Page 13 of Caged

The thought of my little brother being in the hands of that savage asshole Ivan makes me sick to my stomach.

It took me two days before I could close my eyes and not keep hearing his screams of pain.

They had to drag me out fighting.

My tongue tests out the split in my lip. It’s finally healing over. A lasting reminder of the ring on Ivan’s hand.

I watch Nikolai’s broad back, the muscles exposed through the tears in his tight T-shirt.

He’s a monster.

A brute.

And I have to get closer.

“Mila, your contact is requesting a meet,” Tyler sighs. “You’re gonna have your hands full with this mark.”

I can see every inch of it.

“On my way.” Following my footsteps, I retrieve the yellow bike and let Tyler lead me to the rendezvous.

“Are we good with plan B?” I ask Ty as I get off my Kawasaki.

“All set up. A whole new identity is ready for you. I’ll send all the details across now. Remember it, to the letter.”

“Got it,” I reply, cutting the call.

A dark haired man with narrow eyes leans against the corner of the building with the newspaper tucked under his left arm.

The prearranged signal.

I wonder if he has KGB ties. That’s an old school tell.

These guys, you can always spot the ones who’ve been in the Bratva for generations. They’ve picked up the habits of their enemies.

“Looks like rain.” I give him the code phrase.

Again, straight out of an old government playbook.

The man squints and takes a long slow stare up and down my body.

I regret wearing the tight leathers and tank top for riding in his heat.

He spends way too much time staring at my chest before his mouth twitches beneath his trimmed beard.

“Follow me.” Turning on his heel, he leads me through the coffee shop to a small room in the back.

Shutting the door, he unbuttons his jacket before sitting.

He better know I could kill him twenty three ways without breaking a sweat.

Crossing his leg, he makes a show of unfolding his paper.

“My name is Kirill. This came in today for you.” He tosses a photo down, showing my brother with an extended hand.

It’s missing the ring finger as well.

I grab the polaroid and ball it up before throwing it back into the man’s face. “You show me this and expect me not to want to end you?”

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