Page 62 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

Abram steps closer, his voice a command as the head of our unit. “Then help us get her back.”

“What can we possibly do?” Gavril says, giving his cousin a worried look.

“You’re worried about upsetting Charlie?” my voice booms through the room. Beside me, Denis places a calming hand on my shoulder. In a calmer tone, I add, “You said yourself he’s a loose cannon. He'll burn you at the first chance he gets.”

I see a flicker of doubt in Gavril's eyes. I press on, my tone persuasive. “Look, I know we've had our differences in the past. But this isn't about that. This is about an innocent woman's life. Not just any innocent woman.Mywoman.”

There’s a tense silence in the air, an unspoken understanding of what that means. Kill the Bratva, leave the women and children. There are rules, even amongst thieves.

Finally, Maksim nods. “We’ll do everything we can, knowing how much she means to you. You know we can't risk becoming enemies with the Zolotovs and Orlovs. It's bad for business, and we don’t want to face the consequences for something we had no part in.”

Gavril's jaw clenches. “What do you need from us?”

Relief surges through me. “I need to get into Charlie's compound undetected. I have a plan, but I need your help to pull it off.”

They exchange a glance. “What's the plan?” Gavril asks.

“You need to call Charlie and ask to meet. Maksim and you. I’ll join you. The only thing is, he won’t know who I am. Remember, gentlemen, what we need most is the element of surprise. I’ll disguise myself as one of your bodyguards.”

Maksim nods slowly. “We can do that. But Mark, if this goes sideways...”

“It won't,” I say firmly. “I'll get Quinn out, and we'll deal with Charlie once and for all.”

We shake on it, a tense understanding passing between us.

***

I change into the bodyguard uniform provided by the Letvins as quickly as I can. Every second counts.

Abram helps me strap on a bulletproof vest. “You sure about this, Mark?”

“I have to be.” I meet his gaze, my eyes blazing with resolve. “I can't lose her, Abram. I won't.”

He nods, understanding in his eyes. “We'll be right behind you. Just give the signal, and we'll come in guns blazing.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. I picture Quinn alone and afraid in Charlie's clutches.

Hang on, Baby. I'm coming for you.

With one last nod to my family, I slip out of the room and join the ranks of the Letvin men. My brothers can’t risk infiltrating so soon; too many of us could give ourselves away. But I know they’ll be watching from a safe distance, ready to come if we need them.

My heart hammers in my chest as we get into a G-wagon and drive towards the warehouse where Charlie has asked his cousins to come to for a meeting. It’s the same location he had sent me.

Quinn needs me, and I'll move heaven and earth to bring her back safely. Even if it means staring down the barrel of Charlie's gun myself.

***

We reach the nondescript warehouse and exit the vehicles. I walk with the other bodyguards behind Maksim and Gavril. They flash their IDs on the monitor, and once we enter, Gavril looks at me and gives me one final nod before we continue walking.

The warehouse has a dampness to it, a dinginess and darkness. My blood roars in my ears at imagining that Quinn is down here in this filth. Charlie Letvin is about to learn a lesson he should have learned years ago.

I keep my eyes open for doors, exits, and turns in the hallways. If by chance Quinn isn’t with Letvin, I’ll need to sneak out and find her. For any door that is ajar, I look inside, and when I find it devoid of Quinn’s presence, I make a mental note not to use that one if I have to return down this route in search of her.

At last, we reach a door at the end of a hallway to the right of where we entered from. It’s wide open, a light spilling out.Maksim and Gavril exchange looks and motion at us to follow them into a large, circular room.

I hear Charlie before I see him.

“Cousins,” he says, stepping out from the darkness with his arms outstretched to his brothers. “What gives me the pleasure of seeing you today?”

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