Semua Bab Breathe Me, Bratva King: Bab 21 - Bab 30

AnatoliI walked Estina out of the room, scowling at how I'd found her so frightened again.It hadn't been easy this week, knowing she was here within my reach, yet so aloof and afar. Her dislike of who I was wasn't something I could fail to notice. I felt her ire and frustration in the tension stringing between us. I saw her instant irritation at having to be in a crime lord's home.But there was no changing that. She was right. We were from two different worlds. I still couldn't talk myself out of keeping her in mine for a little longer."It will be all right," I told her, guiding her from this hallway and back toward the front of the building."Nothing is all right here, Anatoli," she snapped. "Nothing is all right about this life you live."I bit my tongue, not rising to the obvious bait to argue with her on that point. We'd never see eye to eye. She'd never understand why I was in this position and how I would always keep this lifestyle. Being in power was in my blood. It was who

EstinaWhen I woke up the next morning, the first thing I noticed was the soreness between my legs. Anatoli had made me come twice last night. Both times were such intense releases that I didn't have the energy to get up afterward.Alone in the bedroom now, I sat up slowly. Sunshine filtered in from the curtains as I yawned, so rested yet so wired and instantly awake. I peered down at my bare body beneath the covers, recalling it all.The fear of witnessing someone being tortured and the knowledge that Anatoli was a dangerous man.The elation of coming for him so hard that it rendered me sleepy and sluggish.His touch was imprinted on my flesh. The taste of his greedy kisses lingered on my lips."What have I done?" I groaned aloud, covering my face with my hands. Slumping back onto the bed, I let the covers drape over me.I needed caffeine and food to fuel the analysis of why I'd caved to him last night, breaking my cool when we argued about whether I should be here at all. I knew I d

AnatoliEstina glanced up at me and Martin, frowning. "I didn't see her last night, either. She sometimes comes to the library when I'm in there looking for a book."Fuck.I called out to the guards to check the property. Men ran to the elevator while some went to the stairs. More of them headed to the security room to check surveillance footage."She's missing," I told Gunsyn as I called him and tried not to panic."How can you know?" Estina asked, shooting to her feet and following me out of the room.I just do. The uneasiness in my gut was telltale enough. I'd woken up bothered about how Masha and I fought last night, and this was why."Estina is missing?" Gunsyn guessed, probably thinking of her first because I'd tasked him with looking into her background and life."No. Masha." I hung up, trusting him to follow up and know what to do. He'd corral men to search for her. He'd take over commanding the men to be efficient and productive with this hunt.But already, I felt the sinking

EstinaLate in the evening, as I sat in the lounge and wondered how I’d managed to go so far from what felt like my previous life, Anatoli returned.Without any men flanking him, without anyone telling him updates, he strode into the room.I stood quickly, on my feet and rushing toward him.Running to him wasn’t wise. He was an angry man, livid and still showing every crease and line of his rage on his scowling face. Hurrying to someone this mad wasn’t smart. Yet, nothing could keep me from needing to help. Needing to know if I could do anything.“Is she⁠—”He held up his hand, shaking his head as he spotted me. Stopping in the middle of the room, he shoved his free hand in his pocket and seemed to sag on the spot. His shoulders drooped. He lowered his head as he massaged his temple. But when he glanced up again, the exhaustion that shone in his dark eyes pained me.It was never a good thing for a doctor to have a bleeding heart.But dammit, did it seep and ooze for him. Witnessing hi

EstinaWe arrived at the Marcelli residence with the same urgency that I felt when ambulances pulled up to the emergency department. The brakes squealed. People rushed out from the front door, ready to help. Masha was too shaken and scared to walk on her own, so Anatoli carried her. Like a doctor on the clock, I ran in alongside them, ready to do what I was trained at."Take her to her room," I said. Ordering this Mafia boss wasn't something that would happen often. He wouldn't listen to me when he was the one in charge. But on this, he didn't argue. He trusted me, at least within my specialty.Together, we hurried into the elevator. Martin rode with us, stoic-faced and calm as ever as Anatoli issued orders. To ensure Gunsyn is handling everything in his stead as he watched over Masha. Then, facing me, he asked, "What else? What do you need? What does she need?"I couldn't answer that until I'd really assessed her, but I knew what he wanted to hear. Equipment, materials, resources. He