Page 6 of Impregnated By the Bratva

Standing under the tree next to the big empty building, I wondered what Grace was doing. Was she thinking of me? For some reason, I was battling to get her out of my head. After finishing my coffee, I strolled up the docks and back down to my truck.

All was quiet and by supper time, I headed back to the warehouse. After going through the inventory with the head of operations, I headed home.

Pavel had ordered Chinese and was watching a goofy movie as I came in. “Wanna watch with me?” he called from the lounge.

“No thanks, I’m beat,” I replied, heading to the kitchen. It was late, and the day had been long. After heating my food, I went to my room. There was too much to do this week, so I didn’t have time to relax. The new drug recipe had brought some varying disasters. But after months, I think we got it right.

Checking the docks every day and sitting there for hours were draining my patience. Then there was collecting intel and delivering it to the Chernykhs. I had to ensure the product got to the packaging warehouse without hiccups and meet with clients. My days and nights were loaded.

Waking to my alarm, I groaned as I got up. These early mornings and late nights were getting the better of me. I had to be up before the rooster crows to check on the shift change at the warehouse. Most evenings, I only got in after eleven.

Having my morning coffee, I studied the ever-growing list of tasks. Pavel only handled some of the load, but the majority now fell on me. The Chernykhs were surely trying to work us to death.

The rest of the week went reasonably well. The shipment would be ready, the docks were quiet and the buyers were ready. By Friday, I was feeling good. Once the shipment has been handed over, I could hit the clubs.

I arrived at the docks just before six. Our men were in place should they be needed. Yet, I wasn’t expecting any trouble. I had placed them far from the meet, not wanting to spook the buyer. Two were up the road, two at the end of the docks, and another two would walk the area, keeping an eye out for any strangers.

Waiting for the new drug we developed to show, I kept an eye on the surroundings. Most of our men couldn’t even be seen. We couldn’t afford to go wrong with this exchange. It was the first delivery to a new client and a new drug on top of that.

A strong wind swept through the containers. The breeze carried the ocean's odor. Closing my eyes, I lifted my head, breathing in deeply. I loved the smell. It took me back to childhood when things were still intact. My mother used to make this asparagus recipe with garlic, cheese, shrimp, and prawns, and that is what the smell of the ocean brought me to.

Suddenly, my stomach made a turn. Glancing around, I studied the area. People were walking up the road that passed by. A couple were standing on one side, looking out over the ocean. Lovers on a stroll, I was sure. Something was surely off, but I couldn’t see it yet.

The small voice in the back of my mind was screaming red alert. Sweat broke out on the back of my neck and my hands clenched into fists as my body prepared for what was coming. My mother always said I could sense danger a thousand miles off. This was generally my body’s reaction when something was coming.

A black van came up the road and turned into the docks. This had to be the delivery, I thought as I stepped forward into the light of the lamppost. He came to a stop before me, and the side door opened.

Egghead stood in the door, grinning. He was one of our regular delivery men. “Hiya, boss man,” he said in his raggedy voice. His skin was dark, and he was the skinniest man I had ever met.

“Evening,” I replied, stepping closer to the van. “You got the goods?”

“Yes, sir,” he responded, holding out his hand. The package was smaller than I expected.

Taking another step closer, I caught a glimmer as something to my right appeared to spark. I saw the shot even before I heard it. The delivery man got in the van, and I knew it was time to move.

Leaning in, I grabbed the package. I hit the side of the van, screaming at the driver. “Get moving, get him out of here.” Egghead was crying out in pain, his blood running freely, filling the groves of the van. I had barely stepped back when the van pulled away with force.

Sliding sideways, I moved out of the light and into the shadows. There was a truck and a car not too far away. Both would provide cover and different points of view. Racing to the side of the car, I tried to find the shooter.

The buyer would be arriving soon. I had to get the situation under control quickly. I couldn’t think of anyone in this area who would be dumb enough to take a shot at us. Yet, there have been multiple issues lately. Then, as if struck by lightning, I remember hearing one of our men mention another group moving into the area.

I didn’t think twice about it at the time, but now it was all I could think of. In the distance, I saw two of our men coming closer. They were taking cover behind anything they could as they moved.

There were another two shots fired rapidly. Moving forward to the truck, I knew I had to get a better angle. I placed the package in my pocket, pulling my gun at the same time. Looking at the two men just a couple of meters ahead, I heard another shot and saw one going down.

Tightening my grip, I stood and moved towards them. Three men were coming out of the building where the shots had come from. Turning, I fired without care.

The first shot took down a man heading directly at us. The other two missed the men moving into the trees to the left of the building. The unharmed guard had pulled the other one to safety. Kneeling down by them, I spoke softly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, it was just a graze,” the injured guard huffed.

There was a metal walkway from the building to the trees. Pointing at it, I spoke again. “Keep an eye on the trees; I’m going after them.”

The unharmed guard moved closer, nodding. I moved out to the front of the building. I was about to charge at the trees when I saw a bright light ahead of me, as a deafening bang filled the air. Ducking, I squeezed the trigger and fired back.

The two men fell forward onto the metal walkway. Walking closer, I was satisfied that we had gotten through this with minimal injuries and not one dead. Somewhere in the distance, I heard a woman screaming. Looking through the trees, I saw her just for a second as she turned and ran.

“Shit,” I huffed, stomping my foot on the ground. Pulling out my radio, I called the men up the road. “There’s a witness. She’s coming your way. Stop her.”

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