Kidnapped Bratva Twins (Tarasov Bratva #6)

Prologue – Ravyn

I had to run.

Lev Tarasov's mansion was no place to raise my children. That ruthless killer didn't have what it took to be a father. He'd only pass on his legacy of cruelty and teach them the way of the Bratva.

He was a man whose loyalty lay with his family business—one of the most feared criminal organizations in the whole of Chicago.

His life was a web of trouble, crime, and violence. The man had enemies here and there, enemies that were just as ruthless and would do anything to take him down.

It wasn't safe for me and, mostly, the kids.

At least, this was my justification for running away when I learned that I was pregnant. Hiding was only delaying the inevitable.

Lev would soon find me. He'd come for me, and when he did, it would be a cold day in hell. But as fierce as he thought I was, I wasn't ready for that day—I dreaded it because it would essentially mark the end of life as I knew it.

It didn't matter how much my body craved his touch or how much I longed for him; I wouldn't give in to the illicit thoughts running through my mind. I knew better. I'd learned the hard way to stay the hell away from that twisted devil, that monster forged in blood and brutality.

His hands were stained with sin, his heart cold like the Arctic water. Lev had ice in his veins. He was a man as disciplined with his chiseled physique as he was with his code of honor—a code he wouldn't break for anyone or anything.

Bloodshed was just another Tuesday for him, and he was the kind of man who was powerful enough to take whatever he wanted. Unfortunately for me, I was the one he wanted.

However, I'd fled from that monster years ago, and now I was hiding in the quiet coastal town of Evergreen Bay, under a new identity.

Although it seemed like I was far from reach, I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't. The only way to escape that devil's grasp was to leave this world—to die. As cruel as it seemed, death was the one thing that could truly keep me away from him. So long as I walked the Earth, it was only a matter of time before he found me.

I was safe from him for now, but how long was I going to keep running? How long would it take me to elude him? How long until he came bursting through the front door?

A flash of lightning streaked the clouds outside, accompanied by rolls of thunder as the downpour began. The wind howled, whistling, rain splattering on the closed windows.

I sat on the side of Elara's bed, my fingers clutching the hem of her blanket as I spread it over her body, shielding her from the cold.

Across from her was her twin brother Nikolai, snuggled under the sheets, his eyes hollow and cold like those of his father's lingering over us.

Nikolai was a spitting image of Lev Tarasov, same dark hair, same eyes, and the same sharp, angular features. Each time I looked at him, I saw the man from whom I was on the run. Nikolai was a constant reminder that I would always carry a piece of Lev with me wherever I went.

However, he was a sweet little boy, reserved, and didn't talk much, unlike his sister, Elara.

Elara, on the other hand, was more like me in more ways than one. She had my blue eyes, my golden blonde hair, and a lot of my confidence—although these days, I didn't have much of that left in me anymore.

These kids were all that I had. They meant the world to me. Elara and Nikolai were my everything, and I'd do anything in my power, go to any length, to keep them away from that life of violence that their father lived.

I deluded myself into thinking I'd given them Russian names because I loved the choices. However, the truth that I was too scared to admit was that I actually did that to honor their father—kind of. A part of me still felt guilty for running with his kids and for denying him the opportunity to know of their existence.

Perhaps this was my way of soothing my conscience, even though I wouldn't change my actions.

“Mom?” Nikolai's calm voice invaded my thoughts, drawing my attention.

“Yes, honey?” I replied, my eyes locking on his in a fleeting moment.

“Where's Dad?” he questioned, his gaze never leaving mine.

My heart sank into my stomach, a sudden heat burning me up on the inside. His question caused my breath to lodge in my throat as a wave of anxiety washed over me.

“Other kids talk about their dads, but we don't,” Elara added, her voice laced with emotion.

I shot a quick glance at her, my heart skipping a beat at the glint of emptiness in her blue eyes.

As a mother, I'd tried to the best of my abilities these past three years to make them happy. I played the role of both Mom and Dad, but clearly, that wasn't enough. There still remained a void that I couldn't fill no matter how hard I tried.

I'd always known that, someday, one of them would address this topic, but I just didn't think it would happen so soon.

What was I supposed to say? They were too young to understand anything. What should I do?

“Who is our Dad?” Nik asked, desperation creeping into his tone, his hollow eyes simmering with a glint of sleepiness.

I swallowed, my heart racing with anticipation, but I maintained a soft expression, managing to squeeze out a smile. “Do you know what ‘complicated’ means?” I began, my eyes darting across the both of them.

“Not really,” Elara said, her gaze fixed on me.

“Well.” I let out a sigh, trying to mask my discomfort with a slightly broadening grin. “It means that there are some things you can't understand until you're older.”

“Things about Dad?” Nik asked, a hint of disappointment flashing on his face.

“Sadly, yes,” I said, my tone mild and calm, hoping my response would douse their curiosity.

“Well, if it's…” Elara said and paused, her eyes rolling as if searching for the right word. “complicated,” she continued, “then at least tell us how you met him.” A small smile played on her lips, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

I stole a glance at her brother, and he had the same expression. They both looked intrigued, hoping to hear a story about their father.

As dark as that place in my head was, I had to revisit that memory for children's sake. I couldn't deny them this request even though it would end up breaking my heart all over again.

I could almost hear the DJ's hypnotic beats echoing in my head as I took a rough trip down memory lane.

The events of that night would forever linger on the fringes of my mind. It was on that night that I met the devil who changed the course of my life.

Images of his face flashed in my head as I recalled the happenings that led to this day.