Page 13 of Owned By the Bratva

She shook her head, stood, and placed the cup on the tray before speaking again. “I’m tired. Do you mind?”

Standing, I placed my cup down as well. She hadn’t even drunk half the cup, but I wouldn’t push. So, I collected the tray and headed for the door. Before leaving, I turned back. “I am sorry, doll,” I said again.

She faintly smiled at me and nodded. “Good night, Leon.”

“Good night, Cindy. May your rest be peaceful,” I replied, closing the door and locking it again before returning to the kitchen.

The others had all left. Placing the cups in the sink and filling them with water, I sighed deeply. Maybe tomorrow will bring the answers. I thought as I went to my room.

Sleep came quickly, but my dreams were plagued with uncertainty. I awoke not feeling rested but upset at what I didn’t know.

Chapter 9 - Cindy

It was just past seven when Leon knocked on the door. After washing and dressing, we headed to the kitchen, where breakfast was being prepared. Mila smirked as I greeted them.

“No, be nice, we talked about this,” Piotr said.

Konstantin was chopping onions and tomatoes. While Leon poured us each a cup of coffee, I walked over to the table and offered to assist. But before anyone could reply, he spoke, handing me a cup. “I promised to show you around. Follow me, doll.”

Leon placed an arm around my waist and gently pushed me back to the stairs. I noticed Konstantin shaking his head as we left the room. Leon led me to the library and showed me his office. When we returned to the kitchen, breakfast was ready. We sat down to a lovely meal of sausages, eggs and toast.

As we ate, the four people around me appeared to be talking in code, as I couldn’t understand half of what they were talking about. Then Piotr looked at me. “You from around here?” he asked politely.

The first two times I met him, he wore long sleeve shirts. But this morning, he was in a simple black t-shirt. His arms were covered in tattoos. The one on his left arm was a snake curling from his shoulder to his hand. The snake's head lay on the top of his hand, and in the open curves of the snake were skulls and bones.

The sunlight beaming through the big kitchen windows gave his eyes a gray hue. Piotr’s longish dark hair was tied back loosely. He was a muscular man but not as tall as Leon.

“Grew up in a small town to the north but finished college here before starting my job at the lab,” I replied nervously as I felt everyone’s eyes on me.

Piotr nodded vaguely and continued eating. After breakfast, Leon and I did the dishes. He took me to the library, leaving me while taking care of some business. I sought out a good horror and was astonished by the collection. Once I had gone through about nine backs, I found one that intrigued me.

I had barely read a couple of chapters when Leon entered. “Almost time for lunch. You hungry?” he asked in a cheery voice.

“Yes, thanks,” I replied, closing the book. “Can I keep the book for a bit?”

“Sure, you can put it in the room and read it later.”

After we stopped at the room I now lived in, we joined the others in the kitchen.

Mila and Piotr were setting down the plates and cutlery on the island. A platter of cheeses, tomatoes, bagels, and other vegetables was already spread out. Konstantin was standing at the stove heating bangers. On the counter next to him was a cutting board with chicken, which I presumed needed to be cut and fried.

Stepping to his side, I picked up the knife, glancing at him as I spoke. “May I?”

He smiled and nodded at me. I had only cut a few pieces when I felt Leon stepping in behind me. “You are our guest,” he said, taking the knife from my hand and placing it on the board. “Come let me show you around the garden.” He added as he pulled me around and took my hand.

Leon gave Konstantin a strange look, though. It almost seemed that he was angry. “But I want to help.” I protested as he pulled me out through the double glass doors.

I couldn’t decide if he was annoyed at me as his tone fluctuated too much as he replied. “No, no, no, another time perhaps.”

His grip on my hand was firm but gentle as he held it while showing me the garden and pool area. “The sooner you get the lay of the land, the easier you will settle, sweetness,” Leon added in a calmer tone. I felt the tension between us rising, but I was getting used to it. He didn’t call me doll this time and that made me wonder if his feelings were changing.

The estate was quite extensive. By the side door lay a reasonably large veranda with seating, a bar area, and an entertainment section leading to the pool. Further back and to the sides were lawn cascades dotted with a variety of flowers. These ended in rows of trees. It was like a forest surrounding the property.

As we came around the house, I noticed Piotr and Mila bringing the food out to the patio. Konstantin was standing to one side with a drink in his hands. This was on the opposite side of the house. The double glass doors on this side led into the lounge area.

Leon pulled out a chair for me and sat down next to me. As previously, Piotr sat at the head of the oval-shaped table, and Mila and Konstantin sat across from us.

Once everyone had dished up, Piotr spoke, looking inquisitively at Leon. “How’s the progress coming? Do you know time is running out?”

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