Page 25 of Owned By the Bratva

Mila and Konstantin exchanged a look before she replied a little coldly. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Turning to Konstantin, I begged, hearing my voice breaking as I was on the verge of breaking out in panicked cries. “Please, please take me to see him.”

I noticed Mila shaking her head but kept my focus on him. Konstantin rubbed the back of his neck again before speaking. “On one condition.”

“Anything, you name it,” I replied, feeling slightly relieved.

“You need to stay calm, listen to us, and not make a scene, okay?”

Sliding off the chair, I nodded as I agreed. I could be quiet and behave. After all, it wasn’t like he was my husband, even though I had developed strong feelings for him. Swallowing the mass in my throat, I waited for orders.

I followed Konstantin outside as I would be riding with him. He unlocked his blood-red Mustang and opened the passenger door for me. Before I could get in, Mila grabbed hold of my arm.

“Remember, life isn’t merely black and white,” she said before letting go and heading to her bike.

I wasn’t sure what she was trying to convey at that moment. But I didn’t care much either. My mind was focused on getting to Leon. I sank into the Mustang’s puffy seat and felt it hug me like an old lost friend. Konstantin jumped in the other side and started her up. As we drove out, I rolled down the window, needing to feel the cool wind on my face.

We drove quite a distance, Mila on her bike just before us. As we pulled into a large parking area, glancing around, I wondered what we were doing here. It wasn’t a hospital but a gambling den, the sign read.

“Aren’t we going to the hospital?” I asked, feeling my nerves eating at me.

Konstantin parked next to Mila’s bike, which was close to the back. As we got out, I saw Leon’s truck and had to swallow back the new wave of tears threatening to flow like rivers. Wiping my eyes, I saw Piotr coming out a door on the side of the building.

“He’s not at a hospital. He’s here,” Konstantin said as he moved towards Piotr.

I followed in silence, worried about the kind of care he would receive at such an establishment. Glancing around as we neared the door, I noticed some guards walking around the parking area. They were carrying weapons, and one was speaking on a radio.

I thought that surely they knew what they were doing as Piotr greeted us and held the door open.

“Pass the kitchen and head up the stairs; they settled him in room 103,” he said, giving me a soft nod and grin.

I followed closely with Mila walking in front, then Konstantin and me. Piotr followed behind us as we moved through the building. The hallway was dimly lit, but the white walls reflected the light nicely.

Moving past the kitchen he mentioned, I saw about ten people preparing meals. As we passed, the air filled with the most delectable smells, and I felt my stomach turning. Hunger was the least of my worries; I was eager to get to Leon and see if he was okay.

Moving up a circular stairway, the delicious odors were quickly replaced by something else. My nostrils burned as we moved into another hallway. It was a mix of cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and something I didn’t recognize. It had a similar odor to a hospital but not quite the same.

Mila and Konstantin were now walking next to each other. I kept behind Konstantin as we neared a room with two guards and a woman standing before the door.

“Hi guys, good to see you. Just sorry it had to be under these circumstances,” the woman said as she pulled Mila into a hug and then Konstantin.

“How’s he doing?” Mila asked, glancing back at me. Her eyes were narrowed, and her stare seemed to scream for me to stay calm.

Had I not already agreed, I thought as I nodded at her.

But instead of answering Mila, the woman moved sideways, looking at me as she spoke. “And who’s this?”

Konstantin moved out of the way, turning slightly toward me as he replied. “This is Cindy. Cindy, this is Jamie.”

“Leon’s Cindy?” she inquired, holding out her hand to me and looking at Konstantin.

Konstantin smiled at me as he replied. “Yes, the one.”

I tried grasping all that was happening. But my mind was still struggling with Leon being injured and the vibe Mila had been giving off all morning.

Reaching out, Jamie took my hand. But instead of shaking it, she hugged me warmly and whispered in my ear. “Nice to finally meet you.”

Feeling a bit bewildered but welcome, I gave her a gentle smile. “Thanks, how’s Leon?”

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