Bratva Boss’ Baby by Winter Sloane
Chapter Thirteen
“Ava, I’m surprised you came in for work today,” Katya said.
The other woman nudged a take-away coffee cup at her. Ava paused from working on her current spreadsheet. Ava had been nearly tempted to call in sick, but that would make her appear weak, wouldn’t it? She didn’t want to show Viktor, Katya, or anyone at the office that yesterday’s events spooked her.
She was made of sterner stuff. Besides, what was she supposed to do? Call the cops and tell them, what? Her boss beat the shit of his brother? She had a feeling that decision would have disastrous consequences. Ava might not have the whole picture, but she knew enough that messing with Viktor and his operations was a bad move.
“How’s Pavel?” she asked. Ava gingerly picked up Katya’s peace offering. She took a sip and sighed. Latte with soy milk. Katya knew what she liked.
“In the hospital. The doctor said he’ll make a full recovery.” Katya pulled her swivel chair and positioned herself next to Ava. Her desk wasn’t exactly small, but it was crowded with old files and documents. It was clear Katya wanted to talk. All Ava wanted to do was her job. Focus on her reports. Work gave her a way out from thinking too much about what happened yesterday.
“Ava, I know yesterday scared you,” Katya said. “Seeing what Viktor is capable of—”
The other woman trailed off, becoming all misty eyed. Katya seemed to be seeing something she couldn’t. The past, perhaps?
“Viktor and Pavel, they’re like brothers to me,” Katya said.
Ava blinked, not expecting that revelation. Katya had a different last name, she remembered.
“You’re adopted?” she asked.
“My entire family was killed. I was the only survivor. Viktor and Pavel’s father made a promise to my father to take care of me. I grew up with them.” Katya spoke in a halting voice, as if she wasn’t entirely sure about sharing the details of her personal life with a complete stranger like Ava.
Killed. Katya had specifically used that word, and Ava had a feeling it was carefully chosen. She swallowed. “I’m sorry to hear about your family.”
“It was a long time ago. I hardly remember them.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“Because I want you to understand that Viktor isn’t necessarily a bad person.”
Ava scoffed. “Of course, you’d say that. He’s your brother.”
“Viktor and Pavel’s upbringing isn’t exactly what you’d call normal. I was there. His father left me alone, but he’d been ruthless when it came to his sons. He raised them the only way he knew how. Sometimes the punishments he gave his boys had been so severe, they spent weeks in the hospital.” Katya shivered.
Ava consciously rubbed at the goosebumps that appeared across her arms.
Viktor had hinted at his father’s abuse, she remembered, but he didn’t exactly seem interested in elaborating. She couldn’t blame him.
“So, you’re telling me he’s that way because of the way he was brought up?” Ava asked. She shook her head. “That still doesn’t excuse him for what he did to Pavel.”
“No,” Katya agreed. “But it’s not the first time they beat each other to a pulp. Their father always made them fight each other. He said whoever won would someday inherit the family business.”
God. Viktor’s father sounded like a real monster. He could take the crown for Worst Father of the Universe.
“Katya, brothers beating each other to near death can’t be normal.”
“Not to you perhaps.” Katya touched her arm. “There’s a reason why you came to work today. Why you took this job. Isn’t it because you’ve started to care for Viktor in your own way?”
“I needed the money, so I accepted this position,” she said.
Katya flashed her sly smile. The other woman knew Ava wasn’t telling the complete truth. Why did she continue coming to work day in and day out, despite having suspicions about Viktor and his business? A wiser woman would’ve quit and found another job.
“Viktor’s not so bad, especially once you get to know him. He’s fiercely loyal to those who’ve won his trust.” Katya withdrew her hand. “Give him another chance. Please?”
“I’ll think about it,” she said.
“Okay. Good.” Katya returned to her desk.
Her mind was in turmoil. It took everything out of her to focus on her job. A man who didn’t hesitate to inflict harm on his own brother would end up hurting her in the long run. At least that was what logic stated, and yet Ava sensed Viktor would never lay a finger on her. Viktor had his good side, she was sure of it.
Ava pictured him seeing her home the night before. How protective he’d been. She couldn’t forget the small smiles he sometimes flashed at her at the office. Not to mention the one night they had together. That she’d never forget. What about what happened to Pavel? She couldn’t dismiss yesterday like it didn’t happen. Nothing made sense anymore. She couldn’t believe she was letting Katya’s words get back to her.
Viktor’s entire family seemed crazy. The best course of action was to get away from this confusing mess. Ava would type out a resignation letter. She’d hand it to Viktor herself and promise him she’d tell no one about what she saw. Viktor, Pavel, and Katya could resume their not-so-ordinary lives as usual before Ava had come into the picture.
