Page 25 of The Brigadier

“Yesterday. He’s outside right now just standing there. But he followed me on the subway. I’m certain of it.”

His growl meant business. “You’re going to listen to me and you’re not fucking with me on this. Pack a bag with several days’ worth of things. Stay inside your locked apartment. I’m going to have some men sent for you and they will take you somewhere safe. Listen to them and you’ll be alright. Okay?”

“Okay.” What else was I supposed to say? “I’ve never been this scared.”

“I can tell, honey. It’ll be okay. Just breathe and do as I say. Stay away from the window.”

“Okay.” I didn’t want to let him go but there was no other choice. When I was once again all alone, a single tear slipped past my lashes. It wasn’t like me but I couldn’t help it. After taking another deep breath, I ran into my bedroom to grab some clothes and toiletries.

I’d made a huge mistake. Huge.

CHAPTER 9

Nikolay

At least Damien had finally fallen asleep, although it had taken some doing.

One thing the little boy loathed was thunderstorms. He usually became hysterical, which was the case tonight. It had taken me two hours to calm him down, the kid crying himself into exhaustion.

I was overwrought, drinking my second scotch and uncertain how I was going to handle this. Something had to give. It just had to.

The drink seemed heavy in my hands and I placed it on my desk, trying to think through something different to do.

When my brain remained muddled, I slammed my hands on the surface, almost knocking off my computer. Wouldn’t you know it, my goddamn phone rang. I almost pitched it across the room but grabbed it instead, exhaling as I stared at the number.

Vissarian.

Shit.

I wasn’t in the mood to take his crap, but he was my brother and never called. “Vissarian. It’s not a good time.”

Heavy guilt also rushed through me like wildfire. The moment my thoughts drifted to just how good it had felt having my cock inside Chantel’s tight pussy, I yanked it back. Never again. I’d promised myself that.

“I need your help,” my brother said in a voice I’d never heard, one that carried fear.

I snapped my head up as my brother never sounded rattled. Never. Tonight, he sounded fearful, which definitely wasn’t like the grandiose man. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Chantel. She quit her job, which I’m thankful for, but someone has been following her. On the subway. Down the street. They’ve parked themselves outside her apartment and she’s terrified.”

“Fuck. What the hell?” I knew she was going by her mother’s maiden name, but if anyone figured out the connection, she’d be fresh meat for the taking, a weapon against the Bratva. “Where is her place? I’ll send a couple men to pick her up.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. Please take care of her. She’s my baby girl.”

“You have my word, brother. With my life.” He rattled off the address and I got off the phone immediately, dialing Danny. “I need you to pick up my… my brother’s adopted daughter.” I had no idea why I’d put it that way other than the lurid thoughts that remained in the back of my mind.

“Okay. Is she in danger?” Danny asked.

“Yeah, some asshole has been following her, standing right outside her place. Watching. Bring her here. Take Maxim or Tanner.”

“Will do. Give me the address.”

The girl had rented a shit apartment in Brooklyn, but at least it was close. Fuck. It was still raining, hard enough the men could try to enter her place through another entrance. But I knew my guys. They’d hurry to snatch her up.

At this point, I was positive it had something to do with the rumor someone was trying to take us down.

I dialed Vadim, not caring whether he was in the middle of dinner.

“Wow. Two times in one day,” he joked.