Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Mikhail smiles at me, collecting the ball and sending it my way. “Show us what you got, sis.”
When he says sis, I know any past rift between us has melted away. Both of my brothers have changed since their wives came into their lives. They’re still fierce and strong, but there are new aspects to them now, fresh perspectives that bring out their loving sides even more than usual.
After hanging with them for a few more minutes, I excuse myself to prepare for my solo practice. I’m in ballet school now, but I still like to get my own sessions in for extra improvement. On my way to get changed, I hear singing from the kitchen. I poke my head in, smiling when I see Lia sitting at the window, painting the backyard. She’s become obsessed with finding new angles, new shades, and different lighting at different times of day.
She looks up, glowing with her pregnancy, just like Mila is. I’m not jealous. I can’t let my mind go there. Relationships seem too messy. At least, they did until my big brothers made them seem way too easy.
“Hey, sis,” Lia says.
That’s two times I’ve been called sis in ten minutes. It feels pretty great, not going to lie.
“Painting’s looking great,” I tell her.
She beams at me.
Finally, I get changed and head down to the studio. Switching on the light, I pause, looking at the note on the mirror. Somebody’s stuck a big piece of paper on there with the words, Ania, don’t panic. I’m going to take you now, but I promise it’s for your own good.
Maybe I fell down the stairs, and I’m hallucinating. This can’t be real, but then I hear footsteps behind me.
I find an enormous man standing just beyond the doorway, shaded in half-darkness. His features are hidden in shadow. “Don’t panic,” he says in a deep voice.
“How did you get in here?”
“I’m not going to hurt you.” When I open my mouth to scream, his voice gets even deeper. “Don’t do that. It would be a terrible idea for you, your brothers, for everybody.”
I try to calm myself down. My body, which usually does what I tell it to, or at least mostly does, suddenly won’t react. My legs, so used to hard practice, are useless. I just stand there, staring, as the man takes another step forward.
He’s not wearing a mask, and he’s …
I can’t think about it. Not now. It’s too messed up.
He’s handsome with hair cropped short in a military style, a square, manly jaw, and sharp green eyes that fix on me as if he’s been waiting a long time to meet me. He looks surprised somehow. By me. But what for?
“Who are you?” I whisper.
“I’m …” He pauses, and it’s like he almost feels sorry for me. “… a man trying to do the right thing.”
Reaching into his back pocket, he takes a gun but keeps it aimed at the floor.
“Come with me, Ania … quietly.”
“Where?” I ask. “I don’t even understand how you’re here. Why didn’t the guards see you?”
“Bratva guards are good at their job,” he says, “but I’m better at mine.”
He walks across the studio, standing in front of me, radiating heat. For a deluded second, which truly proves there’s something wrong with me, I think he’s going to kiss me. Then he reaches into his pocket and takes out a pair of metal handcuffs.
“Am I going to need these?”
“If I scream, do you have any idea how many people will be down here?”
“I’d estimate around seven, based on the guards’ patrol paths and the current locations of your brothers, but it wouldn’t matter. We’ll be long gone by then. If we’re not, then a gunfight might ensue. I don’t miss, Ania.”
“So you’re saying if I don’t come with you, you’ll kill my brothers?”
He lets out a husky sigh. Something tells me this kidnapper sees himself as the good guy. “I’m saying I’ve never met a man that a bullet wouldn’t drop, and bullets aren’t easy to avoid in gunfights.”
Another step forward. We’re almost touching.
“The easy or the hard way. Make your choice. We’ve wasted enough time already.”
“Okay, the easy way …”
Taking a step back, I offer my wrists, duck to the side, and sprint for the door. Right away, I realize my mistake. I’m not even close to being fast enough.
He spins and loops his arm around me. I’ve never felt strength like this. It’s like I belong to him as soon as he touches me.
EPILOGUE
MIKHAIL
Ten Years Later
Drake laughs as our toddler Micah leaps up for a playful wrestle. Drake named Micah, and it’s like Micah knew it since he was a baby. Valentin and Natalia are on the trampoline. Natalia, or Lia Number Two as we sometimes jokingly call her, is doing a flip.
“Good job!” I yell over.