Stolen By The Bratva King (NYC Russian Royals #2)

Chapter 47

47

Emery

L eon’s been gone for less than two hours, and I’m climbing the walls.

My guard, Felix, is apologetic about the whole thing. He’s not a natural jailer, and once I realized he wouldn’t go against Leon’s wishes and let me leave, I stopped antagonizing him.

He’s now stationed outside my apartment door, at my request, in case I need him to get something for me.

I’m not allowed to leave, even if Felix escorts me. There was an incident a few years ago where some mafia guy’s girlfriend went to get coffee and was abducted, so Leon doesn’t want to make the same mistake, and while I understand his concern, it doesn’t feel good.

This is the wrong kind of control, the kind Dante used to exert.

I’m a professional woman who has a job—a real vocation. I can’t drop my responsibilities to cater to the capricious whims of my bratva husband, a man who loves me but also courts danger every day of his life.

I’ll have it out with him when he gets back. Maybe, with this ordeal behind him, he’ll be able to see how unreasonable he’s being by locking me away like a fairytale princess.

I’m pondering ordering UberEats when my cell phone rings, sliding over the table as it vibrates. I snatch it up, hoping it’s Leon finally calling me back, but it’s Jess.

I slide the button to green. “Hey, I know you were expecting me, but?—”

“Emery, you have to come in.” Her voice is shaky, underpinned with genuine panic, and it silences me instantly. “Something has happened.”

“What’s going on?”

“We’re not sure. Sixteen trauma calls at once, and we’ve got them all.” She draws a deep breath. “Seven of them are kids , Em. Gunshot wounds, two near drownings. It’s carnage, and we’re struggling to scramble doctors.”

I swallow a nauseous belch of fear.

People shot, kids almost drowned? It can’t be a coincidence; life isn’t that cruel.

“Is Leon there?”

“What? No, why would he be? Look, stop asking questions and get here ASAP. We’re gonna lose lives without you. Children’s lives.”

She pauses. “And there’s something else. That little boy, Desi, is leaving first thing tomorrow morning, heading upstate to the orphanage. If you want to see him, this is your last chance.”

How am I gonna get out of here? Felix won’t let me leave for anything; ER emergencies are tragic and terrifying, but orders are orders, and without Leon around to say otherwise, Felix has to hold his post.

“Okay, Em, calm down.” I cast my eyes around, thinking fast. “I’m in a bind here, but I’ll find a way.”

“Hurry.”

She hangs up, and I pause for a moment.

Jess is an experienced nurse; even a multi-patient code red trauma alert wouldn’t phase her to that extent. She also has a young son with a blood disorder, leading to terrifying late-night dashes to the very ER she works in.

Her voice on the call chilled me to the bone. I never even imagined Jess could sound so shaken up; it must be really bad.

And Desi. I have to say goodbye.

There’s no question in my mind: one way or another, I’m going, and when it comes to Leon, I’ll beg forgiveness rather than ask permission.

Not that he’s picking up my calls; they go straight to voicemail.

Actually, to Hell with him. People are dying, and it’s his fault. He said he’s all about keeping order, but what part of that justifies the snuffing out of innocent lives?

My stomach flips again, and I feel weak. I can’t believe I was thinking of food only a few minutes ago?—

That’s it. I’ve got it. A few clicks on my phone, and the plan is in motion.

I open my apartment door to find Felix sitting on the floor, looking bored. He’s working on the New Yorker’s cryptic crossword, and judging by the number of empty squares, it’s giving him trouble.

“Having fun?” I ask, sitting cross-legged beside him.

He eyes me dubiously. “The time of my life. Are you alright?”

“I’m hungry.” I hold up my phone. “I ordered from my favorite ramen place. They’ll be here in twenty minutes, and I’ll go and collect it at the door. Thought you should know.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Vasilieva, but I’m not letting you take the risk. I will go downstairs when your food arrives, and you will stay up here, out of sight. Last thing I need is for you to get sniped while picking up noodles.”

He smiles. “And besides, I know how smart you are. You think I’m gonna fall for a ruse like that? You’ll vanish into the night, and Leon will murder me.”

“Whatever,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Smartass.”

He glares at me. “What?”

“Nine down. ‘Donkey too clever for his own good’?”

He glances at the crossword and realizes what I’m talking about.

“Thanks,” he says, filling in the space. “I’ve never been good at these. Let me know when your delivery is here.”

The driver is late, obviously. The one time it really matters, and my order is a full ten minutes behind time.

When my phone finally pings, I’m ready.

I set my shower running and leave the bathroom door wide open. Felix won’t dare come in if he thinks I might be naked in there, so if I pull this off, he won’t even notice I’m gone.

To throw him off the scent, I have my bathrobe on over my clothes, but with only my head sticking out, he won’t be able to tell.

I open my apartment door a crack and smile apologetically.

“Food’s arrived, but I can’t get it anyway,” I say, trying to sound casual. “I’m about to get in the shower. Will you just put the bag inside my door and I’ll grab it when I’m done?”

“Sure.” Felix stands and stretches, his shirt lifting to reveal the gun at his hip. “Sit tight.”

I nod. “Will do. I ordered you some gyoza for being patient with me.”

“Thanks. Back in a minute.”

I watch Felix walk to the end of the corridor, praying the crossword was the omen it seemed, and he’s missed my clues, too. All he has to do is glance back, and I’ll be busted.

Felix pauses at the end, and I hold my breath. If he turns left, that means he’s taking the stairs, but if he goes right, it’s the elevator.

Whichever he chooses, I’ll be taking the other, but I know which gives me the best chance. I have it all worked out.

Take the elevator take the elevator take the ? —

Felix strides to the right and into the elevator lobby.

I close my door as quietly as I can, then run like the wind for the fire door, praying my so-called guard doesn’t turn around.

My heart gallops, and I wait for Felix’s voice to bellow after me, but there’s nothing.

I dart out on the floor below and slap the elevator call button before heading back to the stairwell.

One pointless stop will be enough for me to get ahead and out the rear door that leads to the parking lot. Even the delivery guy won’t see me.

Felix will collect the ramen, leave it inside my apartment, then sit diligently outside, oblivious to the fact the cage is empty.

Cool plan, Emery. Ingenious. When Leon finished being furious, he’ll be proud of you, but there’s only one chance to get it right.

I race down the flights, my fingertips skimming the rail so I don’t lose my footing.

In seconds, the first floor lobby door looms before me, and it’s the moment of truth. Is Felix waiting for me?

I pause to catch a breath before strolling through. The open space reveals no bratva bodyguards, only a tired-looking concierge who’s trying not to fall asleep at the desk.

I can’t dawdle. Any second now, the elevator will chime its arrival, and he will catch me.

The doors to the parking lot are behind me. I fling them open just as I hear the telltale sound of the elevator.

My pulse spikes—what if he doubled back? But through the small window, I watch Felix stroll toward the main entrance, arms swinging at his sides.

He saw nothing. I did it.

I cross the lot to the street entrance, join the avenue, and hail a cab.

Something about Jess’s call keeps tugging at the back of my mind, like a thread I’m afraid to pull, but there’s no time for second-guessing.

The easy part is over, and I don’t know what will be worse: the scene unfolding at the hospital, or my husband’s wrath.

I don’t care. Someone has to try to take back the harm he’s done.

Leon has a job to do? Well, so do I.