Page 37 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“A smart man would have realized that sooner.”

He chuckles darkly. “I don’t know why I take this abuse.”

“Because you know I’m right.”

“You can’t be right every time.”

I’m about to make some quippy remark when I notice movement in the far distance. Murray perks up in the front seat.

The person running towards the shelter is moving fast. When they burst out of the shadows, I see it’s a woman. A woman wearing a tight black dress. The kind of dress that marks her as either a hostess or a hooker.

My money’s on the latter.

“Phoenix?” asks Matvei on the phone. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

She turns to check over her shoulder as if she’s worried she’s being chased. As she does, the light illuminates the blood and bruises on her battered face. I can barely make out her features because of all the swelling.

She shudders, turns back, and starts banging both fists against the shelter door.

“Are you still there? Phoenix?”

She’s calling out but I’m too far away to hear what she’s saying. Even when I roll down my window, I can only hear the muffled sounds of gasping cries.

Then the door opens, and she disappears into the shelter. I can’t make out who’s opened the door, but one thing’s for certain: something’s about to happen.

“Fucking hell, Phoenix!”

“Quiet down, will you?” I snap. “He’s getting out of the car.”

“Why?”

“A woman just appeared. A hooker, by the looks of it. She looked like someone beat her to a bloody pulp.”

“Murray?”

“Fuck knows, but I’m going to find out.”

“On your own?”

“Yes, Matvei. On my fucking own.”

Impatiently, I hang up and watch as Murray lights a cigarette and leans against the hood of his car. He takes his time smoking it. When he’s done, he heads towards the shelter door.

“What’s the move now,mudak?” I whisper.

He raps on the door and waits patiently. It takes a while, but then it finally swings open. I see only the silhouette of a woman standing in the doorway.

Then I notice Murray reach around to his back.

He pulls out a gun.

And that’s when I get out of the car and start running.

10

Elyssa

I approach the door with nervous trepidation. “W—who is it?” I ask, hating that my voice trembles.

---