Page 9 of Impregnated By the Bratva

“I’m not sure,” I replied hesitantly. I was breathing more steadily, and my shoulders weren’t as tense. I was starting to relax, but staying with him didn’t sound like the best idea. Makari placed his arm around me as we walked towards his truck.

Leaning against him, I allowed him to guide me. I was tired. Drained of all my will. The silence of the night air was pierced by a loud cracking sound. Jumping, I felt an intense heat between us.

Makari grabbed my arm and dragged me in behind a car. Glancing at him, I saw red scrapes on his arm where his jacket and shirt were torn. “You’re bleeding,” I huffed as he turned, looking over the nose of the car.

Looking at his shoulder, he cursed under his breath. “We have to move,” he said, looking around. “Are you okay? Sorry for the pull, but I had to get you safe.”

“I’m fine, but you’re…” I didn’t even get time to complete my sentence before being dragged again. This time, we ran across the street to a truck. There was another cracking sound. But this one was much closer.

Makari pulled me in behind a truck. “Stay low,” he said, pulling out a gun.

“What?” I huffed. My mind battled to grasp what was happening. “You have a gun?” I was astounded. I knew nothing of this man. Yet, I couldn’t even conceive of leaving his side now.

He peeked over the back of the truck, lifted his gun, and fired. Two shots rang out, and then there was silence. I flinched with each one he took, but managed to keep my screams in. “Come on,” he said, moving up the street. “We have to get out of here.”

Standing, I looked over the back of the truck. Two men lay in the road. Suddenly, I felt sick. I was in a trance as I slapped my hands over my mouth. This couldn’t be happening, my mind screamed. He just shot two men.

Makari grabbed my arm and pulled me with him as he spoke. “Please, we have to leave now.”

Chapter 5 - Makari

Realizing the men came for Grace, they intended to kill her, I had to do something. How dare the men shoot at her? It was something I wasn’t going to allow. Checking over the hood of the car I had pulled her to, I saw no other men. It was time to move.

“Come on,” I huffed, grabbing her arm and pulling her with me. We ran down the block to where I had parked my truck. Opening the door, I ushered her in as I spoke. “Get in!”

She glanced around but got in. Moving around to the driver’s side, I checked the area. I was on guard. I had to ensure no one was watching or following. Getting in, I started my truck and headed to one of our safehouses.

I could see she was shaken. Grace was trembling so badly that her teeth chattered. We had to move. I had to get her to safety. “It’s going to be okay,” I tried reassuring her as I headed to one of the safehouses I had access to.

Pulling up to the large iron gates, I pressed the button on the remote hanging from my truck keys. The gate complained as it opened. It hadn’t been used for quite some time. Pulling up to the front, I switched off the engine and looked at Grace.

As she shook, it looked like she was freezing to death. Getting out, I headed to her side quickly. I knew no one would even think of looking here, not even my brother. Pulling her out of the truck, I placed my jacket around her shoulders.

“Come on, let’s get you inside and warmed up,” I said, leading her to the door. As we entered, our eyes met for the first time since I killed the man who attacked her. My heart ached as I saw the tears in her eyes.

Grace closed her eyes and shook her head. “Not now,” she whispered.

I had no idea how I was going to calm her. I have never dealt with a woman who didn’t know our world and ways, especially not in this situation. It was so late that I couldn’t even call Nadia or Tasha.

Taking a deep breath, I placed my arm firmly around her shoulder and headed to the bedroom. I didn’t bother putting on any lights; I knew the way, like my own backyard. Entering the room, I let her sit on the bed as I switched on the bedside lamp.

Kneeling before her, I gently lifted her head as I spoke. “Breathe, it’s over. You’re going to be fine.”

Grace pulled her head back out of my grasp and looked towards the wall as she stuttered. “You… you killed… that man.”

Her face was white, and for a moment, I thought she was going to be sick. Pulling her legs up, she fell over to her other side and curled up into a ball. Her cries raked her petite body. I stood and stared at her, not knowing how to take her pain away.

Standing beside the bed, I leaned forward, reaching out. “No, don’t touch me,” she spat.

Taking a slow, deep breath, I knew I had to be careful in my approach. She knew nothing of the world I live in. Very slowly, I placed my hand on her back as I spoke. “I know this is a lot to take in and deal with. But believe me when I say, I did it to save you.”

She started rocking herself as I softly rubbed her back. “I think you should try and get some sleep. Just know this, you are safe now.” I added before moving back.

“Earlier,” she said, halting my movement. “I heard what sounded like gunshots. But I wasn’t sure, and I was close,” she took a ragged breath before continuing. “So, I ran down to see what was happening, and that’s when I saw the man running away as the others got shot.”

Turning, I walked back to the bed and sat down behind her. “I am so sorry,” I said.

“Is that why these men are looking for me?” She swallowed hard before breathing in deeply.

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