Page 55 of Innocently Imprisoned By the Bratva

"Hey, Lilah," I say casually, trying to keep the worry from my voice. "Let's pick up the pace, okay? I don't want your dad to worry about you being out so late."

"Okay," she agrees, stumbling along beside me as we quicken our pace.

I glance around, searching for any signs of a tail. My heart pounds in my chest as I spot a figure lurking in the shadows, their gaze fixed on us. There's no doubt about it now—we're definitely being followed.

"Listen, Lilah," I say urgently, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need you to trust me. We're being followed, and I think we should take a different route home."

She looks at me with wide, frightened eyes but nods her agreement. I guide her down a side street, hoping to lose our pursuer. But as I glance back over my shoulder, I see that they're still there, doggedly keeping pace with us.

"Who would be following us?" Lilah whispers, terror in her voice.

"I don't know," I lie. In truth, I have my suspicions, but I don't want to scare her further. Right now, all that matters is getting both of us to safety.

I slip my hand into my pocket, pretending to search for something while I discreetly dial Lev's number. As the ringing starts, I keep up a stream of light conversation with Lilah, doing my best to maintain a sense of normalcy and calm her nerves.

"Hey, so have you ever had a class with that Professor Martin?" I ask with a forced laugh, hoping to distract her from our situation.

"Ugh, he’s awful!" Lilah exclaims.

"Definitely," I agree, feeling a little guilty for using her like this. But there's no time for remorse when our safety is at stake.

"Hello?" Lev's voice comes through, and I quickly end the call and send him my location.

This is our code for emergencies.

"Hey, Lilah," I say gently, gripping her arm. "Some friends of mine are coming to pick us up. Just stay close to me, all right?"

"Okay," she nods, her trust in me both touching and terrifying.

We keep walking, every second stretching on like an eternity as the shadowy figure continues to trail us. Finally, we reach the main road and I hear the roar of an engine approaching. Relief washes over me as I spot Lev's sleek black car.

"Get in!" Lev shouts, the car barely slowing down as he pulls up beside us. I grab Lilah, about to shove her in first, when behind her a man shouts, “Lilah, no!”

Lilah stops and turns back, confused. “Wait, Yaroslav?”

Just then, vehicles start closing in on us from the bend around the corner. More men exit from some of the cars, running toward where Lilah and I stand.

“Get in the car, Pippa,” Lev shouts. “Leave the girl. It’s Lenny’s guys.”

I immediately let go of Lilah and jump into the car while Lev floors the accelerator, rocketing us away from our pursuers. The men get back in their cars and begin chasing us.

I look in the rearview mirror and watch as Lilah stand there confused. The man following us catches up with her. I watch him examine her face, her arms, her legs, making sure she’s alright.

Lev drives off, speeding in the direction of his house.

"Lev, what's going on?" I ask, confusion and fear written across my face.

“It was a ploy. Lenny must have his guards stationed on his daughters. She looked innocent enough, but her guard must have tipped him off. They were coming for you, Pippa.”

I sit there, ashen-faced at the realization that I almost got kidnapped again. Not only that, I ruined the Zolotovs plan.

Behind us, the Zolotov security cars catch up. They deal with Lenny’s fleet while we drive off to the safety of Lev’s home.

Chapter 21 - Lev

I hold Pippa close and watch her chest rise and fall as she sleeps, her hair fanned out around her beautiful face. My heart clenches in a way it never has before. What if I hadn't reached her in time? The thought of losing her to Lenny's guys makes me rage at the events that unfolded tonight.

Had this happened with anyone else, I would have stayed put and fought off those guys guns blazing. My men were nearby. We had backup. But I was so petrified that Pippa could get injured in the line of fire that I disregarded that idea and rushed home with her.

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