Page 24 of Secret Bratva Baby
Inside, Lily is awake, sitting up in bed and staring around herself in confusion.
“Mommy?” she mutters sleepily.
“Hi, my baby girl, did you sleep well? Do you want to come to the kitchen and see if there’s anything yummy we can make for breakfast?”
“Mm,” she murmurs. She’s never been a good morning person. The first fifteen to twenty minutes after waking up, she’s confused and cute as a button. It always makes me laugh.
I scoop her into my arms and carry her towards the kitchen, hesitating for a moment before I walk in.
The delicious scent of coffee relaxes me. It gives me a sense that at least something is normal, despite everything else that’s going on.
Chapter 7 - Luka
We’ve been locked up in the hideout for two days now, and the small space is making it difficult to avoid them. I keep bumping into Lily and Rose, in the kitchen, in the hallways, in the living room—I can’t seem to escape them.
It’s difficult to be so close to her, but there are other things on my mind.
I’m also worried about all the things I’m not getting to while I’m here. Are the shipments getting out on time? Is Yilian pissed off with me for dumping everything on his plate? Does Niko know what’s going on? I can’t take it. I know I’m supposed to keep contact to a minimum when in a safehouse, but I need to know what’s going on out there.
Late afternoon, after lunch, I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Yilian’s number.
Sitting on the sofa, looking out of the window into the small garden, I press the phone against my ear and wait for him to answer.
It takes longer than usual, and each ring makes me more tense, but when he answers, he sounds fine. Maybe I’m just wound up. Maybe it didn’t take that long to answer.
“Hey man, how are things going over there?” he asks.
“It’s okay. We’re safe. Are you managing to stay on top of things for Niko? I’m really sorry I dumped all of that on you at the last minute.”
He chuckles. “That’s what brothers are for, right?” he says, a smile in his voice. “What’s it like, seeing her again?”
I didn’t tell all of my brothers about how it felt to lose Rose, but Yilian was a source of strength for me through that time. He knows how much it hurt me to lose her.
“It’s—“ I pause, searching for the right word to describe what I’m going through, what it feels like. But I can’t find one.
Yilian laughs again. “I see,” he teases.
I chuckle. “It’s complicated, man.”
“I’m sure it is. Listen, if you need anything delivered, just shout. I can bring it myself; that will be the best way to make sure no one follows.”
“Thanks, for now we’re okay. The place was really well stocked. I know I don’t really have toaskthis specifically, but can you just keep it all low-key? Ark tends to be a bit crazy with things, and I don’t want to worry Niko while he’s away.”
“I get it. It’s on the down-low. I haven’t been talking to any of them about it,” he agrees.
“And the rivals—with Rose out of the picture, what are they up to?” I ask, having had very little contact with the outside since I got here, which means I have no idea what’s been going on since I killed that guy. I’ve had no updates regarding the situation.
Yilian sighs. “We’re not sure. They’ve gone quiet. We’re going to have to wait this one out. At least we know she’s safe. I have some guys trying to suss out and hear what’s been talked about on the streets, but I’ve got no news yet.”
“Okay. Well, tell me if you hear anything.”
“Will do.”
We end the call, and I stand up, pacing up and down the living room.
I doubt the rivals are just going to accept the situation for what it is and let it go. They were hell-bent on revenge, and they’ll be furious that I killed their guy. I don’t know who he was to them—just a hired gun, or part of their family. It’s the principle, though. I took one of theirs, and their target, Rose. They will want one of ours. And they still want the revenge they were set out to get in the first place.
At least I feel a bit better after talking to Yil. He doesn’t seem to have any resentment towards me for giving him the extra work.
