Page 12 of Impregnated By the Bratva

Turning to face me, he placed a hand on my knee. “Grace,” he said softly. “Please sit for a moment and observe the campus. Take a good look before you decide to get out.”

Looking around, I didn’t see anything out of place. I didn’t know what he wanted me to see. “There,” I said angrily. “I looked, and all is fine. Now open the door.” I felt my throat closing as I tried to swallow the spit accumulating in my mouth.

“No, study the people, the cars, and the building slowly. Take in what you are seeing,” he urged.

Taking a second look, I tried to keep an open mind. After a while, I noticed a man leaning against the side of the building. He was wearing a dark brown jacket. The jacket was a size or two too big, and I had never seen him before.

With this in mind, I really studied the other people. I searched for the anomalies and found them. On the street corner was a dark van, and a man stood against it. He kept looking at the university.

There was another one that I noticed had passed by for the third time. He nodded at the man by the van and then came back up the street. When he moved past the place where the other one was, he nodded again.

Sitting back, frustrated, I looked at Makari. “Okay,” I huffed. “I see them. Take me to the coffee shop two blocks down. I’m sure if I wait another hour or so, they will leave.”

Makari nodded and started his truck. He turned around and headed for the coffee shop. He once again parked half a block away. “Look here as well,” he said as he killed the engine. “Don’t just jump out.”

Again, I studied the people and the cars. Realizing he was right again, I swallowed hard as a lump pushed up in my throat. “Okay,” I admitted, feeling defeated. “I see them.”

Makari nodded but kept quiet. “Take me to my friend’s place then. Surely, they won’t know about her as I haven’t been there many times. I can ask her if I could spend the night.”

He shrugged, looking at me with raised brows.

“Oh, yes,” I said. “Two blocks down and then left. She stays at the second house from the corner.”

Makari started the truck again and followed the directions I gave. He stopped across the street. “Thank you,” I said, reaching for the door handle. “I’m sure I can take it from here.”

Before I could open the door, he had shifted across the seat and held it closed. I had had enough of him and couldn’t stop the words from pouring out as I pushed the door while he was pulling on it. “Let go, this is ridiculous, let me go.”

“No, wait,” he huffed, glancing at me. “Please look around first. You’re not safe here, Grace. You’re not safe anywhere!”

Letting go, I sat back and looked around. On the corner was another dark van with a man leaning on the side. As we sat there, I noticed another two men moving up and down the street. Every time they passed each other, they nodded.

Then, I saw two other men coming down the street. One was carrying a tray of coffee, and the other a brown paper bag. They stopped at the first man and handed him a coffee and a snack or food. Moving down, they also gave the second man coffee and food before joining the man in the van.

They opened the side door and got into the van. Before it closed, I saw the long table with large monitors and what looked like earphones lying before them. I jumped, placing my hands over my mouth to prevent the scream from coming out as Makari spoke in my ear. “That’s a surveillance van. They’re keeping an eye on all the places you’ve ever been. Do you believe me now?”

Feeling crushed, I sat back, breathing heavily as he moved over to his side. The first tears pushed through my closed eyelids and rolled down my cheek. Glancing at him, I cleared my throat before speaking, but I could still hear the quivering. “Are you going to kill me as well?”

It looked like I had shot him as he instantly sat back. His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open.

“What?” he uttered. “No, no, no, Grace.” Makari took hold of my shoulder. Shaking me lightly, he continued to speak. “I am the one who is going to protect you; I promise you that.”

A strange sense of relief washed over me. I didn’t know this man from a bar of soap, yet, for some odd reason, I suddenly felt safe around him. Taking a deep breath, I shook my head as I replied. “Okay, thank you.” I could hear the hesitation coming through in my tone, but couldn’t hide it.

Makari took my hand. He squeezed lightly as he spoke. “Grace, believe me when I say, you are safer with me than out there on your own.”

Nodding slowly, I swallowed the mountain growing inside my throat. “Okay,” I whispered, barely able to get a word out.

“Right,” he huffed. “Let me take you to my place. You will be safe there.” I noticed a flickering in his eyes as he spoke.

“Would it be possible to collect some of my things, please?” I begged.

“I can send some men tomorrow,” he stated plainly.

“There are things I would rather collect myself. Plus, I need clothes and other stuff as well,” I added softly. “Please, don’t make me beg.”

“Sure,” he replied, turning the truck around again, heading to my dorms.

He killed the lights even before he pulled into the driveway. “We must be quick,” he said, jumping out. Makari opened the door for me and followed me inside. We went up the stairs to the second floor. I was grateful that I had no roommate. After entering my room, he closed the door and stood waiting. Moving as quickly as possible, I grabbed the bare necessities and some clothing.

---