Page 51 of Hunted By the Bratva
“Yes,” I replied, holding out my hand. “Here we are.”
“I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you,” the man added. His smile made me a tad uncomfortable, but I was sure it was just my urgency to get home chasing me.
Smiling back at him, I spoke in a softer tone. “Let’s get this done then.”
“You in a rush?” he questioned, raising his brows.
Grinning, I nodded lightly as my mind traveled home to Clara. “Unfortunately, I have something to get to. It’s been in the works for quite some time. There’s no way around it. So, please forgive me. It’s not that I want to rush you. But I will be grateful if we could settle our business quickly.”
The man lowered his head. There was silence for a moment. Then he looked at me, held his hand out to the side, and waved at his men. “Okay, then,” he huffed.
The car door opened, and another man got out. He was younger than his counterpart. He walked with a funky hop in his step as if he had some kind of injury on his leg. He came over and sat down with us.
He placed the briefcase he carried on the table, opened it, and retrieved an envelope. He slid it across the table. “This is what needs to be done. Succeed with this one, and we will have a long and bright future,” he said.
I placed my hand on it and watched as he got up and headed back to the car. The elderly man nodded and also left. I sat staring at the envelope as they pulled out. I’ve heard stories about these two. But meeting them felt surreal. I’ve heard many stories about them. They were close contacts of the Morozov family. Soon, we would also be growing the business.
I was brought out of my thoughts as Avgust spoke behind me. “So, brother, what’s the job?”
Looking up at him, I held up the envelope. “I don’t know, I haven’t opened it. Here, you can have it. I have somewhere to be,” I replied, rising from the table.
“You have?” Avgust inquired.
“Yes, brother, I have other things to do today,” I added before leaving and heading back home.
The last two days had been so hectic, I had barely had any time with Clara. In fact, I had barely seen her. I was excited to get home. I had something special planned. As I arrived home, I wondered if the guards had done what I asked.
Heading up, I found her on the bed reading. Just seeing her enhanced my mood. She placed the book down as I walked closer. She smiled as I sat down next to her. Raising her hand, she caressed my cheek. “Hi, there,” she said softly.
“Hello,” I replied, grinning.
She opened her mouth to speak, but I placed a finger on her lips and spoke first. “Something is waiting for you in the kitchen.”
Clara turned her head to the side. Her smile lit up the room. “Oh, baby, you know I don’t need gifts. You are all I need,” she whispered before leaning over and kissing me.
“You will want this one,” I said as I got up and headed for the bathroom.
“Are you coming with me?” I heard her calling from the room.
“Yes, I will be down shortly, you go so long,” I responded.
I heard her moving in the room, and then all was silent. Peeking out the door, I followed her slowly. I didn’t want her to know I was behind her. I waited for her to enter the kitchen before moving out to the garden.
After collecting an armful of flowers, I moved to the edge of the garden where the road into the flower field ended. It was getting dark. I saw a shadow at the door and knew this had to beher. Clara flipped the switch at the door as the instructions that I left on the table told her.
But, instead of the normal outside lights coming on, there was a trail of fairy lights that came on. There were lights between the flowers as well. Clara smiled broadly as she made her way through.
She walked slowly, studying the flowers, the path, and the area. “This is so amazing,” she breathed out as she stopped before me.
I handed her the bunch of flowers I was holding. She dipped her head into them, smiled, and spoke softly. “Thank you, but why all of this? I told you….”
Before she could remind me that she needed nothing but me, I interrupted. “You are worth much more than all the world to me. I would have done more if I could.”
Clara glanced around. “This is more than enough,” she replied, smiling.
“I know the road has been more than bumpy. I am so glad we got through it, though.”
She raised a hand, gently placed it on my chest as she spoke. “Me too. You are the most wonderful person I have ever met.”
