Chapter 12 - Roman

I sit in my office at the casino, the low hum of fluorescent lights flickering above me. The usual clamor of chips and laughter from the gaming floor feels distant today, almost muted against the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind. I have legitimate work to do, emails to respond to, and schedules to manage, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Gwen.

She’s brave—almost fearless—and the way she let me in last night still sends a warmth curling through my chest. It’s strange to think how someone so seemingly delicate can carry a fire that ignites the room, lighting it with an intensity I didn’t know I craved. She trusts me, and that knowledge is a double-edged sword. I want to protect her, yet part of me is fiercely proud that she isn’t afraid to face the chaos surrounding her.

With a sigh, I rub the back of my neck, trying to chase away the images of her—her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she was excited, the soft way her body melted against mine. My thoughts flicker to our conversation last night as we talked about her and her need for a night out.

I have many ideas on how to help her and make her happy, but I know there’s nothing that will make her happier than having Riley back. It pains me that I can’t simply ignore everything I know, everything I was brought up with, and go after Riley myself, guns blazing, so I can bring her back to safety and watch the way Gwen’s face lights up upon her return.

But I have to be smart. I have to do this right.

We have the men's names. We’re trying to arrange a meeting. I know we’ll make progress soon.

“Roman?” Anya’s voice pulls me from my reverie. I look up as the door swings open, my sister standing there with a sweet smile. She steps into the office, her presence lighting up the dim space. “Jesus. You look like you’re plotting something dark and sinister.”

“Just trying to get some work done.” I lean back in my chair, masking the distraction with a smirk. “You know how it is.”

She arches an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leans against the doorframe. “Right. Because you definitely look like a man who’s all business and no pleasure.”

I chuckle, unable to help myself. Anya has always had a knack for reading me like an open book. “What do you want, Anya?”

Her lips curl into a knowing smile. “I wanted to check in on you and your new wife. How’s that going?”

I hesitate for a moment, contemplating the complexities of our relationship. “She’s... adjusting.”

Anya steps closer, her expression softening. “Adjusting? You make it sound like she’s just moved into a new apartment, not married into the Bratva.” She pulls up a chair in front of my desk, then leans forward on her elbows with a giddy smile. “So… what’s she like?”

I roll my eyes playfully, then return my attention to my computer. “You’ve met her already.”

“No, come on, bratik ,” she groans. “I barely got the chance to talk to her. Tell me. I want to know all about her.”

I sigh. Anya was easily the most resilient out of our family, and she never went down without a fight. If people thought I always got my way, they haven’t met her yet. She’s much worse than me.

“Okay,” I sigh, turning to give her my full attention and watch her eyes light up as I do so.

Anya nods with interest. “What is she like? Shy, smart, crazy?”

She’s fucking insane, I’ll tell you, I think to myself before answering. “She’s very smart, well-educated. Determined. Stubborn as hell, perhaps more than you on that one. Definitely leans more to the independent side, and she’s a tough shell to crack.” I find a warmth sprouting in my chest and growing the more I talk about Gwen. “She’s really sweet once you get to know her and super adventurous.”

“Sounds like a perfect match for you,” Anya says with an impressed look. “A match made in heaven.”

I can’t help but feel a swell of pride at her words. “Yeah? I like her. A lot. It’s just... complicated.”

“Complicated how?” she presses, her curiosity piqued.

“Just—” I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “There’s a lot going on. The Vultures. Riley. I don’t want to drag her into our mess, and she insists upon being involved in every way possible.”

Anya nods, understanding etched on her features. “You’re protective. I get it. But she’s in this with you now. You can’t keep her at arm’s length.”

“Believe me, I’m trying,” I mutter, raking a hand through my hair. “But the more I get to know her, the more I want to keep her safe. And with everything going on…” I trail off, my thoughts drifting to Riley’s kidnapping.

Anya’s gaze sharpens. “You’re worried about Riley.”

“Sure, I suppose. I’m more worried about what Gwen will do to me if I don’t get her back,” I chuckle, then turn serious. “. I just… I can’t let Gwen get caught in the crossfire.”

“Maybe you should let her in,” she suggests gently. “She might surprise you.”

