Page 29 of Forced By the Bratva

Smiling, I replied. “Good morning.”

I caught Mila staring at us. But before she could say anything, the doorbell rang. Piotr handed her the milk as he turned and headed to the front door. This is the hour of reckoning, I thought as I swallowed the lump suddenly stuck in my throat.

My palms suddenly felt moist. My nerves were getting to me, I thought, wiping my sweaty palms on my dress. Piotr returned with Leon and his wife, Cindy. As he introduced us, I couldn’t help but notice that they made an odd couple. Leon was about a head length taller, and his hair was quite short. He wore a black suit with a grey shirt looking very formal.

The woman next to him was of average height with short brown hair. Her honey-brown eyes were lovely, taking the attention off her pale, freckled complexion. Her smile stretched across her face as she came closer. She wore a bright pink top, and blue shorts with rainbow-colored bobbins in her hair.

“I’m Cindy,” she said, giving me a warm hug. She was different from the others. I felt sure we could become friends. She seemed calm, open, and completely at ease. It was good to have her there. I felt my nerves slightly easing up.

We sat down and had breakfast. The four org members discussed business. They spoke in code without noticing that I relatively understood what was going on. Cindy smiled and nodded but didn’t say much during breakfast.

Once we were all done, the men and Mila headed out to the pool area while Cindy assisted me in cleaning up. Cindy gave me a quick recollection of how she became part of the family. I found this very interesting as we had a lot in common.

Placing the last plate in the washer, I turned it on. “Right,” I said, smiling at Cindy. “Shall we join them outside?”

Cindy nodded and walked ahead of me. As we exited the mansion, the four outside fell quiet. “Never mind us,” I said, walking up to Piotr. “You can continue your conversation.”

Leon gave me a puzzling look and then smiled. “We’re done,” he said, pulling Cindy into his arms and kissing her forehead.

Mila walked back in and came out with six glasses of juice. Placing them down on the table by the edge of the pool, she motioned for us to join her as she spoke. “Come, let’s sit.”

The atmosphere felt a bit stiff even though everyone was smiling. It appeared as though they were hiding something. Gathering all my courage, I cleared my throat before speaking. Everyone was looking at me and for a moment, I thought my words would not come out of my open mouth.

“I would like to volunteer for smaller tasks such as spying, which I am quite good at,” I said, hearing my tone dip twice.

The four glanced at each other. I could see the shock on Piotr, Mila, and Konstantin’s faces. Leon didn’t really know me, and I felt sure that was why he didn’t show any shock.

“What skills do you have that prove you can do such projects?” Leon questioned.

Glancing at Piotr, I straightened out before answering. “Well, I know you guys have been keeping an eye on a warehouse that appears to be smuggling drugs. Yet, you have not been able to gain access. You also haven’t figured out how they are smuggling the drugs.”

Piotr, Mila, and Konstantin’s mouths fell open, and their eyes seemed to grow in size as I spoke. I could see Leon was also shocked at my revelations.

“This is good, but I’m still not sure you would be a good fit for what needs to be done,” Leon said, looking at Piotr.

Smiling at them, I continued. “I feel confident that the warehouse is accessible, and you need a finer touch to get what you need. Therefore, I will go in and get it for you.”

“I think she can do it. She did a good on the last job I took her on, even though she’s still got a little sheep in her,” Mila added.

Everyone seemed as astonished by her words as I was. Mila had accepted me; this I knew. But at times, I still felt like she saw me as an outsider. Hearing her agree with me was the last thing I expected. Smiling, I nodded lightly at her, showing my thanks.

“Well, then,” Leon said, drinking the last bit of juice from his glass. “Let’s see where we can place you to see what you can offer. We’ll discuss it and get back to you,” he said, rising from the table. “For now, we have to go, as I have a meeting with Ashan. But we’ll talk.”

Everyone got up from the table. I greeted them there at the table. I stood watching as the two men walked out with them. Turning back to Mila, who was collecting the glasses, I beamed. “Thank you for supporting me,” I added as I took the last two glasses.

Mila gave me a quick smile and then headed inside. I followed close behind, feeling like I was about to explode from excitement.

We were rinsing the glasses when Piotr and Konstantin returned. I could see by the look on Piotr’s face he wasn’t pleased even before he opened his mouth. “What was that?” Piotr asked in an angry tone.

Turning to face him, I saw Konstantin nodding his head at Mila. The two of them left the kitchen as Piotr came closer. “What are you trying to do?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, irritated. Stepping to the side, I tried passing him. I didn’t want to discuss this with him.

Piotr grabbed my arm and swung me to him. “We are in a dangerous business. You have no right stepping into our world.” He said, holding me at arm's length.

Feeling my anger flaring up, I tried to pull free. But his grip was strong. “I have a right to earn my keep, don’t I?” I spat at him.

“Earn your keep?” Piotr snapped. “We don’t expect you to earn your keep, Alyssa. Our business is very dangerous, and there is no place for a woman like you.”

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