Page 51 of Bratva Daddies for the Single Mom

“Yay.” Hannah gave me an extra squeeze. “School was boring anyway. I’d rather be home with you.”

I wished that were possible too, but I knew better than to voice it or both girls would hammer me day in and day out saying they didn’t want to go back to school. “Let’s go home.”

Tina exited the office. “I signed them out.” Concern wrinkled her forehead. “I’ll drive.”

The girls talked the entire drive. I concentrated on paying attention to them and tried to force my mind to stop spinning out of control. The girls were safe. Even if Viktor came for them, I’d find a way to keep them safe.

Tina stopped the car in my usual spot and stepped out. I followed, the two of us opening the girls’ doors and helping them grab their backpacks. The acrid stench of exhaust and city life calmed me, the familiarity offering a chance to sit back and examine the situation with a clean perspective. Hailey and Hannah tried to run ahead, but I held their hands tight as we walked between the tall bushes that lined the walkway leading up to the door. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted, a silent warning of danger that I’d never experienced but understood on sheer instinct. “Tina, take the girls.” I nudged them toward her and slowed my steps.

A man moved out of the shadows that stretched on either side of the building. He wore a black hoodie with the hood up, hiding his face in its depths. Gloved hands moved from the front pocket, and sunlight glinted off a gun gripped tight in one fist.“You’re going to come with me. All of you.” The gun barrel swung into the middle distance, moving closer to Tina and the girls.

“Who are you?” I ran toward Tina and stepped in front of the girls, pushing them back toward the door. My earlier fear held nothing on the panic clawing up my throat. My entire focus narrowed to one thought—protect my family.

A flash of white teeth, then the man shoved his hood back. I gasped at the sight of a broken and bruised Miles Kent. Both eyes were black, a bruise cutting across his cheek. His bottom lip was split, and a series of cuts marred his neck and chin. “Remember me?”

“What are you doing here?” If I kept him talking, maybe we could get away.

The gun rose until it pointed at my chest. “Getting what I’m owed. Thought it would be easier with the girls. Viktor has such a soft spot for children. Turns out it’s impossible to get close to his nephew.” A wicked smile crawled out, tearing open the split in his lip and giving him a demonic look. “But not you. Why is that?” His head tipped slightly. “Does Viktor not care enough about you to put guards around you and your brats?”

“You tried to pick up the girls?” He didn’t match the description Bertie gave.

“Hired a man to pose as their father. Too bad it didn’t work. Another loose end to tie up.” He flicked the gun toward the parking lot. “Car. Now.”

The girls screamed. Tiny voices of fear drove spikes of determination into my bones. No one threatened my children.

I didn’t stop to think or even consider my actions. “Get the girls inside and call Viktor!” I shouted even as I rushed Kent and threw myself into the space where the gun pointed, praying he had enough common sense not to pull the trigger. I grabbed his wrist with both hands and pushed the barrel toward the sky.

A shot barked out, followed by his voice growling in my ear. “The girls were a bonus. All I really need is you.”

The smell of blood and danger shot adrenaline through me in a heady burst. I released one hand from his wrist and punched him in the throat while aiming a kick at his crotch. The first landed, the second missing when he leaped backward. “You crazy bitch. I’ll have your skin for that little stunt.” He wheezed and gasped for air but refused to back down.

When I went in for a second punch, he wrenched his arm free and backhanded me across the face. Stars flashed in my vision, sending me staggering back. Blood trickled into my mouth where my teeth tore into my lower lip. I snarled and leaped at him, fingers extended so they clawed down his face, tearing open the old wounds and creating new ones.

I had no idea whether Tina made it inside. Surely, she had, but I couldn’t risk looking away from the threat breathing in my face. “You’re going to regret this. When Viktor finds out what you did…” I let the threat trail off. I kicked him in the side of the leg, my old self-defense classes coming back in a rush of muscle memory.

He toppled. One arm snaked out and grabbed me by the hair, spinning me around so my back rested against his chest. I punched behind me with both fists, but I’d lost my momentum.

The turn gave me a chance to check the door to our apartment building. It closed behind Tina and the girls. Sirens pierced the air. “They’re coming for you.” I cackled. “Doesn’t matter that I live in a bad neighborhood. Cops check out every shot fired.”

“Fucking cunt.” Movement in my peripheral vision brought my hand up to block the incoming blow.

Too slow. My wrist connected with his arm, the butt of the gun crashing into my temple and turning the world black.

27

VIKTOR

Annie’s home phone number flashed on my business line. “Annie.” I snatched up the receiver while raising a hand toward Ilya and Fyodor who’d rushed toward me.

“Is this Viktor?” An unfamiliar voice screamed through the phone. “I found your number in Annie’s book. Please, you have to help her.”

“Slow down and start at the beginning.”

“You’re Viktor, right?” She asked again, and I sensed her panic fading.

Fyodor crowded in close at my side, Ilya taking up a position near the front of the desk.

“I am Viktor. Why are you calling from Annie’s number?” The coldness in my voice drove Fyodor back an inch.

---