A teasing smirk creeps onto my lips. “She surprises me, all right.”

Anya laughs, a musical sound that brightens the room. “Ew!” She feigns barfing, then shakes her head. “Grossness aside, it sounds like she’s good for you. You need that balance in your life.”

“Balance,” I repeat, contemplating the weight of her words. Gwen’s warmth and spirit bring a lightness I didn’t know I needed. But then, there’s the darkness that follows me, lurking just beyond the door. I can’t hide from it, and I don’t want it to swallow Gwen as well as me.

“Speaking of balance, I’m taking Gwen out today,” Anya announces, cutting through my thoughts. “We’re going to bond.”

“Bond?” I raise an eyebrow, half-amused, half-intrigued. “This is the first I’ve heard of it. Does Gwen even know? What’s your plan?”

“I’m sure she’ll say yes when I ask. I thought we’d do some shopping,” she replies, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Maybe grab a coffee and talk girl stuff. You know, help her feel like part of the family.”

“Sounds harmless,” I say, but a knot forms in my stomach. “Just—keep her safe.”

“Roman, I’m not taking her to a gunfight. I’ll keep her out of trouble,” Anya reassures me, her voice steady. “You worry too much.”

I don’t worry too much, that’s the thing. I’m always calm, cool, and collected, mostly because I’m always in control. But this, Riley’s kidnapping and Gwen’s resilience, is the first occurrence of me lacking control for a long while. I trust Anya, I really do, and I want to trust Gwen. But who knows if she’ll try to sneak away to find Riley herself? Or, try to escape from me?

Would she? Does she want to?

I shake my head, a mix of irritation and concern churning. “It’s not just about today. The Vultures are still out there. I want her to be ready.”

Anya tilts her head, considering my words. “What do you mean?”

“Gwen needs to know how to handle herself,” I explain, the idea forming more solidly in my mind. “We need to prepare her for whatever comes next. I don’t want to shield her from everything, but I also don’t want her to be naive about our world.”

Anya’s eyes widened, and a slow smile spread across her face. “You’re suggesting I take her shopping for a disguise, aren’t you?”

“More like a wardrobe update,” I clarify, though my intentions are far more serious. “On top of a fresh closet, she also needs something that can help her blend in, just in case.”

Anya bursts into laughter. “Oh, Roman, you’re so sweet. I thought you meant a sexy little outfit. Haha! You know how I think.”

“That’s not—” I sigh, running a hand through my hair again. I quickly push away the thoughts of Gwen in different outfits. “I just want her to be prepared.”

“Got it. I’ll make sure to find her something functional and cute,” Anya says, nodding enthusiastically. “But you can’t blame me for thinking you might want to dress her up for a different kind of party.”

“Anya…” I warn, but she just laughs again, playfully sticking her tongue out at me.

“Relax, big brother. I won’t let her out of my sight. She’s safe with me.”

I exhale, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “Just make sure she knows how serious this is.”

“Of course. We’ll keep it light. Girls’ day out, right?”

I nod, finally feeling a bit more at ease. “Fine. Just—be careful. We need to get Riley back.”

“Leave it to me.” Anya gives me a cheeky salute and spins on her heel to leave the office, leaving me with the remnants of my thoughts and the weight of responsibility pressing down on my chest.

As the door clicks shut behind her, I lean back in my chair, staring at the mess of papers on my desk. I have a lot of work to do on top of the whole ordeal involving Gwen, Riley, and the Vultures. I’ve barely eased into my move to Las Vegas, barely even begun to take care of Luka’s casino the way I planned while he’s away.

My thoughts drift back to Gwen. I can’t shake the feeling that I want her to share this chaos by my side. But the reality of our world is murky at best, and I can’t let her dive in without preparation.

I glance at my phone, debating whether to text her or not. But before I can make up my mind, it buzzes against the desk, a reminder that the world outside my office is still spinning, still demanding my attention.

I grab it, my heart sinking as I see the name flashing on the screen—Victor. I don’t hesitate to answer.

“Roman,” he greets me, his tone serious. “We need to talk.”

I lean forward, my stomach tightening. “About Riley?”

