Page 6 of Cruel Russian Pakhan (Safin Bratva #1)

My heart pounded wildly. One moment, I was arguing with Lev, trying to break free of his grip, and the next, I was staring down the barrels of guns.

This was it. I was going to die.

I did say I would've preferred to die out here than go back with him, but I swear I didn't mean it.

Time seemed to freeze as the first shot rang out, the bullet barreling straight for my chest. A delayed scream tore from my throat when Lev yanked me by the waist, dragging us out of its path. He was already firing back, somehow managing to get us both around the corner and into cover.

“Stay down!” he barked, peeking around the corner before returning fire.

Immediately, I curled into a ball, on the ground behind Lev as gunfire erupted. The stench of the nearby dumpster and the sticky film clinging to my arms churned my stomach with nausea.

God. I should’ve just stayed at his house. At least there, no one was trying to kill me. I tried to drown out what was happening by thinking about well…anything, but my mind was frozen.

“Shit,” I heard Lev mutter.

I glanced up at him just as he turned behind us and fired three more rounds in the opposite direction.

“Vera, get up, we’ve gotta move! Now!”

My body moved before my brain caught up, scrambling to its feet. Lev pressed himself against me, shielding me with his body. I slid along the wall behind him as he fired in both directions, his free hand firm against my hip.

The warmth of his body trickled into mine, and I involuntarily shivered at his touch. He must’ve thought it was from fear, because his hold tightened just a bit, burning through the denim of my jeans.

I couldn’t help but notice how good he smelled after a long day, a mix of faint perspiration and the lingering spice of his cologne. And suddenly, I wanted his hand on more than just my hip.

I wanted to grab his jacket, to pull him closer, because clearly, I must’ve lost my damn mind as I watched his muscles ripple under his jacket as he protected us.

Maybe I was in a dream.

Maybe he was my fantasy.

Maybe I’d slipped into some kind of coma or delusional mental state since I hadn’t eaten properly in the past seven days, and I was still at Lev’s house.

But if this was a dream…I couldn’t help but wonder how his lips would feel against mine before they trailed further down my body towards…

Katya!

I inhaled deeply and shook my head, trying to chase the thoughts away.

It wasn’t a dream. This was real life. And if I zoned out again and Lev needed me, I could get us both killed.

I needed to focus on something other than the man in front of me. So I pressed my hands flat against the cold wall behind me, trying to hold on to the last ounce of my sanity.

My thoughts drifted to Daisy and Arnold.

Was this how they felt that day at the bank? Terrified? Did they worry about me and what would happen if they didn’t make it?

I choked back a sob, realizing that if I died here, no one would miss me. No one would sit around and talk about the memories we shared or anything I’d done. And somehow, that truth broke something deep inside me.

Then Lev cursed, snapping my focus back to him. He pulled the trigger…

Nothing happened.

“Fuck, I’m out,” he growled.

My eyes widened and my pulse skyrocketed as two gunmen approached fast.

I tried to inhale air into my lungs, but my chest felt constricted. And with each passing second, breathing became more difficult. Due to lack of oxygen, my head began to spin.

Just then, two cars screeched to a halt nearby. When the men turned toward the sound, momentarily distracted, Lev yanked me down again, and I screamed. He threw his body over mine as more gunfire exploded around us.

My ears rang and my heart felt like it would burst. I didn't hear a car pull up beside us, but I felt when the pressure of Lev's body was no longer pressed against mine.

God! Had he been shot and rolled off? Were they going to kill me next?

His voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Vera! Let’s go!”

Lev was already up, yanking me to my feet. He shoved me into the back seat of the waiting vehicle and jumped in after me.

The door slammed shut, and Rocco hit the gas, tires screaming as we sped down the street.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm my nerves that were firing off like a pinball machine, but it was useless. I was trembling so hard my teeth chattered, and my fingers felt numb from the shaking.

Lev spun toward me, his eyes blazing.

“This is why you don't run away, Vera!”

I flinched and hugged myself tighter, willing my body to cooperate, but it refused to obey me. I couldn’t stop shaking. I lowered my gaze and bit down on my lip, trying to hold back the tears that I was fighting hard to keep at bay.

“You could’ve been killed!” he growled.

I turned away from him and looked out the window, my body trembling harder than before, as if the adrenaline was searching for a way out. My breaths came in ragged bursts, and my chest ached from the way my heart kept slamming against it.

