Page 149 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)
I nod begrudgingly. In my world, everyone is guilty until proven innocent. Even doe-eyed Elyssa. “Fine. But until we know for sure, this is the way I’m going to do things.”
Matvei sighs. “I still think it’s too hasty.”
I smile, knowing I’ve won this conversation. Matvei growls at me with annoyance and turns to the door. “If you insist on doing this, I’m going to need to get shit sorted out.”
“You’re a shining star amongst men, Matvei. A credit to humankind. A hero we don’t deserve.”
“Yeah, and you’re a fucking pain in my ass.”
Grinning, I watch Matvei leave my office. His weight is shifted to one side because of the stab wound but I can tell he’s recovering fast. I hate that he can’t accompany me tonight. But I won’t risk him, either. He’s too important to the Kovalyov Bratva. And he’s also one of the few souls on this earth that I trust without reservation.
I’m high off the euphoric feeling of having a plan and an immediate mission. I leave my office and make my way to my weapons vault. I’m halfway there when I notice a shadow emerging from one of the rooms to the side. A second later, Elyssa walks out and nearly runs into me.
She’s carrying the baby. He giggles as she jerks to a stop before she hits my chest.
“Goodness, where’d you come from?” she gasps. “I didn’t even see you.”
“I could ask you the same question.”
“Theo got restless, so I decided to take him for a walk,” she says, popping a kiss on his forehead.
This is the closest I’ve come to the child in a while. He turns his face to regard me with curious eyes.
And all I see in them is… Yuri.
I take a step back as my demons rush around me, stealing away the euphoria of action and replacing it with the same creeping dread that’s marked every waking second since my family was snatched away from me.
“Phoenix,” Elyssa says, her face screwed up with concern, “are you okay? Is it your leg?”
“No, I… it’s fine. I’m fine.”
Her forehead is scrunched with worry. A worry that feels weirdly intimate.
“I need to go,” I blurt.
“Where are you going?” she asks. “You need to rest. You just got shot!”
“This is nothing,” I say gruffly. “I’ve had worse.”
“Let me check it again.”
“No.”
She flinches at my curt tone but she doesn’t let up. “It’ll only take a few seconds—”
“I said no.”
She sighs heavily and ignores me in the same breath.
“Here.” Before I can protest, she’s shoved the baby into my arms and let go. I stand there, frozen in place, holding a baby for the first time in five years.
And fuck if it isn’t the most triggering thing that’s happened to me in a while.
“Elyssa…”
She squats down in front of me. Without permission, she raises the cuff of my pants and examines my wounded leg.
My cock isn’t quite sure how to process the sight of her on her knees.
