Chapter 7 - Dahlia

I was stunned by the words flowing from Konstantin's lips. First, he practically insisted I stay. He was the father, but I felt the baby was mine. I would decide who could be part of the child's life.

It was amazing what lengths this man would go to, even lying to me just to keep me close. I couldn't believe my ears. Did he really think I would believe my cousin was mixed up with Bratva?

"You are talking about my family," I spat at him. "You don't know what you are talking about. I can guarantee you that."

Konstantin spoke softly as he replied. "I'm sorry. I am sure it is hard to accept. But I have proof."

"I need to talk to my cousin. You are wrong!" I demanded, stomping my foot on the ground.

"Okay, we can do that. Or…"

I waited for him to continue, feeling my blood boiling. My cousin was a respected businessman, and I wouldn't let him ruin his reputation. He just stood there looking at me. He was waiting for me to react, but I wouldn't give him any satisfaction. Placing my hands on my hips, I met his eyes, daring him to continue.

"You can come with me, and I will prove it to you," he eventually added.

I felt enraged as his words filled the air around us. If I ran, he would surely follow. He was studying me, waiting for me to react. Deciding to wait until he let his guard down before I left, I sat back down.

Seeing him relax slightly, I knew he was feeling more comfortable with me sitting. "Can I ask my sister to come over and bring the proof?" Konstantin enquired as he took out his phone.

"If that's what you want," I replied, looking at the clear sky outside. I wasn't going to stay around for this sister of his. I was sure she would be bringing some falsified papers or documents. I waited and watched as he dialed a number and moved towards the other side of the room.

I had to find the right time to get out unnoticed. I would wait for his sister; maybe while they're busy, I would find a gap. Turning back to me, he smiled. "She's on her way," he said, walking to the chair. "Sit, I promise you won't be disappointed." He added, sounding quite sure of himself.

It wasn't long before the woman he called Mila arrived. She was quite the opposite of him and nothing like I had imagined. I assumed that because it was his sister, there would be a resemblance. There was none.

She had curly red-blond hair and wore jeans with a leather jacket. She had knee-high boots on. By the helmet she had in her hand, I assumed she drove a motorbike.

Mila stood looking at me as if I was something the cat had dragged in. She pulled a file from inside her jacket and handed it to Konstantin. "Here's the file," she said in a flat tone. I was sure that somewhere inside was a friendly woman. But the one standing before him in his apartment made me think of a wicked stepsister.

Konstantin turned to me, smiling. He held up the folder as he spoke. "Here it is, sugar, all the proof you need." He held out the folder to me, and I took it reluctantly.

"Konstantin, can we talk?" Mila asked, still standing by the door.

"Sure thing," he said, glancing back at her. Facing me again, he smiled broadly as he spoke. "I'll be right back, sugar. You read the file so long."

The two of them moved down the short passage and disappeared. This was my opportunity, I thought as I placed the file down and headed for the door. Opening it softly, I looked down the passage. I presumed they were in the bedroom as I didn't see them.

Stepping out of the apartment, I closed the door as quietly as possible. Turning, I decided I wasn't going to wait for the elevator. I ran down the steps, taking them two at a time. Once I was back in the lobby, I walked at a fast pace until I was outside.

Looking back as I entered the street, I was relieved to see neither of them were there. I hoped it would take some time before they noticed I was gone. Hailing a cab, I jumped in and gave the driver my address.

My heart was pumping a hundred miles an hour. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I tried to calm the shaking in my hands and legs. The cabby kept glancing at me in the mirror, making me more nervous.

As we rounded the final corner, I spoke up. "Please stop here, thanks."

He pulled up to the curb. Ruff and his owner were outside, walking up the street. I paid the cabby and got out. I was relieved that I wasn't alone. Ruff barked as they came closer. Smiling, I rubbed his head and nodded at the man.

I waited for the cab to be out of sight before walking towards my place. Hearing Ruff barking, I turned to see what was happening. His owner had just entered the house, but he was standing on the porch barking at me.

This was new, I thought as I took out my house keys and waved at the barking dog. Before I could turn back, I felt a hand closing over my mouth and another around my middle. I tried screaming, but my voice was muffled by the big, rough hand.

My keys dropped to the floor as the man lifted me from the ground. He turned and headed to my house as another picked up my keys. There seemed to be four men in black suits. I had never seen them before and didn't know what they wanted from me. The street was empty. Except for Ruff barking, no one saw me being abducted.

The man with my keys unlocked my house, and they all entered. The man holding me whispered as I felt his hands relaxing. "If you scream, we'll be forced to take drastic action, do you understand?"

I nodded, feeling my intestines knotting. My mind was whirling; I didn't know what they wanted or who they were. As the men let go, I quickly moved forward and turned so I could see them.

They all had black suits and hats on. Two of the men were quite large. They were well-built and filled their suits nicely. Another was skinny; his clothes hung on him like bags. And lastly, there was the one who picked me up. He was as big as a full-grown oak tree.

Except for their size difference, they had a similar look about them. Their hair appeared to be equal in length. I felt sure if they removed their hats, they would all have the same cut. Aside from a small cluster of hair on their chins, their faces were clean-shaven.

On their necks, I saw a tattoo. It ran from behind their right ear down into their shirts. The parts I could see were circular, with what appeared to be lightning bolts through them.

Walking backward to my bedroom door, I spoke. My voice cracked as fear settled in my heart and mind. "Wha..., what do…, do you want?"

"The boss wants to see you," the big man stated. "You can come willingly, or we can take you forcefully. The choice is yours."

"Choice?" I spat. "There's no choice in that."

"Is there anything you would like to take? I suggest you get it so we can go." The skinny man added. His voice was extremely high-pitched. It almost sounded like a siren going off.

Shaking my head, I tried to comprehend what was happening. I looked from one man to another, scanning their faces. "Who wants to see me? What's going on here?" I demanded.

"Please don't make this harder than it needs to be," the fat guy said, stepping closer. "If there's nothing you need, we must go."

As he reached out to take hold of my arm, I swung around and opened my bedroom door. Once inside, I shoved the door closed, trying to keep it closed. But the men outside were much stronger than I was. I jumped over the bed, hoping to get out the window.

Falling to the floor on the other side of the bed, I realized there was no way I was getting out. I felt the hands closing around my wrists as two of the men pulled me to my feet. With no other option, I started screaming at the top of my voice.

It all happened so quickly. One moment, I was being pulled to the door. The next moment, I was in the corner of my small home, watching Konstantin fighting. The skinny man didn't stay for the beating. As the others fought, he ran out the door.

I was sure he would be making some calls and getting back up. Konstantin swung right and left; he kicked this one and that one. I was sure there were knives as well and what looked like nun chucks at some point. It didn't take him long to floor them all.

Still shaken and unsure about what I witnessed. I felt his arms closing around me. He picked me up and carried me out. The skinny man was nowhere to be seen. Konstantin placed me in his car, and we drove off. Stunned, shocked, and overwhelmed, I stared out the window, trying to process it all.