Page 16 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

So I grab her arm hard, no doubt bruising her in the process. Her eyes go wide with pain. Then I push her back away from me hard.

“If you want to live, you fucking run.”

Her eyes glaze with fear. But this time, she listens.

She turns and starts running. The folds of her dress trail behind her in wispy waves. I don’t have the time to watch her disappear—the guards are coming my way.

I duck into a room in the opposite direction. A deliberate attempt to throw them off her tail.

I don’t know why it’s so important that she gets to safety. The girl’s a stranger to me. She doesn’t factor into any of my plans.

And yet, I’m actually worried.

Will she make it out of here in one piece?

Will she be captured when she tries to get out?

Will she find the diner?

The guards thunder into the room behind me. I’m ready for them this time. I duck for cover while letting out another round of bullets. I manage to shoot three different men, but my ammo is running out. I need to make a quick escape.

Right on cue, I hear a storm of gunshots going off down below. I move to the edge and glance down to see a handful of my men bash through the main entryway.

I’ve never been one to smile in triumph. But this time, I’m definitely smiling on the inside.

I aim at the glass and send my last bullet hurtling into it. The bullet cracks the surface, sending glossy little fissures in every direction. I toss my gun to the side and run towards the window.

I hit it, legs first, causing the entire glass window to shatter as I fall to the dancefloor below. I land on my feet with nothing more than a few cuts on my arms. Thankfully, the drop is only about six feet. Any further and my landing wouldn’t have been quite so flawless.

The screams that punctuated my landing have all but disappeared as I straighten up. It’s late enough that the dancefloor is relatively empty. It’s the private rooms that are packed to the brim.

Not that I’m very fussed about casualties in this particular venue. Apart from some of the women, the people that frequent this joint are fucking scum like Ozol.

None as bad as him quite yet—but some men just need a little more time to rot all the way down to their souls.

My men rush to cover me as they shoot back more of Ozol’s goons. Within minutes, the fight is over. Each side is just interested in getting out intact at this point.

The moment we’re back out on the streets, my men gather around me with their guns still drawn.

“Didn’t go well, boss?” Ilya asks.

“You can fucking say that again.”

My black Wrangler is brought around. I head for the driver’s seat immediately.

“The rest of you get into the other vehicles and head back,” I order.

“Boss?” Konstantin calls back, looking confused. “You’re not coming with us?”

“No,” I reply. “I have a stop to make first.”

5

Elyssa

Is it possible for your heart to jump out your throat? That’s how it feels as I run blindly through the club, hoping to stumble on a way out.

I don’t look back. But I don’t need to do that to know I’m being pursued.

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