Bratva Boss’ Baby by Winter Sloane
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ava watched Viktor driving away from the second-floor bedroom. Unease settled in the pit of her stomach. Viktor told her not to worry, that he’d eventually come back for her and their unborn child. Had he been lying? A knock on her door made her jump. Ava wasn’t sure she’d ever become used to living in the Kotov mansion. Katya poked her head in the room.
“I’m about to drive Anya to preschool. Want to tag along? We can have breakfast after,” Katya said.
It sounded like a tempting offer. Ava could pretend to be normal again for a few hours, but was that what she truly wanted? Viktor had been true to his word. His men had already transferred the entire contents of her studio apartment back to her mansion. Even her work computer had been brought here. Ava thought she could do some work to distract herself, but she was wrong. She had trouble focusing. Her mind was everywhere.
“Would Viktor’s men let us?” Ava asked, finally taking her gaze away from the window. Viktor’s car had long disappeared from sight. Her worry only continued to mount. She couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had enveloped her. The boss is suicidal, she’d overheard one of Viktor’s men saying earlier.
“Well, we’d have bodyguards with us. They’ll be unobtrusive as possible. You’ll barely notice they’re there,” Katya said, tone apologetic. Seeing the wary expression on her face, Katya walked to her. “Ava, you’re carrying Viktor’s child. Of course, Viktor ordered his men to guard you with their lives.”
Hearing Russian voices and rumbling car engines, Ava peered out the window again. She frowned. Another car was parked in the driveway. She recognized Aleksander. He was handing assault rifles to two of his men. Two duffel bags lay at their feet, and Ava didn’t need to be a genius to know more guns were in there.
“A change of scenery would do you some good,” Katya said, joining her by the window. “We can even do some window shopping after that.”
“What’s happening?” Ava interrupted. She didn’t mean to be rude. It was clear Katya was trying to distract her, but it wasn’t working. “I don’t know much about guns, but that’s some serious weaponry they’re packing.”
Katya sighed. “Viktor told you he had a plan, yes?”
Ava nodded. Then she understood. “Oh. So, Viktor only pretended to go alone to the Mogilevich Bratva’s headquarters but in reality, he has backup?”
Hope kindled in her chest. Ava kept imagining Viktor being shot full of bullets or worse, tortured slowly until he was barely coherent. Damn him for worrying her endlessly like this.
“There’s just one problem with his plan,” Katya said. She looked troubled, and that didn’t sit quite right with Ava.
“What problem?” she pressed.
“Viktor needs to buy time until reinforcements arrive. I’m not sure how he’ll keep Goran talking, especially when Pavel and his life are both at stake.” Katya paused. “Viktor’s not known for being a patient man.”
Ava had heard enough. Surely, Viktor didn’t think Ava would just wait here like a good girl? Waiting didn’t get anything done. She ran past Katya.
“Ava, wait. Where are you going?” Katya demanded.
Ava left the room and bolted down the staircase, two steps at a time. She’d never been a fast runner, but even her speed impressed her. Ava was slightly out of breath by the time she reached the driveway. Seeing the seat next to the driver’s was empty, she unthinkingly slid inside the car. Aleksander, who’d been sitting in the driver’s seat, turned to her with a frown. Ava mutely put her seat belt on.
“What are you doing?” Aleksander demanded. “Exit the vehicle immediately. We are running on a tight schedule.”
“I’m coming with you.” Ava crossed her arms and glared at Aleksander.
“Are you out of your mind, woman?” Aleksander asked. “Where is Katya? She’s supposed to be watching you. Damn it.”
“I’m not going anywhere. Get that into your head,” she said. “Take me with you, or we can sit here and argue all morning.”
They entered a short staring contest. Someone pounded against her window. Katya looked frazzled and panicked, so unlike her usual elegant and collected self. Ava instantly felt sorry for her, but she had to make sure Viktor would be all right.
