Page 21 of Bratva Hunter

RORIC

Once again, Fingers figured out another SUV for me to appropriate in an airport parking lot. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport has an incredible number of SUVs in long-term parking to choose from. I’m waiting for Fingers to get back to me with the address of Rosa‘s friend, Melanie, who lives here in Phoenix. My mind races with ideas and schemes, trying to figure out whatis the best way to lure her to go with me. Will it be enough for me to just run into her for her to remember our one-night stand together and just think it’s a coincidence? I’m not sure, but I don’t get a lot of time to dwell on it before Fingers gets back to me. My phone rings. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me. I found that Melanie girl’s address. I’m not sure she’s actually in town though. It appears to me that she’s on some modeling assignment and may have just made it possible for Rosa to show up at her apartment. Do you have a plan to take her? Or are you just going to take care of her?”

I’m not killing her. But I know for a fact there is no way I can just walk up and knock on her door. As a businessman, she last saw me in Prague, but she knows I live in New York City. Somebody from New York wouldn’t just walk up to some house or apartment or condo in Phoenix. “Text me the address and any other information you can give me on Melanie.”

“Sure, not a problem, boss. Let me know if you need anything else.”

‘Boss.’ Now that is something I’ll never be. As the third son to my father, the pakhan to our bratva, I’ll never be the guy in charge. My mind scrambles. If I’m honest with myself, my mind is just so absorbed with seeing her again.

The asphalt crunches under my tires as I drive into the parking lot. This is gonna be way too easy. It’s obvious that lots of these condos are short-term rentals. I pick up my phone and I dial Fingers. “Hey, can you find me a short-term rental in this condo complex?” I can hear him typing on his computer. I’m sure his tongue is hanging out of his mouth, and he’s staring at the screen willing whatever thing I asked for to appear.

He clears his throat. “Yeah. I’ve got one. It’s actually two doors down from Melanie‘s condo.” I smile even though no one is around to notice. “That’s perfect. Can you make it happen inthe next half hour?” The pause annoys me. Normally Fingers is immediate to respond.

The pause breaks as he answers. “Yeah, I think I can make that happen. There’s a coffee shop down the block. You should grab a coffee, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve set this up.”

I decide to sit in the SUV, staring at the building that houses Rosa. I don’t wanna leave. What if something happens, and she decides to leave, then I’ll be chasing my tail again to try to find her?

About twenty minutes later, Fingers calls me back. “Hey. I did it. It took me a little bit more money than I would’ve expected, but the owner of the condo bypassed his required background check in order to get you into the condo now.”

“Great. How do I get in?”

“Everything in his condo is electronic. I’m texting you the code and the directions. Do you want back up?”

Asking me if I want back up annoys the fuck out of me. I growl back at Fingers. “Of course not, when have I ever needed back up?”

“Yeah, yeah I get it. I’m sorry. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

I get out of the SUV, grabbing my bag out of the back and glancing at the instructions to get into the condo. My mind is weaving a tale to tell her when her door opens, and she sees me. I drop my bag at the doorstep, hoping she’s close enough to her door that she’ll be curious and open to peek outside. She doesn’t. I open the door. It’s a typical condo for this area in Phoenix. Nice enough. But wouldn’t be glamorous enough for a rich little princess. I wonder if that’s been broken out of her during her runaway stint? I throw my bag on the table and go to the refrigerator to find a bottle of water. Things you can guarantee in a short-term rental: all the hygiene products you might need and water in the fridge. On the fridge is a list of whatever streamingplatform is available on the TV and a plethora of takeout or delivery restaurants to keep you fed.

I move the chair and sit closer to the door to hear any activity in the hall. Will she just walk out? Does her friend have enough pantry food items or available delivery services to feed her? Will she need to go out? These are all interesting questions, but ultimately the biggest one that’s hanging over my head is how do I get Snow White to come out and meet her hunter? The analogy causes me to smile, and I continue to sit listening to the hallway.

Chapter 6

ROSA

Staring out the window of Melanie’s condo, I count the number of white cars that drive by. Why are there so many white cars in Phoenix? When I called Melanie and she said I could stay here, I thought it would be perfect, but now that I’m here… There is nothing to do. She doesn’t have a TV or a stereo. I guess she’s never really here, so why would she? I flick through the food delivery menus and settle for pizza. My mind searches for the last time I worked out. It’s been forever since I did anything of my usual routine. I don’t even have a cell phone. Julie took it before I got on the truck to get here. Everyone at the bar figured that was how the bikers found me. Thirty minutes later, the knock on my door tells me the driver has left my food. I’m so lucky that Melanie has accounts with the restaurants, and she said I could use them. No one will know it’s not her ordering the food.

RORIC

A few hours pass by, and I’m becoming impatient. I need to figure out a way to get her to come out of her apartment. A person strolls up to her door with a bag. Damn. I should have thought of that. Before I can reach the handle, her door opens, an arm slips out, and the bag is inside. My stomach rumbles as I decide I might as well use the food delivery service myself. Scanning through the plethora of takeout menus, I select the menu for Chinese. I grab my cell phone and order the three entrées I prefer and a beer. If I’m gonna have to sit here for the rest of the night, I should eat.

Twenty minutes later, a knock at the door reminds me I still need to move my chair. Stretching my neck, I stand, slide the chair aside, and open the door. A nerdy-looking young man stands there, holding out a plastic bag while awkwardly juggling a small cooler. As I take the bag and shift it in my hand, he pulls out the single bottle of beer and gives it to me.

I thank the kid and nod as the door opens catty corner across the hall. Rosa steps out with a basket, and her eyes catch mine. I tell myself to make it good. “Rosa?” Damn, I could get an Oscar for this performance.

Her face lights up and then dims, her smile hovers but never quite clicks onto her face. “Rory?”

I push open my door to set my food down just inside the door. Smiling, I approach her across the hall. “Oh my God, I never thought I’d see you again after you snuck out of my hotel room.”

The slight blush that creeps up her cheeks reminds me of when I tied her hands for the first time. She dips her head and picks it back up. “What are you doing here?”

There’s a hint of happiness in that question. “I’m in town for a few weeks, and my company arranged a short-term rentalinstead of a hotel.” Leaning against the wall, I try to look more casual as she fumbles with the basket in her arm.

“Wow I…”

I smile. This is my opportunity to put her in her place and make her more amenable to my request. Crossing my arms, I look down at the little nymph and speak with a small growl to my tone. “You just left.”

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