Page 9 of Possession of the Bratva

The skinny old man had a strange look in his eyes as he studied me with those overly large black eyes. Just thinking of it made me break out in sweat. He had exhibited an enormous head compared to his bone body. His bushy, greying hair always appeared to be covered in grease.

His mouth looked more like a beak holding a couple of worn cigarette-stained teeth. I remember the first time he reached out and stroked my cheek with his crow-like claws. As memories jumped back and forth through my mind, it felt like a hot needle was pushed through the back of my head.

Grabbing my head in my hands, a lonely tear escaped and slithered down my cheek. Swallowing hard, I tried to keep the hurricane from bursting through me. My mind and body felt paralyzed as the memories floated around my head.

All the time, they tied me up or locked me up in the no-window room. I didn’t dare even look at a boy or smile at astranger. I was promised to Mr. Hoggard. They waited for me to turn sixteen. All the late-night visits, the subtle touches.

Mr. Flink told me I was being saved by and for his friend. Opening my eyes, I felt the icy tremors surging through me. Rising, I ran to the bathroom and filled the tub. I had to wash the memories off. I had to get a grip on my mind.

I climbed into the tub and sank under the water. Holding my breath as long as possible, I forced my mind to snap back to reality. Coming up, I breathed hard, trying to fill my lungs with air.

That young woman escaped with Leon's help and made a new life. A life with Leon, Piotr, and Konstantin. Staring at the ceiling, I felt my heart slow down. I was still that woman, and Aleksandr wouldn’t win this war.

After washing, I dressed in yellow slacks, and a loose-fitting grey top and headed to the library. Aleksandr had left before dawn, and I didn’t feel much like eating. I spent most of my day studying the vast collection of books.

I had not realized the day was passing. There was a soft sound at the door. Turning, I saw one of the maids standing there. “Lunch, ma’am,” she said, lowering her gaze.

I spoke as I briskly walked to her. “Thank you.”

She walked out and headed down before I could say anything else. Walking behind her, I noticed she had a slight limp. I made a mental note to ask her about it. She passed the breakfast room, heading for the kitchen. I sat down at the small table by the window.

As she placed down my meal, I gently placed my hand on hers. She looked at me, stunned. Her eyes were as large as saucers. “Ma’am,” she whispered.

“Sorry,” I replied, letting go. “May I ask you something?” I continued.

She nodded and gave me a small smile. “How come you have a limp?”

Glancing back at the door leading to the kitchen, she leaned closer. “It was an accident as a child, ma’am.” Her last words had not even left her mouth properly when she spun around and quickly returned to the wall by the kitchen door.

I wondered if the staff were afraid of Aleksandr or each other. I have noticed there was a definitive chain of command. I just haven’t figured out who was up and who was down on it. As I ate topping on the pyramid of control, I felt my anger slowly rising again.

After lunch, I returned to the library. There was a book that had caught my eye earlier, and I wanted to see what it was about. Scanning the books closer to the window as I felt sure, I had seen it between the business books, I read some of the titles.

Down-scaling,Casino Management,Trust, Brotherhood, Clean Money. I stopped. That was the one. Taking the book,Clean Money, I sat down on the lounger by the window and started reading.

It held nothing of interest, so I placed it back and grabbed another. This one was calledForbidden Knowledge. It covered a wide scope of concepts. As I lay reading, I found many of the author's insights agreeable, but I also disagreed with many of them.

Somewhere along the line, I got distracted, and my mind drifted. As I started mulling over the order of power within Aleksandr’s mansion, my mind strolled back to the orphanage. I had been through so much. But I survived. I outgrew the enemy and now I felt like I was back at the bottom.

I worked hard to regain control of my life. My skills gave me independence, but Aleksandr threatened it all. I had to work and keep busy doing what I was good at.

Placing the book down on the table, I rose quickly. I couldn’t stay still. I started pacing to the window and back to the lounger where I had just sat.

My anger was flaring up again. I vowed to get revenge on Aleksandr. Even if it was the last thing I did. Pushing my hands through my hair, I knew what I had to do. I stopped at the window, looking out. I saw the gate opening and Aleksandr pulling up.

I had to befriend my enemy. That meant I would have to play nice for a while. There was a knock at the library door. Turning, I saw one of the maids standing there. “Ma’am,” she said, looking at the floor. “Dinner is ready.”

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm the rage whirling through me. “Thank you,” I replied. As she turned to leave, I continued. “I’ll be down now.”

She glanced at me, smiled, and nodded before disappearing. Shaking my hands, I breathed in slowly. I can do this. I have worked on many cases where I had to get inside. This was no different, I convinced myself as I headed to the dining room.

Aleksandr was seated at his end of the table. He rose as I entered, walking briskly towards me. “Evening, my dear,” he said as he pulled out my chair.

Giving him a slight smile, I nodded as I took my seat. “Evening,” I replied in a soft tone. I was going to play nicely. I was going to win this war.

Lifting his hand, Aleksandr started supper. I studied his every move as the maids brought out the food and placed it before us. He smiled and nodded in thanks. I had not noticed this before. I wondered how much there was that I had missed.

Tonight’s dinner consisted of carbonara, a side of mozzarella sticks, bread sticks, and a glass of red wine. Glancing at Aleksandr, I wondered if there was a special occasion I wasn’t aware of.

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