Page 35 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

As the door clicks shut behind her, I lean back in my chair, staring at the mess of papers on my desk. I have a lot of work to do on top of the whole ordeal involving Gwen, Riley, and the Vultures. I’ve barely eased into my move to Las Vegas, barely even begun to take care of Luka’s casino the way I planned while he’s away.

My thoughts drift back to Gwen. I can’t shake the feeling that I want her to share this chaos by my side. But the reality of our world is murky at best, and I can’t let her dive in without preparation.

I glance at my phone, debating whether to text her or not. But before I can make up my mind, it buzzes against the desk, areminder that the world outside my office is still spinning, still demanding my attention.

I grab it, my heart sinking as I see the name flashing on the screen—Victor. I don’t hesitate to answer.

“Roman,” he greets me, his tone serious. “We need to talk.”

I lean forward, my stomach tightening. “About Riley?”

“Yeah,” he replies, his voice low. “We’ve got a lead on where the Vultures might be holding her. But it’s not good.”

My heart races, adrenaline surging through me. “What do you mean?”

“Meet me in the usual spot,” he instructs, and I can hear the underlying urgency in his voice.

“On my way,” I respond, hanging up quickly.

I grab my jacket, and the conversation with Anya is already a distant memory. I need to focus on Riley, fulfill my promise to Gwen, and get her back as safely and as soon as possible.

With every step I take toward the door, determination hardens in my chest. I will find Riley. I will protect Gwen. And I will make sure our lives don’t fall apart.

As I stride through the casino, my heart pounds with a rhythm that echoes the chaotic energy around me. The distant sounds of laughter and clinking chips fade into a dull roar as I push through the heavy door leading to the parking garage. The air shifts, filled with the familiar scent of leather and gasoline, grounding me for the task ahead. My mind spins with thoughts, wondering what Victor has to share. Good news? Bad news? I couldn’t decide.

I slide into my car, the engine rumbling to life beneath me, and I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. The usual route to our meeting spot feels different today, and the weight of worry is heavy in my gut. The Vultures have Riley, and the thought alone sends a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I can’t shake the image of her—vulnerable and scared—held captive by those monsters.

As I drive, my mind races with potential scenarios. Is she hurt? Alive, even? I curse under my breath, frustration boiling within me. I can’t stand the thought of her being scared or in pain, not when I could have done something to prevent it. But now, I can only focus on finding and bringing her home.

Pulling into the alley behind one of our quieter locations—a nondescript bar that serves as a safe house for us—I spot Victor waiting by the back entrance, his posture tense and alert. He glances at me as I approach, his eyes narrowing with concern.

“Roman,” he says, his voice low as we step inside. The bar is empty, the dim light casting long shadows across the floor. “We’ve got a potential location for Riley.”

“Where?” I demand, my pulse quickening.

Victor hesitates, his gaze flicking to the door before he speaks. “Word on the street is that she’s being held in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Not the one we initially believed it was, but another location. The place isn’t attached to their names, making it the perfect spot. The Vultures use it as a drop point for their shipments. They run drugs through there.”

“Do we know how many are guarding her?” I ask, already formulating a plan in my mind.

“Not exactly,” he replies. “But we can’t go in half-cocked. They’re smart. She won't make it out if they catch wind of us coming.”

“Then we need to be strategic,” I say, my voice firm. “We’ll gather intel first, see what we’re dealing with before making any moves.”

“Agreed.” Victor nods, but I can see the doubt in his eyes. “But we don’t have much time. The last time we met with them, we shut down their ransom. It’ll be a miracle if she’s still alive.”

“We move fast then,” I interrupt, my resolve hardening. “Play dumb in tomorrow night’s meeting. After that, we get our men and hit them hard. This ends now.”

We discuss the plan in hushed tones, laying out the details like a carefully constructed blueprint. Victor plans to contact some of Luka’s men in the state, along with our brothers and Anya. We’ll surround the building with armed men while Victor, Anton, and I storm it.

The stakes are high, and every second counts. My mind drifts to Gwen, wondering how she’s faring with Anya. I can only hope that the world of danger we inhabit remains at bay, even as we take the fight to the Vultures.

After finalizing our strategy, I step outside, the cool evening air hitting me like a wave. I pull out my phone, debating whether to check on Gwen. I need to keep her in the loop, but I also want to protect her from the weight of this situation.

With a sigh, I tuck the phone back into my pocket, deciding it’s best to keep her unaware for now. I’ll tell her everything once Riley is safe. In the meantime, I want her to enjoy her time out with my sister. I want to see her smiling when I return to the penthouse. I don’t want her fearful or scared—more than she already is.

As I head back to my car, I feel a familiar tension build within me, a mixture of anxiety and determination. The clock is ticking, and every moment we delay gives the Vultures an advantage. I can’t let that happen. I refuse to let them control the narrative.

I drive back to the casino, my mind racing as I review the plan. I can’t shake the image of Riley from my mind. I need to bring her back, not just for the sake of my family but for the sake of the entire Bratva.

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