But then I noticed the small droplets of blood on his shirt that weren't visible to me before, and how his cheeks were scratched as if someone viciously used their nails on him—purposely, not by accident.
“What’s going on?”
Instead of answering, he pulled me into the room harshly before I could react and threw me inside the bathroom right on the slippery tile. I lost my balance, slipping on my heels. The fall hurt my knees and arms in the process. A scream of pain left me, while shock still rushed through me.
Focusing my eyes in the fog, I noticed Tina lying on the tile floor, her blonde hair covered in blood as the shower beat on her. Gasping in horror, I crawled to her, my hands trembling, because I was afraid to touch her. What if I hurt her more? Instead, I stood up, turned off the water, and grabbed a towel, placing it on her and checked her pulse. Relief along with tears came like a wave when I felt the light thumping of her heart. “Tina, hold on. Please hold on,” I whispered, while patting her cheek where she wasn't hurt. She needed medical attention immediately. The wound on her head was huge, and there was so much blood. Several bruises marked her normally flawless, tanned skin, and I just couldn't comprehend what the hell had happened here.
Phone, I need to call Radmir.
Searching for my purse, which had slid under the sink, I almost reached it when John showed up again with remorse and insanity in his eyes, blocking my way. “No, Vivian. Don’t do this.” He made a move to caress my cheek, but I stepped back, and he clenched his jaw tightly. “I did it for us.”
What?
Only then, I looked down and noticed a gun in his hand, which was pointed at me, and fear froze me in place as he motioned with it to the door. “Come outside, you shouldn't be here. Come, my love, I’m sorry you had to see this.” I didn't move, couldn't as my mind popped images in my head as if I watched a movie.
John always being nice to me.
John claiming he would help me.
John offering to sit with Jake or fix my studio lighting.
Director.
Perfect John who always seemed to want to be near me. I shook the thought off all the time, thinking it was my imagination.
“Vivian, move or I’ll kill her.”
With no other choice, I obeyed his order as he placed his hand on my back and pushed me gently in the direction of the living room, nausea hitting hard from his touch.
Radmir.
Radmir
“Absolutely not.” Dominic hit the table with his fist, shaking the pen holders and everything else on it. “No drugs on my streets, Andrei,” he warned one of the Bratva brigadiers as the man in question shifted uncomfortably in his chair under the pakhan’s scrutiny.
A brigadier was a man appointed by the pakhan who was in charge of a small group of Bratva men in a specific territory. Although he didn't have to ask permission for small deals and orders, just pay respect to the pakhan every month, he didn't have authority to decide who could deal drugs, guns, or pimps without consulting the Bratva.
He showed up shortly after the guys cooled off from the gym-dancing session—I still had to chuckle at that—and Dominic ordered Yuri, Vitya, and me to his office.
“It’s a good deal. Our profit would increase—” Andrei still pushed his point, even though he paled at the steel in the pakhan’s voice.
Dominic rose on his seat, plastering his palms on the wood, and leaned forward, menace and anger slipping through every pore like an angry bull.
Watching him in the role was quite fascinating. As his sovietnik, I didn't get to experience him like this. Vasya was a great pakhan, but Dominic was magnificent in his role. Pride filled my chest, remembering the skinny teenager who had arrived at the Bratva and sought my help. I was glad he took only the best from it.
“I won’t repeat myself again, Andrei. I don’t deal drugs or women. I made it perfectly clear when I rose to power, and anyone who disagrees with me is welcome to challenge.”
He buried his back deeper into the chair, shaking his head rapidly. The fucker was strong, but he had no strength on Dom.
“Of course not, Pakhan. But Vasya—”
“Vasya has been dead for three years. Whatever he promised you became null the minute he died.” Then Dom took out his gun and put it to Andrei’s forehead, and sweat appeared on his upper lip. “If I learn you went against me, you’ll die a painful death.” Dominic’s skills at making someone pay were legendary back when he was an enforcer.
Even I, with all my skills, wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of his anger.
“Understood, Pakhan.”
“Get the fuck out of my office.”
