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She swallowed hard. “Understood.” The phone clicked off. Her heart was beginning to race. So Ivan Sokolov knew who she was related to more than likely if his comment was any indication.
What the hell happened tonight? God, I hope Annabella is okay.
****
“She will need protection. If whomever is responsible for this finds out that Annabella overheard that conversation and the address, they could retaliate.” Dante said to Ivan. They were all in the other room now, leaving Annabella to rest.
“No one knows what she overheard because she didn’t tell anyone. Not even Lucca.” Ivan said to him.
“They could put it together. Berin could have called someone and told them what Annabella said to him and then he was ordered to take her. They would know she would tell us, and assume she knew more.” Roman added too.
“Or, Berin knew he screwed up and he would have to take matters into his own hands to cover his fuck up. I think going after Annabella will be furthest from their minds as our men track down the ones responsible and begin to investigate the source of the hit.” Ivan told them.
His cell phone rang. He pulled it off the clip and saw the caller I.D. “Hello?”
“What the hell happened? I just heard about a shootout outside Gables, and that there’s something going on and you’re pissed.”
“Good, word travels fast and I will take care of all those involved Vincent.”
“No one was hurt then?”
“Annabella was caught in the crossfire. I won’t get into details now, Vincent.”
“Annabella? What? Is she okay? Was she hurt? Where is she now?”
Ivan clenched his teeth.
“She is under my care and will recover.” Vincent was silent.
“What do you need from me Ivan? Whatever you need.”
“I appreciate the offer. We’ll handling things here.”
“Please, give her my best. Have her call me as soon as she can and feels up to it. No wonder she didn’t answer her cell phone.”
“We’ll see. Thank you.” He ended the call then looked at his cousins, his men.
“Keep me posted on any updates.” He walked back into the living room to check on Annabella.
She lay there on the couch looking small and feminine. Her legs crunched up, her toenails painted pink. Her eyes furrowed, her lips pursed, she was moaning a little in her sleep, and it angered him. She didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of such violence. He couldn’t believe that she struck Berin the way she did and then continued to fight him so he couldn’t shoot Ivan, Roman or anyone else. She was a fighter, yet she was so innocent, so sweet, and young that she didn’t know the evil surrounding her. He was concerned to say the least over Maloney’s interest in her, and he knew the man wouldn’t back down. He was practically throwing spears at Ivan after the little show he put on to protect her from Maloney.
He thought about how Vincent called, and how he said he texted her. Ivan reached for her bag, and pulled out her cell phone. He saw the text messages immediately. He scanned them, reading what Vincent said about convincing her to come work for him at Carlotto’s a couple of n
ights a week. He was jealous, yet he knew Vincent and his family and they knew the power Ivan had. He wouldn’t be a problem, plus now he knew she was here at Ivan’s penthouse.
He saw another text from two guys, Cody and Brandon, saying she was definitely welcome to crash at their place and they would be ready and waiting for her, to make her feel at home. Jealousy had him standing up and pacing as he read the texts back and forth and how she laughed off their comments about friends with benefits and it would be fun, that they always had a thing for her and she finally says forget about it, and that she would deal with things.
His mind was in a whirlwind of thoughts. As a soldier he dealt with many things, many dangerous situations, and sad encounters. He adapted, he processed and he overcame. As a killer, a made man forced into a high position in the Russian families, he became even more cold hearted and distant. He didn’t do emotions, he didn’t look at the after effects of his actions. He was on a mission for years to survive and not get killed by Kolikov’s supporters. He did more than that. He overtook an entire operation, generations of power, of families, of responsibilities and he ruled with respect and with a firm hand.
Ivan wasn’t a fool. He knew there were enemies still out there. Knew that complacency led to self-destruction, and he didn’t focus on himself so much as he did the entire family. He ran operations, businesses, investments, both legit and not so legit with the intention of sharing with the families, considering them all one unit, but he had the most power. Why? Because he feared nothing. Not a thing. Not getting hurt, not being a target, not dying, he feared nothing. So why did he feel fear for Annabella as a gun was pointed at her, while he watched her fight to save him, his friends and men from getting shot?
He looked at her. She was everything and more that a normal man had the right to pursue, to desire, to claim, to mark his own, but not a man like him. Not a made man. Made in America, a product of violence, a soulless, egotistical, mob boss, who would choose money, power, influence, authority over all other things. He gave up years ago, on the idea of being a normal man with the right to pursue such perfection as Annabella. Why did that line of thinking make his dead heart ache?
****
Annabella blinked her eyes opened and felt the aches and pains. It seemed as if her entire body hurt, as well as her head. She looked around the room and saw a blanket and pillow on the couch across from where she lay. Looking past that she spotted Ivan on the phone and looking out the window. She realized that last night was real. That she was in his penthouse in the city, and that some doctor who worked for Ivan’s family took care of her.
“How are you feeling?” She blinked several times and then saw the man from last night. The doctor they called Victor.