After everything I’d just been through, the last thing I needed was him scolding me like some damn child. Maybe Lev was used to this kind of life, but I was just a waitress. I’d never had to check “capable of dodging bullets” on a job application.

More than anything, I just wanted to be back at his mansion, locked away from the world…and more importantly, locked away from him.

Lev didn’t say anything else. Only the sound of our heavy breathing and the soft purr of the engine filled the small space. Then he shifted beside me and gently turned me and pulled me into his arms.

I wanted to pull away from his touch, but the need to be held after everything I’d just been through won out. I didn’t have the strength to fight him, not now, and I was pretty sure he didn’t, either. Letting him comfort me felt like the least I could do, especially after he’d just saved my life.

“You’re safe now,” he murmured, kissing the top of my head.

Having his arms around me was one thing, but his words and the kiss combined almost undid me.

I clung to his shirt and squeezed my eyes shut.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

The more he whispered comforting words to me, the more my trembling eased. It was like his voice had become a harp, each note soothing the panicked beast inside me until it curled up and slept.

Not only did he calm me, but I felt safe in his arms.

I felt safe in the arms of my kidnapper.

Why did I feel this way?

I didn't have the answer, nor did I want to dwell on the question at that moment. So, I let myself lean into him, soaking in everything that he was offering. The only people who had ever held me like this were my adoptive parents. I hadn't realized how much I missed it until now.

When we finally arrived at Lev’s, Rocco climbed out. I thought Lev would get out, too, but he just sat there holding me.

After a few minutes, he loosened his hold. I bit down to keep the whimper from escaping.

“Stay there. I’m coming around,” he said gently, stepping out without waiting for a reply.

I stayed still as Lev opened the door and extended his hand. I took it, and as I stepped out, pain shot up my leg when I applied pressure on my left foot.

I winced. Damn. I’d forgotten about that.

Without a word, Lev scooped me into his arms.

I shrieked. “Lev!”

“Wrap your arms around me,” he ordered gruffly.

I obeyed, tucking my head into the curve of his neck, once again enjoying the feel of his body against mine more than I should.

He carried me like I was a bundle of feathers, not a woman pushing one hundred and eighty pounds. He didn’t stop until we were inside my room. He didn’t even break a sweat. Not a single strained inhale or grunt.

I wasn’t sure if I should be worried…or impressed.

He placed me gently on the sofa, and reluctantly, I removed my arms from around his neck. He stepped back, and I instantly missed the warmth that his body provided.

What on earth was wrong with me? Of all the men to be attracted to, I had to fall for the one who ripped my dreams away, kidnapped me, and forced me to marry him?

Before I could plunge any further down that ridiculous train of thought, his gaze morphed from concerned to disappointed in a fraction of a second. Then he said something I never expected.

“That was a setup, wasn’t it?”

What the hell?

The tenderness that radiated from him just a few seconds ago vanished like it had never existed, replaced by suspicion.

As illogical as it sounded, I was pissed. We had just shared a tender moment, and he made me feel safe. Something I hadn't felt in like…forever! Just to switch it up like this? Was his tenderness even real, or just manipulation to get me back into his house without a fight?

My jaw clenched, tone icy. “What are you talking about?”

Since he wanted to act like the past few minutes didn't happen, then I would, too.

“Don’t play dumb.” Shadows swirled in his eyes.

“I don't think it was a coincidence that your family contacted me the same night you escaped.

They knew I'd come check on you and realize you were missing.

They knew I'd follow. That's why you headed in that direction. You lured me right into their damn ambush!” His voice rose at the end.

My emotions reeled like a tempest. The man who had cradled me minutes ago now looked like a grenade without a pin, ready to blow.

“Are you crazy?” I snapped, my voice breaking. “My family had nothing to do with that!”

I stared at him, stunned. Lev must’ve inhaled too much gunpowder out there.

“The more your family plays games, the more determined I am to win,” he spat. “I just didn’t think they were unhinged enough to open fire while you were right there!”

“You're the only unhinged one here! Why would my family want to hurt me?” I yelled. “Does that even make sense to you?”

“It doesn't have to make sense if they succeed in killing me!”

“With your line of work, I'm sure you've got dozens of enemies! My family had nothing to do with this!”

“You’re such a liar, Vera.” His voice was flat and cold. “And for that, you'll suffer the consequences! You’ll stay locked up until I find out the truth.”

“I’m not Vera!” I screamed, breathing heavily.

But he was already gone.

The door slammed shut. A second later, the lock clicked, and I was alone with nothing but my emotional turmoil to work through.