Page 67 of Stolen By the Bratva King

I watch Hazel carefully, trying to understand that as well.

Hazel looks at Vlad, then at me. Her eyes are bright, and her expression is alert, as if she’s watching something exciting unfold in front of her. “It’s still tied to the bratva. It’s one of the places I considered going when I first started working on this story.”

I exchange an uncertain glance with Vlad. It’s clear that he’s waiting on me to make the decision. He shrugs. “Your call, boss.”

I lick my lips and rub my palms together. “Let’s go together. We need to burn all of it to the ground. And Oleg needs to be on his own turf when the coppers come plowing through, so none of it comes back to haunt me. He made his bed, he can lie in it and face the consequences that come along.”

Hazel’s lips spread into a conspiratory, eager grin. I’m incredibly turned on by her resilience. I admire and respect her. She’s carrying my child. I need to be around to protect her, and I can’t do that locked behind concrete bars.

“You want me to give you the information?” she asks.

I look at Vlad when I say. “I’m ready. Let’s put an end to this before it gets even more out of control.”

23

Hazel

“You know, I’m still upset that you went to the warehouse on your own,” David says to me as we sit in his living room with Vlad, making a plan.

It’s late into the night, past one, but I’m not tired. Adrenaline pumps through my veins. It’s validating and exhilarating to be a part of something bigger than myself. The bratva life has sunk its teeth in, me, and I’m hooked.

I’m excited to play a role in taking down a corrupt bratva member. Helping clear David’s name from the gun trafficking is my hyper fixation of the night.

My relationship with David isn’t perfect, and neither is his bratva career. But in life there will always be hurtles to cross, and that’s part of the thrill.

I’m addicted to David in a way I can’t explain. Veronica and I were talking about it the other day. I’m attracted to the danger that his lifestyle brings, but now that I’m pregnant with his baby,I need to tone it down a little and try to reign him in. Not in a controlling way, because I would never do that, but I’m acutely aware of the dangers now, and what it might mean for my growing little family.

David has an operation to run, and I respect that. Maybe others would view it differently, but I don’t view it as corrupt. Not the role he plays in it, at least. David is not the villain law enforcement automatically peg him to be.

He has a business mindset, and a father he’s still trying to impress, even from the grave. It makes me feel even more drawn to him, because he wants to accomplish something bigger than himself too. He cares about his family, and he’s loyal to those who stand by him and wants to be painted in a different, more positive light.

David deserves the world, and I’m here to make sure he gets it. If that means eliminating the threats and the enemies along the way, then so be it.

“I wasn’t technically alone.” I cross my legs and take a sip from my water bottle.

“Right.” David rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling. “You just brought a long a coworker who also could have gotten hurt or have gone to the police.”

I shake my head. “She didn’t come up to the warehouse with me, and she would never do anything I told her not to. But that’s not what matters. What matters is, IsawOleg at this warehouse with my own eyes, switching out the counterfeit machines with the gun manufacturing ones.”

David clutches the sides of his head as if he’s trying to alleviate a migraine. “We will go there last, if you think that’s where we’re most likely to find him.”

“The crew is going to meet us at the empty apartment,” Vlad mentions. “There’s too much heat with the enemies and the police to meet downtown. Remember, we still want to make it look like Oleg is responsible for everything we’re going to do.”

“It won’t be hard,” David says. “Especially because the police already know I’m at war with him.”

“No.” I shake my head. “You need to look at it in a different way. Oleg is at war withyou.Youare the innocent one in all this.” I meet his gaze and hold it. “Never forget that.”

David stands up, takes my hand, and pulls me to a standing position. His mouth slams into mine, and lightning strikes through my body, sizzling me from my core.

“Alright, alright,” Vlad chuckles. “We have work to do. Save the celebrating for after it is done.”

Butterflies peltthrough my stomach as we pull up to the apartment complex. David squeezes my hand. “Wait here while I go inside. Miroslav will stay with you.”

Miroslav is driving the car. He catches my eye in the rearview mirror and gives me a nod of solidarity.

I sigh deeply and nod, looking at David. “Hurry back.”

David kisses the top of my forehead. “I will.”

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