Unwanted Sacrifices (Russkaya Mafiya Book 3) (2 page)

BOOK: Unwanted Sacrifices (Russkaya Mafiya Book 3)
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“Blondie?” Sabrina calls quietly as she climbs the stairs to the loft apartment we’re staying in, compliments of my Boss’ brother, Viktor.

“Yes, Bina?” My gaze shoots to her, shaking off the terrible thoughts of that cold night so long ago.

“You okay up here?”

“Yes, I was only looking,” I reply and gesture to the mirror.

Sabrina meets my eyes with a playful grin. “Of course you were looking in the mirror; you’re so vain,” she giggles.

Rolling my eyes, I let loose a huff, pretending to be offended, but in reality I really do stare at myself in the mirror a lot. I like to look. So what? Nothing wrong with being happy with myself.

“I was preparing breakfast; are you hungry?”

“Of course. I’m like ox, always big and hungry.”

She laughs again. Her bright smile warms my heart and I have to grin at the beautiful chime-like sound. She never giggled before when she was around her family, and I simply adore being able to hear the sound now.

“Okay then, I’ll fix enough for you.”

“Thank you, Bina.” She doesn’t respond, but turns around and hops back down the stairs, her short dark hair flopping with each new bounce.

I never predicted to be in this situation with her in the first place. Tate and Viktor actually made a trade with her father to bring her back and get her away from him. Sabrina’s sister attempted to kill my Boss’ brother, Viktor, who also happens to be the head of the Russian Bratva in America. Viktor contacted me about it, explaining that Sabrina needs protection in case her father retaliates or attempts something with her, so here I am. Only I wasn’t expecting to actually be living with her.

I’ve always been beside Tate offering protection when I wasn’t out on a job for the Mafiya. This is the first time though that I’ve been away from his side—for an extended time period—since I was fifteen years old. At least with Sabrina I don’t have to hide myself from her. She grew up associated with our ways.

The scents float up from below and my stomach lets loose a famished growl. I smell bacon, and let’s face it, bacon can get any man to move. I make my way down to the small kitchen and sit at the even smaller table.

Viktor’s fiancée, Elaina, did her best to fix this place up for us. It used to be the guards’ house and they were nice enough to kick them out so we could have a remote place to stay with some extra security. It’s really like a giant barn-turned-loft house, but it’s perfect for us.

Sabrina set the plastic plate loaded up with toast, eggs, and bacon in front of me. I could easily get used to this sort of thing. The only person who ever really waited on me was my other best friend, Avery. She always made me good coffees and snacks, but she moved away to Texas. I haven’t gotten to see her in quite a while, and I need to make a trip out to visit. Maybe I could bring Bina with me; I doubt she’s ever left Tennessee without her father in tow.

“Spaa see ba,” I grunt my thanks and she blushes slightly. She’s used to my Russian and often will reply back to me in our native language. One of the many things I enjoy about her. I don’t have to worry about being correct with the words I try to say in English. I’m getting better, but I still get things mixed up sometimes or will answer people in Russian not realizing I’m doing it.

She fixes herself a plate with only a small portion of scrambled eggs and it makes me realize she was really cooking all of this food for me and not her. She always does this and it warms my belly knowing she was thinking of me being hungry.

“Why so little?” I gesture to her plate. I’ve never seen her eat much; she’s a tiny sprite of a thing and could definitely use a little meat on her bones.

“My mother would faint if she saw me eat more than half portions.”

“She is not here; she doesn’t see you eat.”

“Yes, but when I have to go back…”

Pushing her plate closer, I argue, “Nyet, you are done there. You will never go back; you eat as much as you wish.”

I keep trying to tell her she’s done with those people, but she doesn’t believe me, always thinking that her father will come for her. That trash can try all he likes, but he’ll never leave with her; I’ll make sure of it. I’ve already lost too much, and I won’t sacrifice her too.

She quiets, pushing her eggs around her plate. I load my toast up, shoveling as much food into my mouth that will fit. Not having my mother around and growing up on the streets taught me that you eat quickly and as much as possible.

The old neighbor lady that kept me for a few years after they took my mother wasn’t too big on teaching me any manners; she just wanted to keep me in a safe and warm place in the winter. I will never forget her kindness.

“Slow down, Blondie, there’s plenty more if you’re still hungry.”

