Page 25 of Captured By the Bratva

Scuffling noises sounded on the other line, then a hard grunt and Hannah’s scream.

Becca whimpered, staring at the cell phone as though it were a bomb ticking. Anxious and holding her breath, she clutched it and waited.

“Ivan. Get over here.”

I took the phone at Dmitri’s order. How and whyhewas answering, I didn’t know.

“What’s going on?”

“Get to her apartment. Yusef was tracking someone nearby, and another soldier was still watching her place.”

He was running, his footsteps loud from the other line.

I headed to the door, too, aware of Becca hurrying after me.

“No. You stay here.”

“But—” She grabbed my sleeve, eyes wide with panic as she struggled to keep up.

“The soldier watching her place alerted me to the invader. Fuck!” More scuffles sounded. “Just get here. Now!”

The call was dropped, and I thrust the phone at Becca. She fumbled to catch it, mouth open wide and spluttering for me to wait for her as I ran toward the door.

“Ivan! Wait! I need to—” A wretched sob cut her off as I warded her back.

“You have to stay here.”

It could be a trick, a ploy to get her to run from here. Anything was possible. I had too few clues and answers, but I knew nothing would change the fact that she had to remain here as my hostage.

Maybe it’s Murphy. Maybe he’s stupid enough to try to turn the tables and get Becca to escape for her baby.

I slammed the door shut after me, ignoring Becca’s cries and furious shouts to let her go. To bring her with me as I rushed out to meet with Dmitri and take charge.

One stern glance at the soldiers outside the door was all I needed to know she wouldn’t be going anywhere. Despite her yells and fists banging on the door. No matter how much she begged and ordered, Becca would not be the first hostage to slip away from me. Those two men would stand there at the door and prevent her from leaving or anyone entering.

Familiar with Becca’s address from staking out her home, I made quick work of driving over and seeking out my brother. I found him easily. In the alley, he and another Valkov soldier chased down another man, and I didn’t hesitate to sweep in and join them in their efforts.

“Ivan. Watch out!” Dmitri’s warning didn’t make sense until the Italian swung around. He still held something, a black, bulky container I didn’t recognize.

The instant wail of a cry startled me, though.

A baby.

Emily.

She was strapped into the container, a bucket-like carrier. In the blurred frenzy of too much action, I couldn’t slow down time to get a good look at her. All that mattered was this man trying to steal her away.

I yanked the handle of the carrier, pulling the baby out of his grasp as I punched the asshole hard.

He staggered back, dropping out of my reach, but I wasn’t done. One-handed, as I held the carrier out of harm’s way, I leaned up to kick the side of his head.

The carrier left my grip. I spared a single glance back to see that the Valkov soldier was taking it and setting it aside while I rained down more punches and kicks on this fucker.

Dmitri took over, holding up his hand to keep the Italian down. “Is that hers?” He panted from the exertion of chasing this man down from the building, and I retreated to see the infant screaming and crying. All that noise would cause more attention, and I hurried with the buckles and straps to get her out and shut her up.

I had zero instincts with an infant. I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing, but I hoped to quiet her right now.

Before I could get her out and hold her, assuming that would help, I felt a rubbery piece of a circle.What’s this?A pacifier? Something like it. I slipped it toward the baby’s mouth, and she closed her trembling lips around it. Her green eyes were wide open and glossy as she stared at me with a pout. Fuck me. It was a punch to the gut, seeing Emily’s innocent face so scared, her tear-streaked cheeks.

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