Page 53 of Hostage of the Bratva

Skyler flung her arms around my neck and kissed me long and hard. “That was so exhilarating,” she said. “I feel so much better. We have decided to do this every week if that will be okay?”

Smiling, I nodded at her. It was time to call Roman. I confirmed that the premises were ready.

“Right,” I spoke as we all walked to the door. “It’s time to go; we’ll see you later?” I added, shaking Sergei's and Leo’s hands.

After agreeing to a get-together at Sergei and Irina’s place, we left later. Skyler was shifting in her seat as I drove slowly along. Her anticipation must be killing her, but I was enjoying tormenting her a little.

“Can’t we go faster,” she asked as I stopped longer than needed at a stop sign.

Grinning at her, I replied, dragging out my words. “I suppose we could try.”

“Luder,” she said in a pitched voice.

“Okay, okay, I’ll go a little faster, but there is a child in the car,” I replied as she was about to pounce me out of excitement.

I had been going up and down the streets delaying the trip. Turning down towards the beach, Skyler looked at me pushing her lips out and bringing her eyes together.

“Are we going home, is it at home?” she inquired.

Laughing, I replied softly. “No, it’s not, but it is close by.”

Skyler's mouth fell open as she pushed her jaw down. “Really, and we’ve been driving up and down all this time.”

“I was exploring the area,” I replied.

About two blocks from the house, I pulled up to large Iron gates and pressed the horn. The gates opened slowly, and I pulled in, before us lay the massive building with its two glass sliding doors.

“What’s this? Where are we?” Skyler questioned as I got out and moved to open her door.

Holding out my hand, she took it and got out. Standing side by side, I grinned at her. “Skyler,” I started turning her to face me. “This building symbolizes the start of something truly great.”

She glanced at the building and then back at me. “Okay, so what is it?”

I turned her to face the building stepping in behind her. Leaning forward as I wrapped my arms around her, I whispered. “This is yours, for your own animal rescue center. Or whatever you want to do with it.”

Skyler looked at me, her lovely eyes wide. “Mine?” she uttered. I could hear her voice disappearing as reality setin. “Mine?” she shouted, running towards the doors. She was bouncing up and down before the doors as she turned, beaming at me.

Grabbing our son from the car, I walked over. I nodded in agreement before handing her the keys. Skyler fumbled at the lock and pushed the doors open. She ran into the vast openness of the entrance and reception area.

I had decided to leave this room empty so she could do the décor to her licking. “Skyler,” I said, walking to her where she was turning in circles, screaming excitedly.

Stopping her turns and taking her into my arms I whispered into her ear. “We’re not alone.”

“What,” she protested, pushing me back and looking around.

To each side of the reception area were three doors. To the back was another set of double glass doors leading out to the backyard. Skyler walked forward towards the glass doors when the side doors all opened.

“Surprise,” the family shouted together as they stepped into the room.

Skyler’s hands flew up to her mouth as she looked from one to the other. Her face turned crimson as her earlier action dawned on her. On one side, we had Roman, Sergei, and Leo with their better halves. On the other side were Ivan, Nikolai, and Aleksei with their wives.

From the back, Yuri came in with Oleg, the father of the family. It was the first time she met so many at once. Skyler grabbed hold of my arm as I turned to introduce her to everyone. I began with Oleg, who was thrilled to finally meet her.

Skyler suddenly appeared shy as she hung on my arm while we made a round through the room. Once all the introductions were done, the family gathered outside at the back where they had set up a big lunch for everyone.

Roman and Karine led Skyler and me through the other rooms while Sam looked after the children. There were three consultation rooms, an observation room, and a kennel room. The kennel room was fitted with large areas closed in to keep sick animals overnight. Plus, there was a kitchen.

In each consultation room was a table, a soft and hard table to be used for examinations, and some storage cabinets. The storage in each room included one normal and one cold to keep the medicines in.

---