Page 28 of Sheltering Hollis

Luka turned in the passenger seat. “For fuck’s sake. I thought you’d be in there forever. You two alright?” He looked us both over. At least he was worried. That gave me pleasure.

Grinning at him, I said, “We are fine. Did you think I’d let harm come to my malysh?” Brushing the hair from her shoulder, I enjoyed how pretty she blushed and how Luka growled at me.

“You should take this shit seriously, Dima. Maxim is furious that you’re fucking around, you know,” Luka spat.

That pissed me off. I liked Luka, and more than that, I wished we had an opportunity to form a different kind of friendship, but he hadn’t given me much of a chance.

In Russian, I ground out, “It’s too bad you’re running off and spouting tales to my brother every chance you get. Maybe if you were helping instead of on the phone, you’d be a little bit better at being Bratva and less of a pussy,” I said scathingly. I detested nothing more than a rat—especially a rat to my brother.

“He’s my pakhan. What am I supposed to do? I have orders,” Luka said helplessly.

“Find a middle ground,” I bit out. “Anyway. We have a meeting. Let’s go baby.” Hollis had been silent the whole time, listening to our argument in Russian while kneading the seat beside her with her hands. It made her nervous, which wasn’t my intention. So that had to stop immediately.

“Are you sure that you want to go? Be sure,” I asked.

“You’re taking her?” Luka ground out. I couldn’t even say that I blamed him for how he was reacting right now; if I were on his side of this equation, I would be equally pissed off.

“Shut the fuck up, or I’ll shoot you now, as is my right.” I narrowed my eyes on him. “My brother would not question your death in this fucking hell hole. I have lost my patience. Be respectful when speaking to her, or I will gut you. I am DONE.”

In English, he said to Hollis. “My apologies.”

She lifted her chin, a move that I’d grown attached to. Even though it quivered, and she bit her lip in a way that made me hard, she was trying to be brave. I admired that.

“No, I want to go.” Those hazel eyes flashed defiantly as she decided something, looking over my face.

“Alright, malysh. Let’s go kill someone then,” I said, winking at her. I could feel Luka’s disapproval from the other side of the car as I helped her back out. We were ten minutes late, but I knew Markovich would be there.

Threading our fingers together, I helped her over the curb. I could feel the tremble in her, from the tips of her fingers to her chin. I leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Just breathe for me, Hollis. Okay?”

I’d instructed Luka to circle around the back of the alleyway in case it was a trap. I wasn’t sure the mudak would do it, but it would be a pleasant surprise if he did his job just once.

Hollis took a deep breath, one of those that the girls in yoga took, holding it in and releasing it. Her tits looked amazing while she did it; way too good, if I was honest. Focusing, I stroked our joined hands down her cheek. “That’s right, malysh. Breathe.”

“I’m okay. Well, just a little nervous.” She gave me a sheepish grin and squeezed our joined hands.

“I’d be a little concerned if you weren’t.” I winked. “Don’t worry, baby, I’ll be your monster. That man waiting there in the dark doesn’t know yet he’s the victim.”

Her heels were sky-high, and the cobblestones in this section of the city were treacherous. The back alley loomed, dark and dangerous, flickering with mysterious puddles. She shivered next to me, but I squeezed her hand. This was a piece of cake—unless, of course, Markovich double-crossed me. He wouldn’t have the guts, though.

Sure enough, he was waiting in the dark with a paunchy man with brown hair frizzed by the humidity. His hands shook as they flicked a lighter for his cigarette. He obviously knew nothing about this was good for him. Back alleys weren’t a good sign. This must be Gregor. Mazarovich looked up at our footsteps.

“Ah, Mr. Volkov. This is who you wished to meet, as you requested. I’ll speak with you later?” He raised a hopeful eyebrow and moved to leave, obviously eager to be far away from what was about to happen. Gregor looked from him to us in confusion.

“Thank you, Anton,” I said, nodding to him. He’d be a kill for later. It’d be more efficient to kill them both here, but unfortunately, we would have to wait a few hours. I had plans for that.

I stepped forward, grabbing Gregor by the arm. He flinched at the contact, his head turning towards me, his cigarette falling to the ground, sizzling against the damp pavement as I struck, my knife burying into his side just enough to immobilize him. “Holy fuck!”

“Don’t move,” I cautioned.

“Who are you two? What’s going on?" he whimpered, angry but already defeated.

Hollis stepped up beside me into the light. When his gaze finally focused on her, a flicker of recognition crossed his face.

"You," he spat, his eyes narrowing. "What do you want from me?"

"We need information," I said, my voice steady. "About the doctor, about the clinic. You're going to tell us where it is.”

Gregor laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "And why would I do that? Do you think I’ll spill everything because you ask nicely?” he said sarcastically. “To you and this bitch?”

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