Page 32 of Immaculate Corruption (Romanoff Bratva)

“If there are guards down there, send them away,” I order, blocking the buttons so he can’t press anything. “If these doors open and we see anyone down there, I’ll kill them immediately.”

“And me too?” he asks.

I scowl. “By the time all this is over, you’ll wish I killed you.”

Ennio blinks and then grabs a walkie on his hip. “Antonio, go to front of house and check on the situation.”

A voice crackles through the walkie. “Roger.”

Ennio nods. “It’s done.”

We go down to the basement level and walk into a dark, concrete hallway. There is a door directly next to the elevator shaft with a glowing “Exit” sign above it. Ennio pushes it open and we emerge out onto the side of the building.

I yank Ennio back and slam him against the building. “Don’t move.”

I pull out my phone and call Arya.

“Thank God,” she breathes as soon as she picks up. “I was getting worried. Where are you?”

“East side of the building. The keys are on the rear wheel-well. Go get the car and come pick me up.”

I wait for a long minute. I can hear her feet pounding the pavement and her dress swishing. Then the sound of the car engine starting through the phone. “Are you hurt?” she asks.

“I’m fine.”

“Okay. I’ll be there in a second.” She hangs up.

When she turns the corner, her eyes nearly pop out of her head as she sees the bleeding man with me. She reaches over and throws open the passenger side door. “What in the fuck is this?”

“Ennio, meet Arya. Arya, Ennio.” I shove the bleeding man into the backseat of the car and follow after, gun still aimed at him.

Arya is turned around in her seat, staring at us with wide eyes.

“This is the part where you start driving,” I deadpan.

Arya releases a heavy breath through her nose, whips herself around in the seat, and takes off.

She doesn’t say anything the whole way back.

11

Arya

I coast to a stop outside of the Sunset Motel.

Dima and Ennio are still squeezed into the backseat of the car. Ennio is curled up against the side of the car, as far from Dima’s gun as he can get. Dima is a statue. His gun has not wavered since we left the casino. I wonder if he has even blinked.

“Go to the front desk,” he orders. “Buy the adjoining room.”

I’m furious as I leap out of the car and stalk to the front desk. I hardly say a word to the night manager as I hand over the cash and take the key to the second motel room.

When I return, I don’t go straight back to the car. Instead, I slip into the room I’ve been staying in all week.

Lukas is in his bassinet with Ernestine and June. I didn’t know how late we’d get back, so she offered to take care of him all night. Now, I’m beyond grateful for the offer. I don’t want Lukas anywhere near this stranger Dima has kidnapped.

I creak open the adjoining door, slide through, and then come out the front. Marching out to the car, I rap on Dima’s window.

“You can come in.”

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