I grunt and keep stuffing my mouth. She’s called me Blondie since we first met. I’ll never forget her sweet young face from that day.



I had been with Tate for a year. We were both around sixteen years old. Tate had been learning the ropes from his father, while his father regularly trained me to keep his son safe.

That day we were at a birthday dinner for Tate’s dad at a famous restaurant in Russia that his family owns. Tate and I were sitting at the table joking about him flirting with the waitress when I saw Sabrina’s sweet face.

I turned from Tate, laughing at his next scheme to get the waitress’ number and was met with doe eyes, staring at me from across the table. She was younger and looked so innocent in her soft pink, baby-doll dress. She had blushed then also, when my heated gaze met hers, turning her face away quickly from being caught.

I didn’t turn away though. I licked my lips eagerly and stared, taking in every sweet inch of her. At the time she had long dark locks full of soft curls; her thick lashes had fluttered almost too quickly as if she knew I was still watching her. I couldn’t look away; her looks were too captivating to the likes of a hormonal sixteen-year-old boy. Her small nose was slightly upturned and seeing her lips were almost in a pink pout gave me thoughts of ravishing her mouth until it was rosy to match her cheeks.

I was forced to look away as Tate’s father, Gizya, introduced me to Sabrina’s father, Kristof. Gizya had spoken of how I was becoming very promising and was quickly becoming an asset to the business. That was the first time I’d seen a face to match to Kristof’s name. I had heard about him on the streets and how he’d pay thugs to help out with his business ventures. I was busy with the Bratva and being paid by Gizya to train at that age, so I was never swayed to check out the rumors further. Even then, though, I could sense he was a dirty snake. He definitely didn’t deserve a daughter like Sabrina.



Finishing up my breakfast, I chug the glass of orange juice Sabrina was kind enough to get me and then stand.

“Would you like some more?” She peers up at me.

“No. You cooked, I clean—same as usual.” Grabbing our dishes, I head over to the sink, quickly rinsing the plates and cups off and load them into the old dishwasher.

She’s beautiful today, but that’s nothing new. She’s gorgeous every day. Her mother used to force her into wearing these stunning dresses everywhere, but she’s older now and wears the complete opposite. Every time I see her, she’s clad in skinny jeans and a plain tank top or short-sleeved shirt.

I remember when she cut off her long shiny hair. She had escaped one day and called me—upset. I picked her up and she went flat out crazy at a shopping mall making all these changes right before my eyes.  I loved her hair but kept my mouth shut so she would be happy. Now it’s in a short style that reminds me of the little psychic vampire on “Twilight.” She also has like ten teeny black studs decorating each ear and wears a variety of brightly colored flip-flops.

She had called me sobbing from her private school a week later, explaining that her mother lost it when she saw the changes Bina made without her approval. Her mom changed whatever she could and sent her right back to school. I tried to come and get her right then, but she begged me to stay away, telling me that her family would only make it worse for her if she left. I was so stupid to believe her; I should have gone and taken her away.

Her sister, Kendall, was an evil person; she tried to kill Viktor and his fiancée not long ago. Growing up she made Sabrina’s life a living hell, always attempting to get her in trouble or kicked out of the private schools she attended. Kendall was such a jealous little bitch, always fantasizing after Tate’s older brother. Thankfully, in the end, Viktor’s soon-to-be wife, Elaina, lost it and killed Kendall.

Sabrina hasn’t mentioned a word about it since we’ve gotten here. I wonder if it even bothers her that her older sister is dead? She was such a hateful thing; I would think Bina would be relieved in a way that Kendall is finally gone for good.

Drying my hands off on the kitchen towel, I turn toward Sabrina as she watches me—a small smile gracing her lips. “Want to swim?” I ask and nod toward the small window facing the lake that sits peacefully behind Viktor’s cabin.

“You swim, I’ll watch.” She stands, wiping her hands on her jeans and heads over to the large barn door to wait patiently for me to change into my swim trunks.

Every time it’s the same answer. I offered to get her a bathing suit and still she never agrees. I know for a fact that she can swim. We swam together as teenagers at Tate’s mansion in Russia. Back then she was only permitted to because her father was trying to settle a deal with Gizya.

