Yelena
1099 Words
Yelena
Finally, Ivan was letting me go out on my own.
It took some convincing. He wanted me to go back to school, hopefully business, and help run the empire. But I had no desire. After everything we had been through, I wanted out. I didn't want to be the princess of the Bratva anymore. I wanted a job, a real one. Calloused hands and real life experiences.
So he let me. He actually let me. Under one condition. I would work at a business run by Savage Souls. The local MC who worked with Ivan. He wanted me protected while still allowing my freedom. And I understood it. One whisper of my last name and I could be a target. At least working in and around the MC, I would be looked after. And I wasn't going to fight it.
I loved my brother. He protected me my whole life. Or at least tried. Our father was an absolute savage. He hated women. Felt we belonged under men's shoes. Including my poor mother. Rest her soul.
She never wanted my father, but much like the rest of the Bratva, she really didn't get a choice. She was sold to the devil himself. And forced to have his offspring. His heirs. So when she had a girl? He was more than disappointed. He was furious. But she protected me. Her and Ivan.
But he didn't let her live long enough to raise us.
She couldn't handle it. The late night tortures. The ra*e. She had miscarried so many times she was no longer fertile. And that wasn't going to fly.
So he took on mistresses. Getting them pregnant over and over until he finally had his second son.
Arseni.
Just the name made me want to crawl into myself. He was just as sick if not sicker than my father. And when he started sneaking into my room at night? Father did nothing. Let him "condition" me.
Mother finally couldn't take it. She lept off the top of our mansion after a night of beatings. I didn't blame her. I wasn't mad. He*l I probably would have done the same.
So I started cu*ting and bur*ing myself. Scars littered my body. In the hopes that Arseni would find me replusive and stay away. But it didn't work. If anything, he got off on the idea that I harmed myself because of him.
And then Ivan found out. I'll never forget that night.
Arseni was away with his mother. Some extended vacation so father could continue to fu*k whoever he wanted. And Ivan had snapped. He dru*ged father. And then spent the next 24 hours torturing him. In front of the entire Bratva. He made a name for himself at the very least.
He took over. And made some serious changes. Women no longer lived in fear. They had a voice. I watched as the scared wives became queens. Or their husbands disappeared. Kids no longer lived in fear. Abu*ers were dealt with. Business became cleaner. Human trafficking became a thing of the past.
I was so proud of Ivan. He could have turned out like father, but in our mother's honor, he stood above.
Chest' ili smert.(Honor or de*th)
So I took the job at Trixie's. A local strip joint. No way in he*l was I getting on any stage, but I was happy to bartend. I had been da*m good at serving during Bratva get-togethers. I most definitely was overdressed, hiding my disgusting scars that covered my arm. But after the club enforcer, Ace interviewed me he thought I was perfect for the job. "No bull*hit" As he put it.
I think that's what he was. Security? Enforcer? I wasn't sure about the titles in an MC. He was intimidating, but then I saw a picture on his desk of a beautiful woman and baby. I kinda melted.
"You start tonight, ok with that? Jackie will start training you. Need hands on deck asap. "
"You got it. I'm ready." We both stood after completing the necessary paperwork.
"By the way, beautiful family."
He smiled. Up to his eyes. Clearly proud of his family. My stomach clenched.
"Ivan is a good friend. He's like family. If you ever get baby fever and want to watch my little James, I won't turn you down. Overdue for a date night."
I laughed. "Let me try to tackle bartending duty and I may take you up on that. Looking for all the real world experience I can find."
He smiled, but I saw the pity in his eyes. He knew. Knew my family history. Knew how fu*ked my father was.
I cleared my throat. "Any dress code?"
He lifted a brow. "No. I mean some of the bartenders wear less for tips. You are welcome to, but there isn't any particular dress code. I dont want Ivan ki*lling me so I wont make any suggestions. However you're comfortable."
I nodded, turning towards the door.
"Yelena. You are under our protection. No one will hurt you here."
Fu*k. He sensed my weakness.
"No worries Ace. Thanks. I'll go ahead and start training. Thanks again for the job. Really I appreciate it."
He smiled and nodded.
Phew.
I stepped behind the bar, approaching my now trainer Jackie. She smiled big. Short shorts, banging body.
Gospodi, pomogi mne (Lord help me)
No way I was making tips. These women were barely dressed and finer than me. But at least I'd have a paycheck.
"Yelena! Ace told me you would be joining us. I usually do the interviews, but he assured me you were made for the job. Super excited to work with you girl!"
I smiled. Gripping the edges of my long sleeve.
"Thanks. I'm hoping I'm up for the task."
"Don't overthink it. I see you're overdressed."
I immediately stiffened and she noticed. She didn't look at me with pity though, something else. Understanding.
"Don't worry. You honestly are the finest piece of a*s I've seen in a while. These patrons are going to eat you up. Like a present waiting to be opened."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. Holy he*l this girl was forward. And I can't say I hate it. She wasn't throwing pity in my face. I laughed.
"Thanks for the confidence boost. I just hope I make you and Ace proud."
Smiling, she handed me a bottle of Jameson.
"Table 6 needs refills. We usually tackle our own tables, then monitor the bar for stragglers."
I nodded. "Thanks. On it."
And boy was I about to meet a challenge.
- Writer