“Ava, get out of the car this instant!” Katya said. She tried the door, but Ava locked it. Aleksander groaned. He looked like he was nursing a headache. Well, he better get used to it because Ava intended to be a pain in his ass.
Maybe Viktor had conveniently forgotten the fact he’d sort of proposed to her earlier. More like Viktor demanded they get married, but whatever. They were supposed to be partners. A relationship was a two-way street, not one. Viktor should’ve shared his ill-conceived plan with her. Once he returned, they were going to have a very serious talk. While she didn’t exactly want to know the exact details of his operations, she needed to be informed of major decisions and plans.
“Fine,” Aleksander said. “But we can’t guarantee your safety.”
Aleksander started the engine. Katya backed away. She looked more mad than worried now.
“I have to do this,” she mouthed to the other woman.
They sped away from the driveway.
“You’re crazy, you know that? Viktor will have my head if he finds out we took you along,” Aleksander grumbled. “Not to mention Katya won’t ever forgive me for this.”
The two men in the backseat chuckled. Aleksander said something curt in Russian and that shut them both up.
“You only need to be concerned about protecting Viktor. I’ll explain to him that I insisted on coming,” Ava said firmly. “That this is all on me.”
“How noble of you. I’m not sure what you think you’ll be able to accomplish. Do you even know how to use a gun?” Aleksander asked skeptically. He already looked like he regretted taking Ava along. She better change his mind quickly before he decided to bring her back to the house. Not the best move. Viktor’s and Pavel’s lives were hanging on a frayed thread. Didn’t Aleksander understand there wasn’t any time for silly debates?
“I’m not an idiot. I won’t get in your way, but you’ll need a getaway driver, right? I’m assuming the three of you will go inside, guns blazing?” Ava asked.
Aleksander stopped at a red traffic light and looked at her contemplatively. “Hmm. Perhaps there’s more to you than I initially assumed. Will you be able to keep a steady hand on the wheel? We don’t know what state we’ll find Viktor and Pavel.”
“You can count on me,” Ava said.
Aleksander entered a neighborhood Ava was unfamiliar with. The apartment buildings were old, falling apart. The people on the sidewalk gave them hostile stares as their car passed. An angry-looking teen even gave them a finger. “What’s with this place?”
“This territory is controlled by the Mogilevich Bratva. The residents in this area know we’re outsiders,” Aleksander said.
He entered a smaller street and stopped the car in an alleyway strewn with garbage. Ava peered at her surroundings. They parked in the back of an old factory. Ava didn’t see anyone in sight.
“Take this,” Aleksander said, leaving one handgun with her. “Just in case. We won’t take long. Don’t lose your nerve now.”
“Worry more about yourselves,” she said, accepting the gun.
Ava was glad her hands didn’t shake and her voice remained even. Truth be told, she was a bundle of nerves. What had she been thinking? She was an accountant, for crying out loud. These men were well-trained and dangerous. They could handle themselves, but Ava? She wouldn’t be able to put much of a fight.
She wasn’t just risking her own life but also her baby’s. Ava could be out having breakfast with Katya, but even if she did that, she’d be worried about Viktor and Pavel the entire time. Either way, it was too late now.
“We’re good to go. Keep the engine running and don’t take your eye off your surroundings. Is your cell phone with you?” Aleksander asked.
She nodded and gave him and the other men her personal number. They exited the car. Ava placed the gun on the dashboard for easy access. Her phone began to vibrate. Gina was calling, but Ava couldn’t afford any distractions, so she let it go to voicemail. She looked out the windows and saw Aleksander using a pin to break inside. A pin? Weren’t they running on a tight schedule? Then Ava remembered they couldn’t attract any unnecessary noise, at least not yet. She took deep breaths. She could do this. Her job was easy.
Ava had never been religious, but she sent a silent prayer to the Big Guy above. Keep Aleksander and his guys safe.
“Viktor, you better not be dead,” Ava whispered to the empty car. “I can’t raise this baby alone.”