Page 25 of Secret Baby and the Bratva

This blindfold is more disorienting than I would have expected, but I focus. “What did they offer for my return?”

“You’re about to hear it with your own ears.”

The feel of the road changes as the car bumps more and we seem to have gone off the road. We drive for several more minutes in silence, and when the car rolls to stop, and the doors are opened, hot air blows in.

Maverik fusses and I stroke his head to calm him. The man on my left hasn’t moved, so I stay in my seat.

Lilia seems to be standing just outside of her door as she calls loudly, “State your terms.”

Maxim’s voice calls out. “We’ll never kill another Solonik.”

Am I more disoriented than I thought? Yulian might say that, but Maxim shocks me. Are Yulian and Maxim here?

“On the phone, you said, shoot.” Lilia is firm.

“Fine. We’ll never shoot another Solonik.”

“You speak for yourself. I need to hear your brothers.”

Felix’s voice is first and then Yulian’s, each iterating the same sentiment.

“These two lives are awfully precious to you three.”

“That was the agreement, now give them back,” Yulian tries to be demanding but I hear his concern.

The man who had been sitting on my right is out of the car, but still close. He says, “Lilia, they have other Ubiytsa. They can only speak for themselves. They can’t commit to everyone. What are you accomplishing?”

“These three are their best. These are our biggest threats. I’m honoring the Soloniks by removing threats from our rival Lazovskis. If Father can’t see the importance of this…if he can’t respect me after this…” Her words trail off.

The bodyguard says, “It’s risky.”

“If I was a man, I’d be applauded for the accomplishment.”

Everything goes silent and then Maxim says, “We need to see them now.”

The man on my left gently grabs my arm and helps scoot me to the edge of the seat. He lifts the blindfold and I’m surprised he’s not more gruff.

He holds his hand firmly around my arm that’s clutching the baby against my chest as he helps me step down from the SUV. More compassionate than I would have expected. Does he have a wife? A child? He’s not an evil captor. Well, Lilia seems to be my official captor, but he’s doing her bidding.

“You’re free.” His words shock me.

“Thank you.”

I glance over and see Lilia holding her arm out, motioning for Maxim, Yulian, and Feliks to wait as the man walks me toward the front of the vehicle. Lilia drops her arm and my men come rushing forward, smothering me and Maverik in an embrace. Maverik fusses as we hug too tightly, and everybody backs off a bit to make space.

Yulian brushes my hair over my ear. “Come back to us. We’ll protect you. Please don’t ever scare us and leave without us knowing where you are again. We cannot protect you if you do that.”

He’s right, and I know he is right. I’m forever bound to this world and as much as I don’t want my answer to be forced, it doesn’t feel forced.

Being in their arms feels right. It’s scary, but I made my decision long ago when I knew they were Lazovski and I didn’t run. I made my decision when I chose to stay in Peach Bottom Valley and eventually planned to tell them that one of them was the father. I made my choice and I can live with it because they made the promise I longed to hear.

My decision is clear. “Let’s go home.”

Nineteen

Feliks

Mythroatclogsupevery time I think of the sweetest words I’ve ever heard.

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