Bratva-Ivan

A Day Out

Ivan

The cartel has been quiet these days. Too quiet for comfort. We had still been tracking them, but there was limited to no activity on their phones. I was starting to think they had caught on. Surely Whiz wouldn't have slipped up.

I started letting her go out more with my guys following. I was still nervous, but it was either this or she would sneak out on her own. My little firecracker. She could not be tamed. And that's one of the many reasons I loved her.

I had never felt this way before. Even between the tor*ure and constant business breathing down my back, I felt light. Like this endless darkness of my life finally had purpose. Don't get me wrong, my sister was my reason for living. But having this kind of love was different. I wanted to come home. I didn't drown myself in endless work. I didn't want to wake up alone anymore.

Everywhere I went I felt her, smelt her. She lingered even when she wasn't home. And for once I didn't mind it. I didn't mind that she had crawled under my skin and latched onto my soul. When this sh*t was over and her brother and his goons were dissolved in ac*d and dumped into the Atlantic, I'd marry her. And hopefully pump plenty of kids into her.

She'd be an amazing mom. Caring, smart. And don't get me wrong, she would definitely be pursuing that dream of being a lawyer no matter what.

So I was as determined as ever to set her free. For good. So she could finally be mine, fully.

Olivia

I was exhausted. It was my second year into the J.D. program, and it was getting harder and harder. Thankfully, it was an accelerated program so hopefully, I would be done in less than a year. Then I could take the bar test and finally make my dream come true.

I have always been into defense law. Helping innocent people fight in court, and in turn also helping guilty folks have a fair go at trial. It also made sense now that I was with a literal criminal and consistently surrounded by them. Who knows, maybe I would be defending some of them one day.

I mean they already each had their lawyers on retainer. But I would be cheaper. I mean I wouldn't be doing it for the money. And to be honest, both lawyers were dipsh*ts in my opinion. I mean what kind of lawyer tells his client to plead insanity with no medical history confirming it? Whiz was a little crazy, but nothing documented.

Stupid move. Good thing Whiz wasn't an i***t when it came to the justice system.

Yalena had wanted to meet for lunch and shopping. Ivan was out on business, so I knew he'd have one of his guys going out with us.

Most of the time it was Boris. He was as serious as serious got. But I liked him. He kept his distance and was as professional as could be. And I was starting to soften him up. Always bringing him meals and small gifts. The watch I bought him last week wasn't super expensive, but his eyes lit up momentarily. Like he wasn't used to people being kind. I'm sure he had better things to do than babysit me, but he was a champ. I even got a smile from him when he dropped me off this afternoon.

"So how's things with my brother going?" Yelena was always trying to figure out what was going on between us. I knew it was because she loved her brother and wanted him happy, but also, deep down wanted us to work out for her sake. She loved us both, and knew that if something happened it could affect her. And I'd never make her choose.

"It's good. Really good. Despite your brother's hard exterior, he is quite the gentleman."

"That's something I never thought I would hear someone say about my brother." She laughed.

"Ya well, he isn't always the grumpy Pakhan he portrays. He even buys me flowers, every day." And he did. Every morning I woke up with a fresh bunch of flowers waiting for me on the bedside table.

We finished lunch and Boris dropped me off. The mansion was quiet, and I assumed Ivan was still out. I decided to go for a swim in the outdoor poolroom, maybe hit the sauna after.

After I changed into my bikini, I headed down. As I entered, I ran into one of Ivan's guys. I don't think I've met this one before, but he was dressed like the others. I smiled and moved to step around him. He grabbed my arm harshly and I stopped. What the he*l.

"Sorry doll, but I'm getting a good paycheck for this."

Suddenly a cloth was over my face. And I smelt it. Chloroform. I struggled against him, kicking and scratching. But the world was starting to fade. And then darkness. No. The last vision I had was of Miguel's sick face, laughing at me.

Ivan

It was a long day. Business meetings, meeting with Whiz for updates, which there weren't many. At this point, I was wondering if they were going to make a move at all.

But Whiz did give me something. Veronica was back. I don't know how or when, but I'd find her, and she would be lucky if I sent her away again. Apparently she didn't get the memo.

I don't know what her game was, but if she thought I'd allow her anywhere near myself or Olivia she would be out of her mind.

And right now, all I wanted to do was bury myself deep inside of my princess. Hold her, give her a massage. But to my surprise, she wasn't home. Probably out with Yelena. So I called her. No answer. Before I started panicking I called Yelena.

"Hey brother, what's going on?"

"Hey sis, have you seen Olivia? She's not home."

A pause. Felt like an eternity before she spoke. "Pretty sure Boris dropped her off an hour ago. Did you check outside? Maybe she's in the garden."

"Ya, I'll go look around. Thanks sis."

I immediately searched for both her and Boris. I trusted Boris with my life, so I had no doubt he had kept an eye on her when they were out. I finally found him in the library.

"Hey Boris, did you drop off Olivia?"

"Yes sir, about an hour ago. She was headed to your room, I believe. Is everything ok?"

"No. I can't find her, and she's not answering."

His face went pale. He was worried. I knew she had grown on him. He*l everyone here had.

So where the hell was she?

I ordered my men to search the grounds. Under every rock, every corner. Nothing. So I went to my security guy so we could go over all the footage. Minutes ticked by. Frame by frame I searched. Finally, I saw her going towards the pool house. We switched to the camera inside. A guy approached her and I saw her stiffen. This wasn't right. I didn't recognize this guy at all, but he was dressed like my men. Then it happened and my heart nearly stopped.

He shoved a cloth over her face. She fought back before her body went pimp. Then he threw her over her shoulder and walked out towards the backyard, through the garden and out of site through some trees. How the he*l did he get her out? I didn't know, but she was gone. They found her.

No. This couldn't be happening. She's mine. Mine to protect. And I failed her.