Page 44 of Stolen By the Bratva King

I mull it over in my head for a moment. “Not entirely. I mean, I told him in the heat of my anger that it was a mistake, but now that I’ve had some time to cool off, I’m not so sure.”

“Do you want to be with him? On some level?”

Emotion swells in my chest like a heavy fog. I don’t know how to untangle my rapid thoughts. After another pause, I say, “I don’t know.”

“Want me to come over?” she asks, and I know if I tell her yes, she’ll be putting on her shoes before I even get the whole sentence out.

“No, it’s okay.”

“Are you sure?” She doesn’t sound convinced.

“Yes, I’m sure. It’s late. I’ll just see you tomorrow.”

“Are you coming into the office?” She perks up.

“I think so.” Up until now, I’d gotten permission from Robert to work from home on the pretense that I would be doing work that might put me in vulnerable circumstances. He hadn’t asked questions, just grumbled “whatever, just get a good story,” before sending me on my way.

“That’s exciting,” Veronica chirps.

“I just think I need to go back to normal life right now,” I admit.

“I agree. A change of scenery will do you good. Kind of like a mental and physical reset.”

“Exactly,” I agree. “You’re amazing. You always know what to say.”

“That’s why we’re friends,” she chimes, then in a more serious tone, she says, “if you need me, you know I’ll always be there for you, to support you in whatever format that takes.”

“I know.” My frayed nerves are soothed by talking to her. “Thank you, for everything.”

“I can meet you for a coffee before work, then we can go in together if you want,” Veronica suggests. “Seven forty-five?”

The tension in my neck and shoulders dissipates somewhat. “That sounds amazing.”

“See you then,” Veronica says. “Try to get some sleep. And remember, no trouble lasts forever. There’s always a way out. Life will return to normal and you’ll feel safe again. I’m proud of you for all you’ve accomplished.”

Tears well in my eyes again. “You have no idea how badly I needed to hear that”.

“And I’ll say it over and over, as many times as you need.”

I smile, even though she can’t see me. “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” she says with genuine excitement.

Maybe normal journalism isn’t so bad after all. I’ve had my dose of danger, and it’s time to go back to reality and put the bratva in my rearview mirror.

Then why is it, that with every beat of my pulse, thoughts of David return? They are unrelenting, hammering through my brain, and I’m powerless to stop any of it.

16

David

Istep out of the bathroom. A thunderous boom vibrates through the walls. I stop in my tracks in the middle of the hallway just outside the bathroom door.

“What the hell was that?” My voice is raspy from lack of sleep and too much vodka.

Vlad emerges from the living room, shuffling on socked feet, his hair sticking up at the top. His eyes are bloodshot, and his face is pale.

He blinks at me through glossy eyes. “I thought it was you.”

---