“You’re busy at work as usual. Have you taken your lunch break?”
She looked up, not understanding why her heart always beat a little faster whenever Viktor was around. This wasn’t right. Ava wasn’t normal. Why did Viktor still have such an effect on her?
“You’re back from your meeting,” she said, then thought about his question. “Oh. I didn’t realize it was lunchtime.”
He chuckled, and for some reason, despite everything, she still found that sound incredibly sexy. Ava was doomed. She didn’t even notice it then, but somehow, she let this man dig his claws deep inside her skin. Now, it was too painful to let go.
“Let’s eat together. I have some free time. Before that, I was thinking of paying a visit to my brother. What do you say?”
She blinked, certainly not expecting that. Ava hardly knew Pavel. Truth be told, she was a little scared of him, but he’d been hurt for her sake. She owed him a visit.
“Okay, just let me save this and I’ll grab my coat and purse.”
“Lunch is on me.”
“I can’t let you do that. You’re my boss.”
“We both know I’m more than that.”
What the hell did he mean by that? They only had sex once, and Viktor had walked her to her apartment. That was it. They weren’t friends or anything, but she could see Viktor was doing his best.
“Okay.” She didn’t have any energy to argue. They left the building and took Viktor’s car to the Hartwell Medical Center, the finest hospital in the city. Viktor opened her car door for her, just like a gentleman, although by now, she knew a monster lurked under his skin. Ava also noticed something else.
“What’s wrong?” Viktor asked, following her gaze to a black sedan parked two rows from them in the parking lot.
“That car followed us here,” she whispered to him.
“Relax. It’s one of mine.”
“One of yours? Employees of yours?” she asked, confused.
“Something like that. Don’t think too much on it. Pavel’s waiting.” Just like that, Viktor spirited her toward the hospital. Questions still swirled in her head. She caught a glimpse of the men in the sedan. Ava thought she’d seen them before, at Viktor’s club. They reminded her more of bodyguards than simple employees. Nothing was ever normal when it came to Viktor.
They stopped at the front desk.
“I’m here to see my brother, Pavel Kotov,” Viktor told the nurse.
The nurse paled at those words, although Ava wasn’t sure why. She even stood up from her desk, called for a nurse to take over, then escorted them personally to the third floor.
“Would you like to speak to the doctor?” the nurse asked Viktor.
“There’s no need for that. He’ll be fine, yes?” Viktor asked.
The nurse nodded and seemed to be relieved when Viktor waved her away. Just who the hell was Viktor?
“Do you own shares of this hospital?” she asked.
“Something like that. I like to dabble in everything.”
“What does that mean, exactly?”
“The more pieces you own of this city, the easier it is to control.” Viktor shrugged and opened the door. Ava hesitated, then stepped inside. She expected the worst, but Pavel was sitting up in bed, gaze glued on the flatscreen TV on the wall. His left hand was in a sling.
“Just a broken arm, no other broken bones or internal injuries. See? He’s fine,” Viktor said, like he was proud of that. Ava narrowed her eyes and crossed her eyes. Oh, God. She was seriously attracted to this psychopath? What other word was appropriate to describe Viktor?
“I wasn’t expecting a visit,” Pavel said, turning the TV off. He looked surprised to see them. Ava came forward and held out a brown bag.
“What’s this?” Pavel asked, accepting it.
“Double bacon cheeseburgers from Freddy’s Diner. Katya mentioned they were your favorite,” she said.
Viktor rolled his eyes. “She insisted on stopping by Freddy’s before coming here. There goes the extra time for our lunch date.”
“It’s not a date,” she interrupted. Viktor only looked amused.
“You’re an angel.” Pavel beamed at him. One-handed, he reached into the bag. He unwrapped the burger and dug in. “The food here’s terrible.”
“How are you feeling?” she asked him.
“Not fantastic, but not too terrible,” he said in between bites.
“Okay, that’s good to know.” Sensing the brothers wanted to talk, Ava took a deep breath. “I’ll be outside. I’m sure you two have plenty to discuss. I’m really glad you’re looking better, Pavel.”
“I’ve learned my lesson. You’re off-limits. I get it.” Pavel joked, but Ava could sense Pavel was hiding his bitterness and anger. She didn’t blame him. It was her fault he was in the hospital. Wait. That wasn’t exactly accurate. Pavel had Viktor to thank for placing him here.
“This won’t be long,” Viktor told her.
“Take all the time you need,” she said.