Page 30 of Bossed Around by the Bratva (Morozov Bratva #20)

Opening my eyes, I stared at the ceiling for a moment. Today was the day we would see if my plan worked. It was still dark out, but we had to act before the sun warmed the world.

We washed, dressed, and had our morning drinks in under thirty minutes. It was just after four when we arrived at Alexandr’s house. All the lights were on, and the driveway was lined with cars.

We were hitting the Aslanovs in three locations. Akim was leading one team and Avgust another. I didn’t know the other team leader as he was part of the Morozov family. There were big, gun-carrying men all over the yard.

Entering the house, I clung to Akim’s arm as we moved through another army up the stairs and to the office. My nerves were shot to hell. Tasha had set up the office as a control room with computers, scanners, radios, and more.

She was sitting in the corner, typing away. Alexandr was standing beside her. “You ready to move?” he asked, looking at Akim.

“Yes,” Akim replied shortly. He kissed me and gave me a long hug before leaving. The office and house suddenly emptied as everyone headed out.

I nervously walked up and down the room as Tasha worked. Iosif appeared in the doorway. He didn’t say anything. He just stood there. I knew he was just there to see if my plan worked. If it didn’t, he would never stop blaming me. He still believed I was his silly little sister.

“Right, we’re ready to infiltrate,” I hear Akim’s voice coming over the radio. Tasha opened about a dozen screens, each with a different place on them. I saw three with our men at the entrances to their targets.

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 to handle 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

“I don’t know, but I worried about you,” I said, smiling as he pulled me back into a tight hug. Breathing heavily over my shoulder, he whispered in my ear. “You want to get out of here and go celebrate our victory?”

Licking my lips, I could only imagine what he had in mind. “Yes,” I replied eagerly. He didn’t know that I had already planned how it would go. I felt good as everything seemed to be finally falling into place.

I had hoped that we would be going home soon. Grinning, I thought about my plan as we headed home. Akim unlocked and opened the door. Then he turned to me and carried me inside. Lowering me to my feet, he kissed me before speaking. “Would you like a bottle of wine?”

“Yes, you get that while I take a quick shower,” I said, sprinting upstairs. We were like high school kids. But it felt good. I showered and put on the new outfit I had bought. Hearing him coming up the stairs, I pulled on my robe.

He came in and placed the tray on the small table by the door. “And that?” he asked, looking at me curiously. I walked up to him and threw my arms around him. “I’ve missed you,” I mumbled between kisses, covering his face in lipstick. “And I have something amazing for you.”

“You do?” he replied, picking me up again. “So, where is it?”

“You will have to put me down to find out,” I said, laughing.

Akim turned his head to the side, staring into my eyes for a moment. As he placed me down, I took his hands and kissed them. “Come with me,” I whispered, leading him out of the bedroom.

He followed without a word. I led him into the lounge and showed him where to sit.

I grabbed the stool I hid behind the door and placed it in the middle of the room. “I’ll be right back,” I said, walking to the side of the room to his back. “Don’t peek.”

I dropped my gown to the floor and slipped into my heels. I pressed play on the stereo system, adding soft romantic music to the room. Heading to the door, I saw him trying to turn. “Uhm, no, no, no,” I said in a soft tone.