Page 46 of Bossed Around By the Bratva

Walking to the bookshelf against the opposite wall, I studied the book, trying to calm my mind. Most of them were business-related. In the bottom corner were a couple of fantasy books, which I found interesting.

Chewing my nails, I flopped down in the chair next to Tasha. If I was being honest with myself, I had to admit that I was shit scared my plan would backfire and get someone killed.

I sighed, turning my attention to the monitors. I listened as the teams started asking for entry codes. Tasha’s fingers moved over the keyboard as if she were a robot or something. She had an abnormal speed.

While we worked together to find these locations, I learned she was a fabulous hacker. But I had never seen something like this. I was brought out of my thoughts as I heard Akim’s voice over the radio. “We’re in place.”

Tasha handed me an earpiece. “Here, put this in. We are changing to a secure line.”

I moved my hair and wiggled the small black plastic pea-like shaped earpiece into my ear. Tasha’s hands flew across the keys again as the other teams confirmed their readiness.

She spoke as soon as she hit the Enter button. “The door should be open, guys.”

Looking up at the monitors, I saw the men entering the buildings. She had created distractions in other parts of the building to pull the men from their guarding posts. Sitting back, my mind traveled back to the mission plans.

It was a sabotage mission only. One team would take out their transport, one their storage, and Akim’s team was tohandle the docks. Knowing it was my plan, my brothers wouldn’t have agreed. So Akim decided to pitch it to the families. Once everyone agreed, he told them it was my idea.

Iosif then tried to diss the plan, but it was too late. Now, everything was in Akim’s hands. We just had to wait and see how it went. Getting up, I started pacing again. This was going to drive me up the walls, I thought as I battled, keeping a clear head.

Tasha motioned for me to join her again. As I sat down, she spoke. “Listen to the scanner and let us know if there is any movement.”

I nodded and picked up the earphones plugged into the scanner. I held it to my other ear, listening as our missions progressed. It was exceptionally quiet, as if they were waiting for us.

I listened to Akim’s voice as he reported their status. “We’ve set the charges and are moving out now.” I breathed out hard as relief settled back in me. Then, I swallowed hard as a series of explosions went off. “Akim, Akim,” I asked over the radio.

“We’re good,” he replied shortly. I was glad no one got caught in it, and the operation seemed to have worked. But it was nothing compared to the excitement I felt as the police scanner went off.

“10-79 reported. Send all available units to the docks!” I heard someone blaring over the scanner.

I felt like laughing as this was what we hoped would happen. With the cops involved, the Aslanovs wouldn’t be able to return to their places on the docks. But at the same time, I feared for Akim and the rest. My feelings were all over the place, and I couldn’t figure out what I was actually feeling.

Turning to Tasha, I spoke quickly. I could hear the distress in my voice. “The cops are on their way. This means everything went as planned?”

“Yes, it does,” she replied, grinning.

Speaking into the radio, I knew I had to warn the men. “You need to get out. The plan worked, the cops are on their way.”

“We’ll be back soon, see you then,” Akim said before the line went dead. Tasha got up. Pulling me to my feet, she did a small victory dance. I tried to follow, but didn’t know all the moves yet. We laughed as we sat back down. “You will learn it,” she said.

“Thanks, I’m going to stretch my legs,” I said as I got up. Tasha nodded and continued to type away at the keyboard. Stepping past Iosif, I headed towards the elevator. I wanted to wait for Akim. Hearing footsteps behind me, I looked around. Iosif had followed me. He stopped about a foot away.

Looking at him, I couldn’t help but fiddle with the sides of my dress. He had his usual angry look, and I wondered what had ticked him off. Glancing around, I didn’t know if I should run or stay. The only side he had was one of anger. I had never seen a soft side, even though he was generally the calmest one of us all.

He met my look, then sighed before speaking. “I owe you an apology. I can now see that all that the brat said was true. I can also see how much he cares. A man who stands up for a woman like he did for you. Protecting her honor and insisting on your place in business and life. Well, he probably does love you.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. A silence filled my mind, removing any and all thoughts. His words were so deep. Never in my life had I heard him say something like it.

Grabbing him around the waist, I hugged him with all my strength. “I understand why you didn’t want to see me growing up. But we all have to fly eventually,” I said softly. He sighed as he patted me on the back before lightly pushing me away.

I felt the smile pulling at my lips as he continued. “I care for you, you know that.” I have never known him to show any form of emotion or affection. I was stumped. “I realize now that I can’t keep you locked in a cage to preserve your beauty. The world needs to know you.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead before turning and walking off.

Looking at him as he walked away, I struggled to wrap my mind around his words. I had never thought I would ever get to hear them. But all my thoughts disappeared. My mind went blank as Akim and the others walked through the doors.

I felt my tears welling up as I saw him in one piece and safe. Not caring about my behavior, I ran to him and jumped into his arms. He wrapped his muscular arms around me as he tried to stay on his feet. I hadn’t intended to cry, but the feelings rushed me, and my tears came anyway.

I whispered in his ear as he made a slow circle holding me up. “I’m so glad you are safe.”

He placed me back down on my feet. “Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked

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