Chapter 24 - Konstantin

I listened as Leo and Evelina explained the situation and what they had found. "We didn't get very far before their hacker kicked us out, but we got enough. Actually, Mila got most of the information," Evelina sighed.

"She's being treated very well, like royalty," Leo added. "Konstantin, I know you care for her, but she's not in any trouble."

I felt my stomach turning in knots. I couldn't imagine her being happy with them. "Take some time to think about it," Evelina said as she stood up. "Has she contacted you?"

Shaking my head, I knew they could be right. But I wanted her back. My life was a mess without her. I had fallen in love, my heart ached for her. But I would consider all the facts before acting. I thanked them for their assistance and walked them out.

Returning to the living room, Piotr and Alyssa were still seated. "Mila went to make coffee," Piotr said. "Come sit and tell us what you want to do."

After hearing everything, I wondered if she would rather be with her blood family than me. I felt my heart breaking, imagining a life without her. Why had she not made contact? Was she truly happy there? I couldn't get the questions to stop.

My mind was running a marathon against my heart, and I feared both might give out soon. Taking a deep breath, I flopped back into the chair. There was no space left, even for my anger as sorrow filled my entire being.

"Konstantin," I heard Alyssa talking. Looking up, I saw they were both staring at me with worried expressions. "Are you with us?" she added.

Nodding my head, I tried to wipe the fog from my mind. "With all our digging," Piotr said. "We understand why Dahlia didn't know Aleksandr was Bratva. They did a damn good job at hiding it. On paper, his name is as clean as a white sheet of paper. There are also no ties we could find on his Bratva connection. This search was trying, bro."

Mila came in and placed our cups on the table before taking her seat. "We also found that Aleksandr has been providing and protecting Dahlia since he became head of the family. It's been years now, and such a bond can be hard to break."

I felt my insides twisting as she spoke. I hated to think my sweet Dahlia would prefer to stay with those people. The more I heard, the deeper my hate for Aleksandr grew. I wanted to kill him even though he was her half-brother.

Looking up at my family, I spoke clearly. "I don't care. I want her back no matter what. She is carrying my children." I burned with a deep determination, and no one was going to change my mind.

I felt sure everyone could see the determination on my face as Piotr lifted his brows and spoke in an even tone. "What if she doesn't want to come? What would you do?"

Pausing, I considered his words. The fog was clearing, and I could think. "I will show her how much I care and love her. I will spend the rest of my life making her happy." I breathed out.

Mila's phone rang as I rose from the table. I stood waiting as she answered. Hanging up, she grinned. "Well, bro," she said. "You might just get that chance. That was Leo. They found out that the Dubow family is hosting a party tonight. They will all be there, Dahlia, as well."

This was fantastic news; I felt like jumping and screaming with joy. But instead, I nodded and returned her smile. "It is good news."

"We can infiltrate the party as we usually do," Mila added. "Alyssa and Cindy can do surveillance from the van with Leon and Piotr. Plus, if we need assistance, they will be close."

Grinning, I nodded. I knew they would always have my back. I was sure Mila was burning for some action.

Then Piotr interrupted. "No, Leon and I will be going in with you. Mila will stay in the van. They already know what she looks like."

Mila gave Piotr a questioning look but smiled. I wondered if she was truly fine with staying in the van. But there wasn't time to debate, and Piotr was the leader. Agreeing, we went to get ready.

The girls drove in the van to the location. They parked across the street so they could be close. We didn't want all the vehicles nearby, so I parked about two blocks away and drove with Leon. Leon parked one block away, and we walked from there. Piotr went on his motorbike. He entered the parking area and stopped close to the door.

Leo was waiting for us on the other side of the door under a broken light. After we received our fake ID cards, we entered. Glancing around, I spotted two pairs of men carrying. Lightly tapping Leon, I indicated to the men. He nodded and informed Piotr.

To our left was a dance floor with tables arranged around the edges. Against the furthest wall was a stage with a band playing. Before us, against the wall was the bar. It led right around the right side. It was the longest bar counter I had ever seen. There were about twenty bar men and women serving the crowds.

Between the bar and us, on our right, were another couple of tables. There was a big screen television mounted on one wall. I assumed they used this when there were sports matches on.

The place was fuller than I could have imagined. Staying together, we moved to the right side and scanned the room. We ordered beers and moved to one of the tables. I checked everyone entering and leaving, searching every corner, but couldn't find Dahlia. After about ten minutes, I started feeling irritated.

"Let's split up and see what we can find," she huffed, rising from the table. I hadn't even taken a sip of my beer; my stomach was upset enough. I waited until my brothers got up and went in different directions. They had barely left when I spotted her. My heart jumped into my throat, and I had to sit back down.

All of a sudden, my legs felt like Jello. I wanted to run to her and pull her out. But there were four new guards just a little way behind her. Dahlia was wearing a long dark blue dress with silver stripes. She looked incredible; I couldn't peel my eye away.

