Bratva-Mikhail

Bruises and Dreams

Mikhail

I watched them enter the house we rented and my heart clenched. I trusted Vlad with my life so I had no doubt he would protect my woman. But seeing her from afar I could make out some of the damage.

Her face looked like she did ten rounds in an MMA ring. The fury under my skin was something I had never felt before. With what she had clearly been through would I ever get her back fully? She already thought I betrayed her, and now she had been back to the same world she was in as a young girl. Too young.

I wish I had met her sooner. I was a pig with women no doubt. But I never hurt them intentionally. Had I met her sooner none of this would have happened. I would have been in love with her just as much as I am now.

So I waited, and waited. Until my phone lit up with Vlad’s number.

*I have your woman. Good to go.*

I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed my g*n and took off, my men close behind me. I slammed my foot into the door busting it off the hinges. Jacka*s sitting in the recliner’s eyes widened. I specifically had the chair facing the door to avoid any logistical issues. I didn’t give a sh*t about interrogating this moron. He worked for a predator willingly so he was gone. I emptied my clip into him and he slumped. Poor bast*rd never saw it coming.

My men instantly began cleanup. Dragging the guard out the backdoor. I ran up the stairs knowing exactly where my girl was. I ripped the door open and saw her immediately. Vlad had his arms wrapped around her waist clearly holding her back. He dropped them right away and she stumbled forward and I caught her. I didn’t realize what kind of shape she was in until she slumped into my arms. Out cold.

I held her in my arms and studied her face. I felt tears immediately. I never cried. That’s not something men like us did. But seeing her face broke me.

Her face was a fu*king rainbow of colors. Blue, green, yellow and black. Cuts and scrapes in varying degrees of healing. I can’t even imagine what her body looked like.

Vlad was getting a raise. Her hair was wet. He had her clean up and changed into comfortable clothes. I didn’t request that. He just knew. The guy was called Ice for a reason. Dude had zero people skills. But here he was taking care of my woman while I prepared.

“She had a tracker. Forearm. I was able to cut it out.”

He pointed towards the bed and sure enough a small square blo*dy tracker sat on the sheets. What a fu*king psycho. I was going to enjoy ki*ling this mother fu*ker more than anyone I ever have before.

I scooped Janis up and walked her down the driveway and to the waiting SUV. I was always impressed with my guys. The living room didn’t look like a guy just had 6 bul*ets emptied into him. No trace.

I placed her on my lap while I called Ivan.

“Hey man how did it go?”

“I got her. She’s in rough fu*king shape man. I barely recognize her.” My voice cracked but I didn’t feel ashamed. Ivan knew.

“Get her home man. The jets waiting. Alex knows what’s going on and has the hospital ready. Glad you got her back.”

And he was. He had been with me despite the distance the entire time. He knew what I felt for her. How my life was empty without her. Turns out all of us supposed gangsters needed a good woman by our side. And she was it for me.

Janis

I barely registered where I was. I heard a soft hum but my eyes didn’t want to open. Vague Russian chatter in the background made me immediately jump out of whatever chair I was in. I felt arms around me and fought. What was happening?

“Sweetheart it’s me! Calm down! We’re landing soon!”

I knew that voice. Of course I did. I knew he got me out but needed space.

“No! Let me go! Please!”

I felt his arms let go and fell to the floor. When I opened my eyes, I realized we were on a plane, a jet to be exact.

I tried to take in my surroundings. Adrenaline pumping though me. My eyes landed on Mikhail’s worried face. And then to the back of the jet. Charlie. Tied up and beaten. I screamed. Not out of fear for him but out of whatever punishment he would have for me. I started to choke. On what? I wasn’t sure. Air I guess.

And then darkness took over. Again.

Mikhail

I cradled her to my chest the rest of the flight home, checking her breathing and pulse once in a while. One look at that pri*k and she went right out. Soon she wouldn’t have to worry about him at all, but I wanted her to make that decision. He was dy*ng no matter what, but I’d give it to her how he di*s. And if she wanted to be the one to do it. From what I gathered he had been living in her head for many years.

When we landed Ivan greeted us on the tarmac. He had a car and Alex waiting. She immediately walked over to us and had me lay her down on the back seat, checking her over.

“You know I’ll have to have you debrief, taking our men out of state and all.”

I understood it. I did take our men hastily. But I know he wasn’t punishing me, just formality. Ivan understood.

Alex approached me with a sympathetic smile.

“She’s in rough shape. Just from looking at her I can tell she has several fractured facial bones and is severely dehydrated. I’d like to bring her to the hospital. I have a discrete doctor who can look her over, take some X-rays and get some fluids in her. I’ll meet you guys there.”

I nodded hopping into the car directing the driver to the hospital. I placed her head on my lap and stroked her hair. Never again was anyone going to hurt her. She’d finish that degree, be happy. And I would marry her. That I was sure of.

After her examination it took Ivan holding me back from just putting that fu*ker into a wood chipper. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done it. But now I had an even bigger reason to than ever.

14 healing fracture. Signs of internal bleeding that thankfully didn’t ki*l her. Most of the fractures were her face and ribs, but she had a healing wrist fracture as well. She was dehydrated and malnourished. I didn’t even want to think about the mental injuries.

They didn’t do any kind of ra*e kit. She declined it for some reason. I didn’t get the chance to question her because she refused to see me. Alex assured me she just needed some time alone to clear her thoughts. But I knew the truth.

She still felt like I betrayed her. That I had chosen someone over her. She was hurt but she didn’t know the truth. That I had put a bu*let in that bimbo’s head for just lying to her. That the thought of touching another woman made me sick. But I needed to give her space. But I wasn’t going to do it entirely. I needed the help of her friends.

First person I called was Yelena. I enlisted her and Olivia to come be by her side. Maybe it’s selfish of me but I didn’t give a fu*k. I’d make sure they at least assured her I didn’t betray her.

Yelena

When Mikhail called me, I jumped on the opportunity to be by Janis’ side. I vaguely knew what was happening from the bits that Ivan and Whiz had given me. I knew for one that sl*t Samantha had tricked her into thinking he had been two timing her. Mikhail was a lot of things and had a history of sticking his di*k into any warm holes, but all the men around here did. I saw the way they looked at each other.

Mikhail was like a brother and I could read him like a book. He was obsessed with Janis. And I knew he didn’t step out of their relationship.

So I would give him a good word. Not just for him, but for her.

But I wasn’t ready for what I walked into. All of us girls had had our trauma. And survived. But she was unrecognizable. Face swollen, black and blue. She looked at least 30 pounds lighter. And the skin that wasn’t bruised or cut was pale.

I sat down beside her and held her hand. She flinched. Even unconscious she was in fight or flight. My heart broke for her. I heard Olivia choke out a sob in the corner.

And hour and a half later, she finally opened her eyes. She was dazed, blinking at the bright lights.

“Honey it’s me and Olivia. You’re safe.”

Instantly tears formed in her eyes. She looked both scared and relieved. I stood and hugged her. She reluctantly embraced me back. This poor woman had a he*l of a road ahead of her.

And we would be here for her.