Page 25 of Hunted By the Bratva
I darted through the trees on one side of the road leading from the mansion to civilization. After a while, I stopped to catch my breath. Bending over, I placed my head in my hands. I had to figure out my next move. I was out of the mansion and almost on the road.
Below me in the distance, I could see streetlights. Some shops and houses. There was a scurrying sound in the bushes behind me. Glancing back, I held my breath as I listened. My heart was beating hard against my ribs. Has he realized I was gone?
I waited a moment, listening to the sound of my breathing. There was nothing. Moving slower, I made my way down to the road. There wasn’t a lot of traffic. The houses and shops I could see were far from each other. Sticking to the tree line, I headed towards the dinner.
As I went, I noticed a couple of men behind me. They seemed to be closing the distance between us rapidly. I wondered if they were following me or just passing. As they got closer, I had this intense sensation of being in danger.
I wanted to run, but my legs would move faster. Before I could scream or make any other moves, I was pushed over. I stretched my hands out as I tumbled to the ground. Rolling onto my back, I opened my mouth to scream, but the tall, rugged man shoved a cloth into my mouth.
The smaller man swiftly bound my hands and legs before the tall one picked me up. A dark blue van pulled up to the curb. The doors opened, and I was pulled inside as the two men got in.
I groaned as he shoved me into the side of the van. My palms burned from where they had connected with the ground. The van pulled away sharply, then stopped suddenly, and I fell to my side. I was sure I was going to have quite a lot of bruises and marks. But what did these brutes want with me?
My body shook as fear crept in. I tried to focus. To clear my mind so I could find a way out. But the fear was stronger, and I had no rational thoughts. Tears stung my eyes. It felt like I was being strangled as my throat closed.
All hope was lost as I knew no one would be looking for me. My mind raced through all the things that could happen to me. All the things these men might do. Closing my eyes, I breathed in hard, trying to calm the storm raging inside.
The night's silence was pierced by a gunshot that rang out. The two men with me pulled their guns and swung the side door open. Another two shots filled the air in quick succession. I watched in fear as the two men fell. One toppled out the door. The other was blasted back into the van, landing before my feet.
A dark liquid quickly covered the floor. Looking up, I saw the barrel of a gun and smoke coming from it. Then the gun lowered, the smoke cleared, and there stood Iosif. I felt weak and stunned as relief flooded me. He leaned in and pulled me to him.
Iosif snapped the bounds holding my hands and feet, then removed the gag. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled as tears streaked down my cheeks.
It felt like I was flying as he pulled me into his arms. I clung to him for dear life, my savior. “It’s fine, you’re safe now,” he said, holding me tight. “We need to move; there may be others,” he added.
He placed me down and turned. I tried to walk with him, but my legs were numb and wouldn’t hold me up. I started falling, but he caught me. Iosif picked me up and headed to his car, parked just up the road.
Once I was secure in the passenger seat, Iosif ran around, jumped in, and pulled away. The car turned with force and left a cloud of dust as he drove back towards the mansion.
Iosif glanced at me as he spoke. “What were you thinking? Do you know what would have happened if my sister hadn’t seen you leaving? I told you. You’re being followed!” I could hear a hint of anger in his tone. I knew he was right.
I swallowed the lump growing in my throat, lowering my gaze to my lap. Iosif breathed in deeply as he continued. “What if I didn’t find you in time?”
He was silent as he pulled up to the mansion. I pulled my legs onto the seat and held them tight as everything that happened sank in. Everything he said was true. I had doubts, but after this, I knew he hadn’t lied.
Iosif killed the engine and turned in his seat. “The one man was one of those who were following you. The men who tried to take you before,” he said.
“Thank you,” I mumbled softly. I didn’t know how I could ever make it up to him. He seemed to be playing open cards with me, and my distrust almost cost me my life. “Can we go somewhere else, somewhere quiet?” I asked, looking at him. I didn’t see a chance to face his family at the moment.
He nodded, started the car again, and headed out. I sat quietly, watching the scenery pass as he drove. He pulled up to his condo and got out. He quickly moved around to my side. Iosif opened the door and held out his hand.
I took it and walked with him inside. Once we entered the condo, I turned to him. “Thank you,” I repeated. I could hear the trembling in my tone.
“I’ll get us something. You go lie down,” he said, pointing to the room down the hall.
I heard him making a call as I entered the room. I was relieved to be safe and fell down on the bed as my tears started up again. I had never been so scared in my life. I turned to my side and pulled up my legs as I sobbed.
My chest burned, and my lungs were struggling to keep up. I felt the bed shake as I trembled. There was a soft motion on the bed as a big hand came to rest on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw Iosif sitting beside me. “It’s okay, it’s over, you’re safe,” he said kindly.
I grabbed his hand as I replied. “Please, don’t leave me alone,” I huffed. My voice was shaky, and my breathing was shallow.
He lifted his hand and caressed my cheek. “Relax, I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered.
Letting go of his hand, I shifted closer to him. Iosif caressed my back. I knew having him there should have been comforting, but I was too shaken. I had no control over my tears as they flowed like waterfalls.
He lay down next to me and held me. I was grateful, and after a while, I felt my anxiety calming. He spoke in a soft, comforting tone. “Relax, I’m here. I won’t leave you. I promise I’ll keep you safe.”
I could feel my muscles relaxing as his embrace tightened. I realized I missed his touch, even though it was only briefly. Closing my eyes, I absorbed his essence. The sweet, woody odor coming off his skin, his steady and calming heartbeat.