“Yeah,” he replies, his voice low. “We’ve got a lead on where the Vultures might be holding her. But it’s not good.”

My heart races, adrenaline surging through me. “What do you mean?”

“Meet me in the usual spot,” he instructs, and I can hear the underlying urgency in his voice.

“On my way,” I respond, hanging up quickly.

I grab my jacket, and the conversation with Anya is already a distant memory. I need to focus on Riley, fulfill my promise to Gwen, and get her back as safely and as soon as possible.

With every step I take toward the door, determination hardens in my chest. I will find Riley. I will protect Gwen. And I will make sure our lives don’t fall apart.

As I stride through the casino, my heart pounds with a rhythm that echoes the chaotic energy around me. The distant sounds of laughter and clinking chips fade into a dull roar as I push through the heavy door leading to the parking garage. The air shifts, filled with the familiar scent of leather and gasoline, grounding me for the task ahead. My mind spins with thoughts, wondering what Victor has to share. Good news? Bad news? I couldn’t decide.

I slide into my car, the engine rumbling to life beneath me, and I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. The usual route to our meeting spot feels different today, and the weight of worry is heavy in my gut. The Vultures have Riley, and the thought alone sends a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I can’t shake the image of her—vulnerable and scared—held captive by those monsters.

As I drive, my mind races with potential scenarios. Is she hurt? Alive, even? I curse under my breath, frustration boiling within me. I can’t stand the thought of her being scared or in pain, not when I could have done something to prevent it. But now, I can only focus on finding and bringing her home.

Pulling into the alley behind one of our quieter locations—a nondescript bar that serves as a safe house for us—I spot Victor waiting by the back entrance, his posture tense and alert. He glances at me as I approach, his eyes narrowing with concern.

“Roman,” he says, his voice low as we step inside. The bar is empty, the dim light casting long shadows across the floor. “We’ve got a potential location for Riley.”

“Where?” I demand, my pulse quickening.

Victor hesitates, his gaze flicking to the door before he speaks. “Word on the street is that she’s being held in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Not the one we initially believed it was, but another location. The place isn’t attached to their names, making it the perfect spot. The Vultures use it as a drop point for their shipments. They run drugs through there.”

“Do we know how many are guarding her?” I ask, already formulating a plan in my mind.

“Not exactly,” he replies. “But we can’t go in half-cocked. They’re smart. She won't make it out if they catch wind of us coming.”

“Then we need to be strategic,” I say, my voice firm. “We’ll gather intel first, see what we’re dealing with before making any moves.”

“Agreed.” Victor nods, but I can see the doubt in his eyes. “But we don’t have much time. The last time we met with them, we shut down their ransom. It’ll be a miracle if she’s still alive.”

“We move fast then,” I interrupt, my resolve hardening. “Play dumb in tomorrow night’s meeting. After that, we get our men and hit them hard. This ends now.”

We discuss the plan in hushed tones, laying out the details like a carefully constructed blueprint. Victor plans to contact some of Luka’s men in the state, along with our brothers and Anya. We’ll surround the building with armed men while Victor, Anton, and I storm it.

The stakes are high, and every second counts. My mind drifts to Gwen, wondering how she’s faring with Anya. I can only hope that the world of danger we inhabit remains at bay, even as we take the fight to the Vultures.

After finalizing our strategy, I step outside, the cool evening air hitting me like a wave. I pull out my phone, debating whether to check on Gwen. I need to keep her in the loop, but I also want to protect her from the weight of this situation.

With a sigh, I tuck the phone back into my pocket, deciding it’s best to keep her unaware for now. I’ll tell her everything once Riley is safe. In the meantime, I want her to enjoy her time out with my sister. I want to see her smiling when I return to the penthouse. I don’t want her fearful or scared—more than she already is.

As I head back to my car, I feel a familiar tension build within me, a mixture of anxiety and determination. The clock is ticking, and every moment we delay gives the Vultures an advantage. I can’t let that happen. I refuse to let them control the narrative.

I drive back to the casino, my mind racing as I review the plan. I can’t shake the image of Riley from my mind. I need to bring her back, not just for the sake of my family but for the sake of the entire Bratva.

She’s one of us now, whether she knows it or not.