started saying as I glanced around before leaning over the table. I grabbed hold of his dark blue tie, pulling him closer as I continued in a whisper. “That’s not important, Luder. I’m just here to let you know that I’m pregnant.” I calmly spat the words out and sat back, studying his reaction.

Luder’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “You’re what?” he replied in a raised voice as he rose from the table. Once the words had left his mouth, he must have realized he was almost screaming. He glanced around. The staff had all stopped what they were busy with and were looking at us.

“Wait, wait a minute,” he said as he walked around the table and pulled me up by my arm. “Come with me. We need to talk privately.”

The cleaners and waiters preparing before opening the doors whispered between each other. I sensed their cold eyes on me and wondered why I felt like the culprit. After all, I didn’t do anything wrong. I simply wanted him to know.

We walked towards the far side of the bar. There was a passage with a sign hanging from the roof. The sign indicated two bathrooms and an office down the hallway. I felt his grip tighten as we moved down the passage.

“Stop,” I said, glancing back as I tried to stop by pulling backward. Instinctively, I tried to loosen his grip on my arm as fear of what may come invaded my mind. “It’s quiet enough right here; if you want to talk, talk, but I’m not going into a back room with you.”

Luder stopped and looked at me. “Really,” he said, letting me go and lifting his arms in the air. “What do you think of me?” he asked, leaning in to look me in the eyes. His face told a story of pain and hurt. I actually felt sorry for him but couldn’tsay why. His change of attitude made me uncomfortable but also gave a tingling sensation down my back.

I didn’t comprehend what was happening to me. I rubbed my arm where he held me, I was sure his hold was going to leave a mark. “I don’t…” I replied. “What am I supposed to think?” I added as he stepped closer, pushing up against me.

Pushing him back and looking down, I continued before he could get a word in. “I found out who you were tied to on the internet and then you started dragging me down a dark passage after I told you why I’m here. So, what would you have me think?”

He let out a soft chuckle as he gently took me by the shoulders and pulled me closer. Placing his hand under my chin, Luder softly raised my head. “I’m sorry if I scared you.” He said, looking at me with a slight smile on his lips. “I just wanted some privacy where the whole world wouldn’t know what was happening. This is a big thing, you know.”

I pulled my head out of his hand and looked to the side, feeling a bit guilty, thinking he was about to get rid of his problems. After the time we spent together, however short it was, I should have known.

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