Page 49 of Bought By the Bratva

As the glitter bombs exploded over the ships, we all laughed. I laughed with them, keeping face that I was having as much fun as they were. Heading back to the vehicles, I walkedahead of them. I didn’t feel like talking and tried to stay clear of them when I could.

Heading to the last location, I was glad it was almost done. As we pulled up to the club, which I suggested we take, I was surprised to see it closed. I thought it seemed like a nice place and felt sure it would be packed with people. In which case, we would have left it. But it wasn’t.

I double-checked the address, and I made sure we got it right. “Something the matter?” Alexandr asked as he opened his door.

Glancing at him, I replied lightly. “No, just making sure we got the right place.”

We got out and again assembled beside the vehicles. “Right then, men,” Alexandr spoke as we all waited for his orders. “This is the last one for tonight. We received some intel that they are building and smuggling weapons from this club. The operations are downstairs. Just a reminder to not kill; we do not know if there are civilians in there.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and we moved in, taking the club from all three sides at once. We were met with a lot more resistance here than in any of the other two places. Once again, a fistfight ensued. This time, I took a hit to the face. This is not what I wanted. I didn’t even have any desire to be present.

Wiping my cheek, I slammed the guy to the floor before the guards took him to be tied up with the others. Many of our men also took a beating here. But we kept the control. Once the people were all stashed away, we could focus on the destruction.

Entering the basement where all the operations took place, we saw a big safe built into one of the walls. We connected with Tasha and started dissembling the weapons as she did herthing. Once the safe was open, we made a pile in the middle of the floor with their money.

On top of this pile, we added the weapon part. Akim and Anton brought down crates of alcohol and soaked it all. Akim wrote on the wall, ‘Happy hunting’. This made Anton laugh frantically. “Happy, hunting,” he huffed, pointing at the pile. “Get it?”

Alexandr was already halfway up the stairs. “Yes, I get it,” I replied, turning to the stairs. “This once, you can probably burn,” I added as I went up.

“Yeah,” I heard Akim shouting as I followed Alexandr out. Once we were all outside and in our vehicles, Alexandr called the fire station anonymously to report a fire.

We drove off as we heard the approaching sirens. By this time, the money would be ash. But they would be able to save the people inside. Alexandr went straight to his mansion. Tasha, Mila, and Joyce were all there.

It was to be a celebration of our success. We have given the enemy a hard knock, and it would take them years, if not months, to recover. As we entered his mansion, Alexandr ushered me through the house out to the back.

The women were all waiting. They were glad to see us. The tables next to the pool were covered in food and drinks. Stepping out, Tasha handed me a drink. I stood back a bit as the others gathered together.

Alexandr raised his glass as he spoke. “Let’s have a drink on our success!” I watched as my three brothers toasted and started telling the woman about the big victory. Glancing around, I spotted a dark corner where I could sit alone.

I didn’t feel much like talking. In fact, I didn’t even want to be there. But I had to keep up appearances. Tomorrow, I could start refocusing on my life and getting back to real business. I sat staring at the family. They were all I had, and yet, I felt slightly disgusted by them.

I knew my heartache was my own doing, but I wanted someone else to blame. I didn’t notice Tasha walking up to me. As she spoke beside me, I jumped a little. “You look lonely.’

“Oh, it’s you,’ I breathed out. Tapping the seat beside me, I invited her to sit. I didn’t mind having her company. She was the only one on my side. The only one in this family who understood me.

“Why aren’t you celebrating with them?” she asked, pointing at our brothers.

Shaking my head I looked to the side as I answered her. “I’ve been with them all day and all night. I would rather talk to you. I’ve heard all they have to say.”

She sighed as she squeezed my hand lightly. “You are aware that part of this celebration is celebrating you and this operation. Your success.”

“Yes, Tasha, I am. But I’m not feeling it right now,” I replied a bit harshly.

Tasha turned her upper body as she studied me. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke again. “You should really spend more time with your brothers.”

“Now you sound just like mother,” I huffed as I stood up. I didn’t want to hear any more of this. Hanging out with my brothers was hard as I wasn’t like them. As I started heading for the door, Tasha grabbed my hand.

Turning to pull free from her grip, I froze as her next words hit my ears. “Nadia left her family and the Cherbykhs about a week ago.”

I was about to ask her what it had to do with me when she continued. “They are looking for her. She’s gone into hiding, but they want her back. Abram, if they find her, she might not have a choice.”

Staring at Tasha, I felt the anger pushing up inside. My eyes burned, and tears started filling them. Swallowing hard, I spoke calmly. “Why are you telling me this? What does it have to do with me?”

Tasha sighed as she let go of my hand. “You could give her another option. A choice to come back, and you could protect her,” she whispered.

Frowning, I bit back the tears as I spoke. “And why on earth would I do that after what she did?” Turning, I headed to the door before I exploded. As I opened the front door, Tasha’s small hand closed around my wrist. Turning sharply, I almost knocked her over. “Tasha, I am done, please. Let me go,” I pleaded.

“She’s carrying your child, Abram.!” Tasha spat at me. My skin turned to ice, and I felt frozen as I absorbed her words.

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