Page 48 of Hating the Bratva

“Yes.”

I open the door, and she stands there in a white bra and underwear set. Her eyes are squeezed shut, and her small frame shakes. I run a hand down her arm, and she flinches away.

“It’s just me.”

“Alek, tell me what happened! Is…is…”

The commotion from downstairs is getting closer. I don’t have any more time.

“No matter what happens, keep your eyes closed until I say you can open them, understand?”

She nods. I lift her into my arms before stepping over Ivan’s body. I’m careful not to get blood anywhere on me. Footsteps pound on the main staircase. They’ll find Ivan’s body soon. I turn away from the main staircase and head toward another room. I was able to pull up the mansion’s blueprint as soon as Delaney told me where Ivan wanted the wedding to be. I use my shoulder to push open the door to a small piano room, and right beyond, there is another set of stairs. The house was built a long time ago, and Ivan’s grandpa was also in the Bratva, meaning he knew he might need escape routes at some point in his life. I’m not sure if he ever used them, but they’re serving me now. I jog down the steps with Delaney cradled in my arms. It isn’t until we get outside that I set her down on her feet.

“You can open your eyes now.”

We’re standing at the top of the driveway. The SUV next to us is running. Delaney looks at me with unshed tears.

“Alek, what’s going on?”

I place both hands at the side of her face. “I can’t tell you right now.” I open the door to the SUV. “Get in.”

She only hesitates for a minute before sliding into the car.

I look at Vladimir in the driver’s seat. “Take her to the house. I’ll meet you over there as soon as I can.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything. Delaney grabs my arm as I’m about to shut the door.

“Be careful…please.”

I dip my head back inside and place a kiss on her plump lips before closing the door. I watch as they drive off. I make sure they get on to the road before I head back inside.

“Where is my daughter?” I hear Bethany, Delaney’s mother, sob as I round the corner. Denis is holding on to his wife as they stare into what was supposed to be the married couple’s bedroom for the night. Almost everyone from the wedding party is circled around the hallway in front of the open door.

Mikhail’s jaw ticks as he peers into the room.

“She’s safe. I put her in a car to take back to my place,” I say. Everyone turns to me.

Monica lets out a sound that is a mix between a whine and a sigh of relief. “Thank god.”

“What the fuck happened?” Gavril says, standing up from his squatted position next to Ivan’s dead body. The crowd parts so he can walk up to me.

“I came up here to talk to Ivan. When I was halfway up the stairs, I heard the gunshots. By the time I opened the door, it was too late. No one was inside.”

“They clipped him through the window. Whoever it was, they were fast, because we haven’t found them.” His eyes stay focused on me as he speaks as if he knows I’m holding something back. He’s giving me a chance to add something to the story, but I don’t.

“I’ll get a Vor at every entrance,” I offer.

“Do that, and then get on the phone with the Miami brotherhood. We need to speak to them.” He snaps his fingers at the crowd. “Everyone is staying here tonight. No one comes or goes unless you are told otherwise. Mikhail, get a cleaning crew up here.” He lowers his voice. “Tomorrow we’ll mourn the death of one of our own.” His eyes flicker to me on that last part before the crowd quickly disperses.

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