I waited and watched. At some point, I would be able to find her alone. I just had to be patient. Looking left and right, I couldn't see my brothers. Pressing my hand to the earpiece, I whispered. "I have her in sight."

"Don't do something stupid," Mila spat back.

Before I could reply, I noticed Dahlia entering the bathroom. "I need a distraction, guy," I whispered as I got up. Walking towards the bathroom, I kept my eyes on the guards. Piotr and Leon came into sight. I felt relieved. I was ready to take them on if needed. But I preferred to do this as quietly as possible.

Leon and Piotr walked up to each other and started arguing. This caught the attention of the guards. As they moved away from the bathroom door, I walked closer. I stood against the wall next to the door, waiting for her to come out.

As the door swung open and Dahlia stepped out, I pulled her into my arms. "Sugar," I breathed out heavily. "I have missed you and needed to see you."

Her arms wrapped around my neck as she embraced me. For a moment, we just held each other tightly. Pulling back slightly, she spoke in her sweet voice, filling me with immense pleasure. "I was looking for a way to contact you. I couldn't get through, but I am so happy to see you."

Hearing her voice breaking on her last words, made me angry. How dare these people keep her from me. I held her tight and spoke softly. "I never stopped searching and never would."

Taking hold of my face, she spoke softly. "I love you, baby. I never want to be away from you for so long."

Leaning closer, I whispered against her lips. "I think I've been in love with you for some time. I don't want to spend another minute without you in my life." As our lips brushed. I prepared for a deeply needed kiss, closing my eyes. But we were pulled apart before our lips could truly meet.

Hearing someone clearing his throat behind me, I swung around. Before me stood Aleksandr. His grin pulled his face in, making him appear slightly scary. He was a tall, well-built man with black hair. He had a unibrow and dark eyes. They appeared almost black.

If not for his thin mustache, his face would resemble a skeleton with skin over it. That was what I was seeing, but it could be my mind playing with me. I felt the blood in my veins turn to ice as I stared at him. I couldn't see any family resemblance. Dahlia was a ray of sunshine, an angel. This man before me looked like the devil.

I was ready to take him on if needed. Forming my hands into tight fists, I allowed my anger to heat me again. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw a guard holding Dahlia back from me. "Let her go," I snarled.

I could hear his authority as he spoke in a smooth, deep tone. "In a minute. I was wondering whether one of the Smirnoff family would show up. I suspected one of you had fallen in love with my baby sister."

Looking over his shoulder, I saw the guards coming our way with Piotr and Leon. "We found these men snooping around," The one said as they shoved my brothers toward me.

"There's no need to be rough," I spat, stepping closer to Aleksandr.

He chuckled as he waved at more guards to come closer. "My dear, what do you take me for?"

Feeling my anger now fully flooding me, I tapped him on the chest as I spat back. "I'm no one's fool and surely not your dear."

Aleksandr stepped back, dusting my touch off his shirt as the guards took hold of us. "I set you up, dear," he said, turning. I threw this party to draw you all out. I even allowed your beautiful hacker to access our systems."

Piotr and Leon struggled in the grip of the guards, they wanted to get a hit in on this guy as much as I did. "Calm down, boys," Aleksandr said smoothly. "For my sister's sake, I even let your little hacker escape. I needed to draw you here."

We all stopped struggling as his words settled. "Don't look so surprised or serious. Come on, guys, I just wanted to get you here to sort out the problems."

"Okay," Piotr replied slightly hesitantly. "Let's talk then."

"Not here," Aleksandr huffed, walking toward a door behind the bar. The guards pulled us along. Stepping through the door it felt like we had entered another world. The warehouse we were now in looked a lot like one of the Morozov places.

These were used for getting rid of unwanted people and things. This couldn't be good, I thought as we were dragged towards the back. As we neared the back door, it opened. More guards entered, pulling Alyssa, Cindy, and Mila with them.

"I thought you wanted to talk?" Piotr said loudly.

Aleksandr turned and looked back at us with that crazy grin of his. Waving a hand, the guards let us go. The women joined us as the guards made a tight circle around us. Standing behind Mila and Alyssa, I was able to take out my phone.

I wanted to send Ashan a text but decided not to. "You wouldn't be so bold without your guards," I said, stepping past the women. "Let Dahlia go; let her make her own choices."

Aleksandr glanced around and waved his hand again. The guards moved back to the sides. They were still there but didn't seem as intimidating. We can do this, I thought, looking around. They hadn't removed any of our weapons, so he surely wanted a fight.

The guards holding Dahlia also stepped back, letting her go. Walking towards Aleksandr, I was ready to pop a bullet into his head. But out of respect for Dahlia, I would refrain from doing so.

I stopped practically on top of him before I spoke. "She's mine!" I spat at him.

Aleksandr shoved me back, but I stood my ground. I wasn't about to let this scarecrow take my Dahlia away.