Kristof had brought along Kendall and Sabrina hoping to entice Gizya and sweeten the pot. If he was interested in the girls, he thought perhaps he’d be able to weasel a contract on the docks with the older man. He hadn’t expected Tate’s mom to be right there. She was readily prepared for the younger women and gave them each swimsuits so the girls could accompany us to the pool, where we got to shamelessly flirt with them for hours. Tate’s mother had already dealt with Gizya’s wandering ways and was becoming better at thwarting them off onto her son’s. She was a force of her own to be reckoned with.

It’s weird, but I don’t get why Bina won’t give in and swim with me now, especially since it’s just the two of us.

I grab a bottled water for her and an extra towel so she has a barrier between her and the ground to sit on. I need to get a folding chair to take so she’ll be comfortable when we’re out there. I don’t know why I never thought of it before, she sits there sometimes for a good hour or two just watching me and drawing on the ground, sometimes she’ll read or look over a magazine, but I enjoy it the most when she watches me. I’ll have to ask Alexei, Viktor’s right hand man, if they have one around here.

Hurrying back upstairs, I quickly get changed into my favorite shorts, grab my straw hat and flip-flops, then collect the water and towels as I head to the front door.

Sabrina and I have been here for six months now and we’ve gotten into a small routine. I’ll admit, I’ve gotten used to it and I pride myself on not having any sort of set schedule. It’s safer with variety in the line of work I do. This new calmness in my life has me a bit stir-crazy to be honest.

I enjoy being here—being with her—and having some time off, but I’m growing more and more restless with each passing day. I don’t like to be away from Tate like this; we’re too close. I know he has other people to watch out for him and he’s able to protect himself, but he’s more than my Boss. He’s my best friend and brother. He’s become a piece of me basically after being around him for so long. Not only do I love him like a brother, but I love his sweet wife, Emily, and their dog, Muffin. They’ve all grown to be my family and I can’t wait until I can finally take Sabrina around them. Bina and Emily have never met, but I hope to change that soon.

Pulling the heavy barn door open, I’m met with Viktor’s girl—her hand up in the air ready to knock.

“Elaina?”

“Oh! Hi, Nikoli. I was just seeing if Sabrina still wanted to look at the wedding catalog with me.”

“Bina?” She’s waiting behind me so I scoot to the side. Both women are so short they couldn’t see each other with me in the way.

Sabrina’s still a little shy around Elaina, and I can’t blame her after what her sister pulled on Viktor. I’m so glad that we’ve had dinner with Viktor and Elaina a few times since we’ve been here. Elaina has finally started to thaw a little towards Sabrina, and I’m hoping they become even friendlier towards one another.

“Hi, Elaina. I was about to walk to the lake with Nikoli. When did you want to look?”

“Oh cool, I’ll just go with you, and we can look through them down there, if that’s okay? Niko swims in shorts, right?”

I chuckle and Sabrina looks at her puzzled.

Elaina smirks, shaking her head and hints, “You’ve seen Vik swim with no clothes on by now, haven’t you?”

Sabrina beams a bright smile, giggling, “No…”

Hell no, she hasn’t. I’ve made sure of it, because I’ve seen it many times and that’s plenty for the both of us. That’s why we swim at a certain time so she doesn’t see Viktor with his muscular swimmer’s body. I’m not like that; I’m big and bulky. I don’t want her comparing us and for me to fall short in any way.

“Great, then. I was scared you had been flashed by now.” Elaina’s eyes widen and they both laugh again. I stay silent and hold my breath to keep myself from growling.

“Ready?” I ask and start to close the door; it’s more of a suggestion than a question, but they both agree.

I trek along behind them, listening to their excited babble about Elaina’s wedding as we make our way to the beautiful, shimmering lake.

SABRINA

Elaina chatters about her
wedding plans and I can’t help but think that I wish she was the type of sister I’d had. She would have been perfect. Instead, I was tormented by the evil bitch who lived to make my existence hell for basically my entire life.

Here in front of me sits the one person who killed Kendall. She put an end to the abuse I had suffered at Kendall’s hand, yet she has no idea how truly grateful I am. When I first arrived here, she was worried I’d harm her or her boyfriend when, in reality, all I wanted to do was kiss her and express my undying gratitude. I didn’t do that, though; I just thanked them politely for having me and vowed to help in any way possible.

BOOK: Unwanted Sacrifices (Russkaya Mafiya Book 3)
7.15Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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