Page 32 of Fierce Vows

“Bratva,” I say softly, fighting to keep the new layer of fear from my voice.

This is much worse than I thought.The Bratva are some of the scariest motherfuckers to walk the planet.They will kill you without a second thought and if your transgression is bad enough, they will kill your family as well.I know that I am a vengeful, blood thirsty bitch but these people make me look like a damn kindergarten teacher.They take pleasure in killing those who cross them and use them to set an example for anyone else that may consider being similarly stupid.

“Da,“ he replies with a wry smile.

“What do you want with me?”I ask as a young man who looks just like a younger version of Bogdan walks into the room and sets a tray on the coffee table before leaving just as quickly.

“I want you to eat something,” he says.“The drug they gave you will wear off faster if your stomach is full.”

I stare at the sandwich with disdain.I won’t eat that.There could be more drugs inside.Sensing my trepidation, he picks up the sandwich and takes a generous bite before placing it back on the plate.

“I will drink the water as well,” he says with a chuckle.“I wish you no harm, Willow.”

“What do you want, then?”My big mouth usually gets me in trouble but if we are communicating, I should be able to ask some questions.

“To repay a favor.”

We stare at each other, neither willing to give an inch.He smiles sadly.

“I will explain everything to you while you eat, after which you will call your husband.”

“Excuse me?”I ask, my voice an octave higher than usual.

The drugs must be messing with my hearing.He gestures to the food and I take it, biting into the soft, fresh bread before nodding.

“Many years ago, my sister wished to leave this life of, how do the Americans say, mobsters and violence.I helped her,” he explains.“She lived a good life in America, met a good man, fell in love, and had a family.A few years ago, she called me in tears.My niece, Ania, was missing.The police had no idea where to start looking.”

My attention is fixed on him, making sure to take in every word he says, while still eating as demanded.I know this story and I also know it won’t have a happy ending.

“I did everything I could, spent money, shed blood, but she had vanished into thin air.Years later, in the middle of the night my sister called me.A man had brought Ania home but it was too late.He offered closure, but our family was shattered and soon after my sister took her own life.”

“I’m sorry,” I say softly, knowing full well the pain something like this can bring.

“Don’t be,” he replies.“I did my research and found that your husband had been the one to bring her home.Him and his man Dominic.They saved some girls and brought closure to families that had no answers before.”

“Thalia,” I whisper her name.

“Yes,” he muses.“The little one with the fire.”

“I don’t understand...”

“Your husband did what I could not.He brought my niece, my Ania, home even though it was too late.Now, I will send his wife home.”

My instincts tell me not to believe a single word this man says.After all, I met him in Kirrill Singleton’s home and he paid an astronomical amount of money to get me here.Does he blame Rafe for Ania’s death?

“Why would I believe any of what you’re saying?”I ask honestly.

He leans forward, holding out a cell phone for me to take.

“The only number in this phone is programmed to call Rafael Gallo.Once the call is placed, he will receive this location and he will be free to come and save you.”

“As simple as that?”

“Yes,dikaya koshka,” Bogdan says with a smile.“My mother has prepared a room for you to rest and clean up, as well as clean clothes.And my doctor is available should you feel the need to see him.I don’t know what Kirrill did...”

His words fade away as a look of rage crosses his features.He stands and walks to the door of the office.His long strides quickly eat up the space.

“Why were you there?”I ask before he can leave.“In Kirrill’s house, I mean.”

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