Page 48 of Claimed By the Bratva

Jax looked at me suspiciously. After a bit, he slowly nodded as he spoke. “Go on, say what you have to say.”

Staring at him, I could see a faint resemblance. This proved that they were family, but did he hold the kind of compassion Joyce had? “Right, here it is then,” I said. “I want you to consider leaving the current family you are working for and joining us. We can offer you protection. We want you to stay out of this fight for Joyce’s sake.”

He stood glaring at me. I was sure he was processing my words. As he spoke again, I could hear deep sadness in his tone. “Will you take care of Joyce and guarantee her safety?”

I was shocked by the care I saw in his eyes, and he replied honestly. “Yes, I will ensure nothing happens to her. So, do we have a deal?”

Jax replied, nodding. “Sure, I’ll stay out of this fight.”

Relief ran through me. Knowing he did care for her and would step back was good. Before everything had settled in my mind, Jax pulled a knife and charged at me.

Blocking his first strike, I couldn’t help but wonder if he truly cared. He moved without a hassle, swerving around me as he stabbed again. He moved like a professional. I was sure there was a lot Joyce didn’t know about this man.

I observed his moves as I blocked another one. His strikes were accurate and had a lot of force behind them. The fourth one lightly grazed my side. I felt my hot blood drizzling down my side as my skin flamed up. I hissed as another one cut my arm.

This wasn’t going to work. I knew I had promised Joyce, but he was not going to let me take him in alive. I repeated my promise to her so many times in my head that it quickly became a mantra.

I had to try, so I blocked him left and right, waiting for an opening to get one shot at his jaw. As we moved, he chuckled. He was arrogant. After failing at disarming him a couple more times, I knew there was no other way. He appeared to be a master at wielding a knife.

My muscles started aching from the exertion and multiple cuts. Jax came at me again. In that moment, I tried grabbing his hand as he stabbed again. I wanted to pull him to the ground, but the blade slid into my side. My mind blanked out as pain shot through me like a bullet.

Moving like lightning, I grabbed his hand, twisted it, and pushed with all my might. I felt the hot liquid flowing over my hands. Letting go, I stepped back as Jax sunk to the ground.

I stood frozen for a second as I came back to my senses and saw what I had done. Jax lay on the ground as his blood pooled around him. I felt dread sneaking in and filling me. How was I going to explain this to Joyce? I broke my promise to her, and I betrayed her.

Staggering backward, I pushed my hands into my hair and went down on my knees. I played it over and over in my mind, trying to see if I could have done it differently. I should have realized a guy like him had other plans.

Before properly sorting through my emotions, I heard footsteps coming at me quickly. Jumping to my feet, I swung around ready to fight whoever was coming. I lowered my fists as I saw Joyce running to me.

Grabbing her around the waist, I held her tightly as I pulled her with me to the ground. “I’m so sorry,” I kept repeating as tears softly ran down my cheeks. I felt her stiffen as she looked over my shoulder.

Joyce took my face in her hands and kissed me gently. “This is not your fault. He would have killed you,” she said, taking my hands and looking at the cuts. She paused and examined me before continuing. “I couldn't bear losing you.”

I let out a short, painful breath before taking her hand as she rose. I felt a bit lightheaded and only then realized how many cuts I had. Joyce gasped as she lifted my shirt. “Put pressure on your side,” she huffed, taking out her phone and dialing Abram.

He answered quickly. “Please, you have to come help,” she said, holding me up. I didn’t argue as my vision blurred in and out of focus. I could hear in her tone she was worried.

There was a noise and then I felt arms around me. “We have to get him to a hospital,” Joyce said to someone.

“No, we have a good house doctor,” I recognized that voice. It was Alexandr. “I’ll send men to clean up as well, let’s go,” he added as he dragged me to the van.

Chapter 28 - Joyce

For the last six months, I have worked my ass off to get it right. This operation was my baby, and I knew if we got caught, it would be the end of us. Since I met Anton six months ago, my life has been a flaming rollercoaster ride. I had to jump through hoops and climb mountains to prove myself.

Working with them, for them, has changed my perspective on life. I would never have thought it possible, but it has been thrilling. Tasha has taught me so much about hacking and linking people to places. Yet, Mila has also been a great teacher. With their help and tutoring, I have finally been allowed to spearhead my own operation.

Anton and Abram went ahead with a few guards to ensure the place was vacant. We didn’t want any surprises. As I drove to join them, I received a message. Swiping right on the phone screen, I saw it was from Anton.

It was an image of the five-story building we were penetrating today. I saw no movement or vehicles, so the coast was clear. I replied with a smiling emoji and got a hugging one back.

After a couple of minutes, I pulled up and parked next to Anton’s bike. Dusk was fast approaching; we only had about forty-five minutes to get in and out before the night shift guards arrived.

Getting out of the car, I approached Anton. “Am I clear to enter?” I inquired. Turning to me, he hugged me tightly, giving me a quick kiss.

“Yes,” he replied, nodding and gesturing to two of the guards.

I followed them through a hole in the fence and headed to the back of the building. We stayed in the dark spots, avoiding any cameras. Tasha made sure to show me the location of each, and after studying them, I knew where the blind spots were.

---