Page 38 of Bossed Around By the Bratva

“No,” I replied firmly, standing my ground.

“Akim, I said, leave now. My brothers are on their way. You do not want to be here when they arrive. If Iosif finds out, you’re as good as dead. I will step back. It’s not my problem any longer, should that happen,” he added before returning to Zhen’s side.

I walked to the door and then stopped. Turning back, I looked at Timofey. Awe flooded me as I watched him tenderly wiping her down. He removed her shoes and wiped her feet. He was so gentle with her, so familiar.

Thinking back to the day I saw them in the office. I realized her body language was different around him; she trusted him. What I saw as flirtation was a family quarrel. It had to be true. Her luxury condo, the attacks whenever she was around, could she have been the target all along?

Stepping back, I leaned against the door as I felt the life draining from me. Could she really be one of them? Was Zhen or Zhenya a Chernykh? My heart sank to my feet. This wasn’t the kind of predicament I had thought I would ever find myself in.

Pushing myself up from the wall, I walked back. I sat down on the couch next to her. “No,” I huffed. “I need to hear it from her, not from you. I must have the truth.”

Timofey wiped her face again. I noticed her lashes moving lightly. Then her eyes slowly opened.

“Zhen,” I said, breathing out hard. I was relieved that she was alive.

“Akim,” she whispered. “I’m so, so sorry.”

I was stunned to my core. I had no words as shock vibrated through my bones. She didn’t need to say it, but she did. However, I could see in her eyes that it was all true. She hadbetrayed me. Holding my chest, I knew I had to get out. I have never felt a pain like this.

“Please, you need to understand,” she added. “Please, let me explain.”

Getting up, I shook my head, and my heart sank further. It felt like she had just walked over it. I couldn’t take it anymore. “No,” I replied, waving my hand. “Sorry, no more,” I huffed as I turned and left.

Chapter 20 - Zhenya

I felt my heart shattering into a million pieces as I watched Akim walk out the door. Confusion set in, accompanied by the dizziness I still felt. I coughed as I tried to take a deep breath. This couldn’t be happening.

The smoke inhalation was messing up my thought process and my ability to focus. “Akim,” I called out between coughs.

“Lay back and relax,” I heard Timofey say.

I wanted to get up and run after Akim, but I had to explain to him. But before I could protest, the door swung open. I watched in shock as my brothers and sisters piled in.

Iosif was in the lead, coming to my side. “Are you okay?” he asked, glancing angrily at Timofey. I could hear the concern in his tone, but knew that look all too well. He was hiding his anger behind his care.

“Yes,” I mumbled, still feeling weak.

Iosif took the moist cloth from Timofey as he crouched next to the couch. “What happened?” he enquired as he wiped my forehead.

“Nothing, it was, it…,” I stumbled on my words through a couple of quick breaths.

“You know what,” Iosif spat, glancing angrily at Timofey again. “We’ll get to the bottom of this tomorrow.”

Timofey rose and made space for Misha to sit. She carefully took the cloth from Iosif. “We’ll take care of her tonight. She’ll be safe with Elisse and me,” she spoke softly to Iosif.

“Okay,” Iosif breathed out. “But first thing tomorrow, we’ll talk,” he added, squeezing my hand. I watched as he got up and turned to my brothers. “Find out who did this! I need to know by morning.” He glanced back at me before continuing. “They will pay!”

Avgust, Lukyan, and Timofey nodded. Timofey and Lukyan stepped closer and assisted me up. We moved out to the cars. I was placed in the back of Misha’s car. I could see their love and care, and was grateful to my family. But my heart was bleeding.

I wanted to see Akim. The look in his eyes would haunt me until I could explain everything to him. I had to tell him why I did what I did. I never intended to hurt him. But I knew, for his sake, I had to keep quiet. I needed to hide my heartbreak and pain.

If Iosif or any of my family found out what was happening between us. Clenching my eyes, I bit back the sobs threatening to expose us. There was no telling what my brothers would do if they knew.

We arrived at Misha and Elisse’s place with all the family in tow. Lukyan and Timofey assisted me inside. I still felt weak, but most of the dizziness subsided. “Thank you, guys,” Misha said. “We’ve got her from here.”

Elisse drew me a bath while Misha made some tea. I felt better but tired once I was clean and had a soothing cup. “I think I’ll just lie down for a bit,” I said as we walked to the spare room.

“I’ll check in on you in a bit,” Misha replied as she tucked me in. “Sleep tight,” she added, kissing my forehead. We were a tight-knit family, and I loved it. But my mind kept returning to the look in Akim’s eyes. I felt the tears silently rolling down my cheeks as I finally fell asleep.

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