Page 46 of Owned By the Bratva

Turning back to her, I continued as more ideas came to mind. “No, we don’t but we do know where their focus will be, and we’re the next targets.”

Just then, Piotr joined Mila in the kitchen. “I’ve made an appointment with Ashan; I’m sure they can assist.”

“Right,” I said, holding the door open. “I’m coming with you.”

Piotr nodded at Mila and walked out the door. “We can take your truck, less issues of driving separate vehicles,” Piotr said as he walked with me.

Nodding, I got in and started her up. I felt anger and despair as we drove to the gambling den. But I knew if anyone could help, it would be Ashan.

We found him and Jamie upstairs, where we had our last meeting. Ashan ordered us drinks, and we sat down with them.

“Okay,” he said. “Let me know if the detail I have is correct. I understand from Jamie that Mila said Kiera is the daughter of one of our rivals, and they have taken Cindy?”

“Yes, I believe so,” I replied hastily.

“Slow down, brother,” Piotr said, squeezing my arm.

Ashan glanced at Jamie before continuing. “I am sorry, Leon. I know how it feels; believe me, it takes a lot to stay focused. But you have to. If you want to save Cindy, you must be one hundred percent, you hear me.”

Nodding, I swallowed my words as I wanted to scream at them. I knew it wasn’t their doing. It was mine. But I was determined to save her and would do whatever Ashan wanted.

“Right, we will do a search and see what we can come up with. We can only assist to a point, though.” Ashan added.

“We appreciate any form of help, thank you,” Piotr said, rising. He pulled on my jacket, and I stood up, unsure why we were leaving as I wanted to wait for the information.

“We’ll be in touch soon,” Ashan said as Piotr pushed me out of the gazebo.

Piotr nodded and headed for the stairs, pulling me along with him. Glancing back as we reached the stairs, I saw Ashan and Jamie also heading out. “Why are we leaving? Can’t we wait for the details?” I inquired, pulling back from Piotr.

He stopped, turned to me, and took hold of my shoulders as he spoke. “No, give them time and space to do their thing. I know you want to move, but all operations take time, you know that, Leon.”

I did know, but it felt like time was standing still. Lowering my head, I breathed in deeply. Piotr tapped my shoulder and moved down the stairs. Following him down and out, I kept replaying everything that happened. If I’d been early, I could have prevented this. I should have asked Mila to stay with her. Getting into my truck, I slammed the steering wheel. I should have protected her.

“Hey, calm down, brother,” Piotr said, getting in. “We’ll get her back safely.”

His words weren’t calming, but I started the truck and drove back to the mansion. The rest of the day was a blur. It was only in the early morning hours of the next day that I snapped out of the trancelike state I had fallen into.

I was sitting on the veranda, blowing the steam from my cup of coffee when Mila came out smiling at me. “Ashan came through, we know where she is.”

Her words had barely left her mouth before I was up and headed in, shouting back at her. “Where, where is she?”

Mila followed closely. Piotr and Konstantin were in the kitchen, strapping their weapons as we entered. Picking up one of the guns displayed on the counter, I checked the clip and cocked it before shoving it into my belt. Turning to Mila, I spoke louder. “Where is she, Mila?”

“We’re all going. Just give us a second, brother,” Piotr spoke from behind me.

I waited impatiently, tapping my toes for them to finish. Mila and Piotr took their bikes. Konstantin and I followed in his Mustang as we drove to the address Ashan had sent.

Chapter 27 - Cindy

Coming too, I kept my eyes shut as I heard voices around me. My head was throbbing, and my memory was a bit foggy. I tried to recall the last thing I remembered. Thinking made the pulsing increase, but I pushed through it.

I had vague images scrambling through my mind. I knew I was waiting for Leon and looking at antiques or something. Then there were flashes of a van and someone holding me up in the air. That was the last thing I remembered.

My hands and feet felt like they were tied up. The surface I was lying on was soft and had to be a couch or bed. Blinking, I tried to open my eyes just enough to see. It looked like a large storage room with boxes and pieces of furniture everywhere. Most items were stacked to the sides and appeared to extend quite far to both sides.

Men were walking around with big guns dressed mostly in black as if on patrol. “Boss, boss, she’s awake.” I heard one of the men saying. Glancing around, I saw a man taking on a radio.

There was a horrible grrrr sound before a booming voice came loudly back over the radio. “Thanks, Clause. Ms. Kiera will be down shortly.”

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