Page 2 of Her Protector

“Getting shot usually does.” I'd taken one in the leg a few months ago and almost bled out, much like Sergei was right now. "But you know that."

At twenty-eight, my cousin was ten years older than me. Bratva men learned early. Blood and violence were our bread and butter. There wasn't anything soft or caring for us. We cut our teeth on target practice. My grandfather taught me how to shoot a gun when I could barely hold it.

And what was it all for?

More money? A better Russia? Yeah, that was laughable.

Sergei grunted his approval, and I looked over to see his eyes closed.

Fuck. I pulled into the driveway, not bothering to park in the garage, and floored it to the front door. Viktor was already waiting, a lit cigar clutched between two of his fingers and a glass of vodka in the other hand.

At least Doc stood next to him.

I slammed the car in park and was out the door without bothering to get my keys out of the ignition. My cousin was the priority right now, not a car. I had five others in the garage.

Opening the passenger door, I grabbed Sergei's arm and dragged him from the car. "Wake up, cousin. You still need to take your long-distance shooting award back from me."

He barked out a laugh, and I was thankful for the sound.

Doc assisted me in getting him inside before shooing me away.

Babushka met me at the bottom of the stairs, her face a mask of concern as she took in the blood staining my clothes. It wasn't the first time she'd seen me like this, and God only knew how many times she'd seen my grandfather like this.

I was so tired as she opened her arms for me, and I walked straight into them. She was the only warmth and comfort I had in this world. My mother died when I was just a baby, so she was the only reason I'd ever known love and affection.

"Andrei."

I dropped my forehead to her shoulder, hunching so she didn't have to bend too far. We had almost a foot of height difference, so bending was required.

"Sasha is gone." I wasn't sure I even said the words out loud, but I must have because she squeezed me tighter.

"He saved your life, Andrei." She pulled back and framed my face in her small hands. "It should not be in vain."

I nodded and gritted my teeth to keep from betraying too much emotion.

Viktor was never far away where me andBabushkawere concerned.

"Go, take a shower." She patted my cheek. "I left you a sleeping pill on the bathroom counter in case you need it. If anything changes with Sergei, I'll come get you."

I was only able to nod. There were no words left. At least none that mattered.

Three days later, Sergei was recovering, and I boarded a plane to the US.

Nothing would ever be the same again.

CHAPTER 1

Lottie

“My name is Viktor Volkov, and I believe you know my grandson, Andrei.”

My jaw dropped as I realized why the man—Viktor—looked familiar.

He was Andrei’s grandfather.

When I was shoved into the back of the car by two Russian goons, I would never have thought it would be Viktor Volkov, one of the most powerful Pahkans in the Bratva, and one of the most feared men in Russia.

“I go back to my original question. What is it you want with me, Mr. Volkov?”

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