Page 3 of Forced By the Bratva

“What?” I asked, hoping to sound surprised. “Never, I don’t know where you heard such things.”

Jones shook his head, mumbling some more as he walked away.

I stood for a bit, making sure he went all the way to the reception desk before turning and heading to the car. ‘I’m not staying. The quicker I can get this done, the quicker I can leave.’ I told myself as I went. ‘I have to escape before he figures out what I have done and are doing.’

The organ was on ice in a cooler, still in the boot. While I waited, I greeted the staff and patrons as they arrived. It was about half an hour before the organ buyer showed.

The tall, skinny man studied the organ before making a transfer for the payment and went on his way. As he pulled out, a young man in a hoodie approached me.

“Miss,” he said, standing a couple of feet away.

“Yes,” I replied, scanning the parking area. “Are you here for the item?”

The young man’s face lit up at my words, and he hurried towards me. I took the small box containing the war medal out of my pocket, offering it to him. He opened the box and peeked inside. Once he was pleased, he handed me an envelope of cash. I took the other money from my pocket and added it to the envelope.

This should be enough to keep me going for a couple of months until I can find work. Feeling pleased with myself, I turned to head back inside. First, I would put my money in my bag I thought.

But as I completed my turn to head back inside, Jones stepped out of the shadows. I felt my skin go cold and sweat covering it as I looked into his face. “What have we here?” Jones stated as he took hold of my arm and yanked the envelope from my hands.

“It’s not what you think! I was saving up for a gift!” I exclaimed. I hoped to convince him that it was for some other purpose than what I intended to use it for.

Jones said nothing as he dragged me through the corridor to the fighting pit. His silence was horrifying. I was used to him beating me and telling me what a useless piece of crap I was. But this, his silence. I had never seen this side of him in all my life. Swallowing the lump forming in my throat, I didn’t know what to expect. It wasn’t like him to not go off the deep side.

He stopped at the front desk and scanned the room. “What will we do with you?” he said in a strangely cheery tone.

Swallowing hard, I tried to find something I could use as a diversion to escape. Jones waved at one of the guards who hurried over to us. “Hold her here until I can decide what to do with her. Don’t let her out of your sight!” he ordered as he pushed me onto the couch.

He walked towards the bar area. I waited until he was far enough, and then I decided I would have to make a run for it. It was now or never. Glancing at the guard, I smiled and winked at him. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I said, rising from the couch.

After glancing at Jones, he nodded and allowed me to start walking. As we got to the start of the corridor, I heard Jones screaming from behind us. “Where are you going?”

Knowing I wouldn’t get another chance, I sprinted down the corridor. My heart was beating in my throat. I dared not think about what would happen if I got caught. Barging through the door leading to the parking lot, I had to stop. I hadn’t considered how I would get out.

Deciding I would have to hide until the hatch opened, I tried to find a safe place in the darkness behind some cars. I ducked down and held my breath, so I wouldn’t be heard. Then I saw the hatch opening and a car pulling in. Without looking around, I rose and started towards the opening.

I slipped and fell on the loose gravel. Before I could get up, a hand closed around my arm, and Jones pulled me to my feet. “Where do you think you’re going?” he shouted, towing me back inside.

“Bring a chair,” he yelled at a guard as we moved to the shadow side of the ring. Forcing me to sit, he continued to speak to the guard. “Tie her up and make sure she can’t get loose.”

“Please, Jones, please. I’m sorry.” I begged.

“Quiet, I want to hear no more from you!” He hissed before walking away.

The guard was one of the newer ones. Looking at him as he tied my feet, I tried to convince him not to tie me up. “Please don’t do this, please. Is there something I can give you to let me go?” I asked, smiling at him.

He barely looked at me as he answered. “Sorry, miss, just doing my job.” He tugged at the ropes around my feet, making sure they were tight, and then walked off.

I couldn’t believe my fate. I tried wiggling and shifting in my seat, hoping the ropes would loosen from all the movement, but they didn’t budge. ‘This was not how I had imagined today going.’ Glancing around, I felt my eyes burning. A tear pushed out of my eye and streaked down my cheek.

Jones took everything from me, my money, my freedom, my life. My head hung as the tears flowed through the open floodgates. I tried holding them back as much as possible. I held my breath, thinking of all he had done, trying my best to stay angry. But my heart was overflowing with sorrow, and it was harder than I had hoped.

With my hands tied, I couldn’t even wipe at them. I knew my eyeliner would be leaving black streaks down my face, but I no longer cared. I wanted out, anywhere, but here would be better.

One of the waitresses came over. She spoke softly as she bent down and wiped my cheeks. “He is a mean man.” She lifted my chin, and I nodded. “You want a sip of water?” she asked, holding a glass closer.

“Please untie me; the bounds hurt,” I said in a wavering voice.

“Sorry, hun, you know I can’t,” she replied.

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