Page 26 of Bratva, Baby
“Aye, but you’ll notice your men are otherwise indisposed. It is just you and me. I am sure you have heard the old saying, ‘If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.’”
Andrei’s gun is pointed at the man he called Fionn, and his finger is on the trigger. “What are you talking about with my father? How could you be involved with my father's death? It was a suicide.”
“Aye, again. We all know what happened. He killed himself and his best friend after becoming convinced his best friend and second in command was betraying him. But who do you think planted those seeds of doubt? Who do you think fed him the information that eventually led to him ‘going mad’? Was he really mad?” Fionn says, conversationally, as if he didn’t just drop a bomb on Andrei.
While Andrei takes in the information, I resume my search for a clear path to the door. I heard him say he is here alone, so hopefully that means the path to the exit is clear.
Right as I go to move from my hiding spot, a shot rings out, but it doesn’t come from Andrei’s gun; it comes from Fionn’s, and it hits Andrei in the arm, making his weapon go sliding across the floor, closer to me.I didn’t even see the old man have a gun, but now Andrei is vulnerable. I need to help him.
I stay in my hiding spot, stricken that Andrei lost his weapon and scared that something will happen to him now. Even if I am trying to run, it doesn’t mean I want anything to happen to him. I really do love him, but this is a dangerous world. Can I really see myself living in the Bratva world with Andrei despite my fears?
I know the answer as well as I know myself.
I can’t make my move yet, though. Fionn is still telling Andrei about his plans that killed his dad, and you can see it in Andrei’s body language; it only infuriates him more learning that his dad was manipulated into committing suicide.
“I fed your father information that I got through my own methods, since his men really were loyal to him. It was enough information to convince him that his second in command had betrayed him, and he did the rest of the work for me. I tried the same trick with you, but you had too much faith in your men not to betray you.”
“Of course, I have faith in my men. I follow my instincts, and if my father fell for your bullshit, then you will die too.”
“Aye? Is that so? You have blood dripping down your arm, and no gun. What are you planning to do? Bite me?”
Before Andrei can respond, I raise the gun, aiming for Fionn’s stomach, but I have never shot a gun before; I only know what I have seen in movies. I take a deep breath and pull the trigger. When the blood flies from Fionn, it isn’t from his stomach region but from his neck.Goddamn, I am a bad shot.
As Fionn lies bleeding, Andrei turns around, shocked to see me holding the gun.
“Are you ok?” I ask him, looking at his bleeding arm. “You need to go to the hospital.”
“Yes, little bird, I am ok. You saved me?” He looks at me questioningly.
“Of course. I wasn’t going to sit back and watch the man hurt you. Despite everything, you are mine as much as I am yours.” I tell Andrei, knowing the truth in my heart. I am his. “We need to get you to a hospital.”
“I am fine. I will call Dr. Drummond to check on my arm, but I will be fine; he only grazed it. The man has always had poor aim.”
“What about your men? I heard him say they were indisposed. What does that mean?”
“This is the Bratva, baby; it likely means he killed them.” He says with a look of sadness in his eyes. “Go back to my room, and Dr. Drummond will recheck you, now that you’re awake, while I go check on the situation at hand.” He says, holding out his good arm for the gun I am still holding.
Andrei
Knowing that Ava killed a man to save me is a heady experience. I want nothing more than to check on her, but I need to secure the penthouse first. Walking through the entrance doors, I see my two guards shot but thankfully still breathing. We have had enough death in our ranks these past few days, and apparently, it has all been at Fionn’s hands. I need to make contact with the Italians and determine our current status, as Fionn provided inaccurate information.
When Dr. Drummond arrives, I bring him back to my bedroom, where Ava awaits, and have him check over her first. He checks her eyes with a flashlight and assesses her vitals, along with some other medical information I am unfamiliar with, but eventually deems her healthy.
Finally, I allow him to stitch up my still bleeding arm and leave me and Ava alone.
“So what now?” She asks.
“Now, we continue with the rest of our lives. My life may be dangerous, but I know that I will protect you with every resource at my disposal. Nothing will ever happen to you as long as I can help it.”
“Well, I still need to look for a new job.” She says, as if I would allow her to work for anyone other than me. I imagine bending her over my desk at work, and my dick twitches as if we didn’t already fuck merely thirty minutes ago. But when it comes to Ava Jones, I am obsessed and will never get enough of her.
“You don’t need a new job. I will fire Meredith, and while I am at it, Evan can go too. I don’t appreciate him flirting with you right in front of me.” I say, my mood only worsening at the prospect of another man flirting with my Ava.
“Evan is harmless.” She says.
“Whether you believe him to be harmless is beside the point; you defending him only sets it in stone that he will at leastbe switching departments.” I can’t stand the thought of him around her.
“Whatever makes you sleep better at night.”
