Brutal Boss (Bratva Brothers 1)

MIKHAIL

I didn’t intendto involve Madisyn, but the two-bit security for the concierge doesn’t know who I am. I should have his job for trying to force me to leave.

I’m part owner of this establishment, not just a client.

It’s why I’m fuming that Carlos Sanchez shows up for medical attention. There are other hospitals, clinics, physicians he could see elsewhere.

He doesn’t get to tramp on my turf because it’s convenient for him.

“Can you tell him that he needs to leave, or we’ll have to contact the police?” the security guard says to Madisyn.

She’s in her scrubs, her hair slightly disheveled, and she looks exhausted.

Is that my fault? Was she not able to fall back asleep after I left?

“Come on, I’ll walk you outside,” Madisyn says.

I’m not sure why I thought that she’d stand up to the security guard and tell the bastard to leave me alone, that I’m with her. That was naïve. This isn’t her fight. Hell, she doesn’t even know or understand why I’m arguing with Carlos Sanchez.

I shrug out of the guard’s grasp and accompany Madisyn out the front door. The security guard is watching the entire time. She doesn’t need to come out into the cold, and she’s shivering as the automatic doors open and a rush of cold air whips into the atrium.

“Do you want to tell me what is going on?” Madisyn asks.

It’s not a surprise that she has a lot of questions, and I want to talk to her, but I need to know that I can trust her, that she’s loyal and has my back.

“Other than that man doesn’t belong here?”

She offers a weak smile as she steps outside beside me. “Are you okay?”

It’s freezing. The sun is high overhead, but I can see my breath with every exhale I take.

Madisyn must be chilly. She wraps her arms around herself and bounces from one leg to the other to keep warm.

I don’t need her catching a cold because of me.

“Go back inside before you get sick.” I shove my hands into my coat pockets.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to leave before that guard calls the cops,” Madisyn says and glances over her shoulder.

The security guard is still standing in the hallway, watching the exchange between us. Not that he can hear a word of what we’re saying, but he’s probably making sure that I’m leaving. He has a walkie-talkie in his hand, and I’m confident if I don’t keep moving, he’s going to bring in the local police.

I don’t need any more drama or trouble.

There’s no sign of Carlos outside. He probably already caught a ride and left.

“Fine, I’ll go. But Carlos has no business being here. I don’t want him setting foot inside that building again.”

I’m part-owner of the establishment. Don’t I get a say in who we let in through the front door?

“Just deal with it another day. Okay?” Madisyn says. “Whatever is going on, take a walk, chill out.”

“I can’t. One of my men was shot because of that bastard, Carlos.” I’ve tried to keep my temper in check and handle this professionally. I showed up at the concierge center, looking for Madisyn.

I wasn’t expecting to find the cartel hanging out downstairs in the lobby.

There was a firefight between my men and the cartel. I never considered that we’d both show up at the same location to seek treatment.

Going to the hospital is out of the question. One of our guards at the front gate, Ivan, was shot when the cartel threatened our home.

They never made it inside. It was a warning because we’ve been closing in on Carlos. He sent his low-level thugs to exact revenge.

“I need you to come back with me.”

“What? Now?” Madisyn glances behind her at the building. “I have to be back upstairs in twenty minutes.”

Traffic will take us at least that long to get to the compound, not to mention the time it will take to stitch up Ivan.

“Come with me.” It’s not an offer. It’s an order. I grab her arm and bring her toward the awaiting SUV. The vehicle is parked by the front entrance.

Ivan is lying in the back seat. I wanted to bring him in for treatment, but if the cartel is hanging around the medical center, then it isn’t safe for him.

“Get in,” I say. I have my gun on me, and I could threaten her with it if she doesn’t obey.

She senses my urgency and climbs into the back seat.

“He needs to go inside for treatment,” Madisyn says as she climbs onto the bench seat beside him.

“Not with the cartel hanging around. I went in to grab a wheelchair to lug his sorry ass inside, but I ran into Carlos instead.”

I climb into the front seat.

The engine is on. The vehicle is already warm.

I hit the gas, and we jolt forward. I can’t sit around waiting for security or the cops to show up, not with Ivan already losing a lot of blood in the back seat.

“Where are you taking us?” Madisyn asks.

“The compound,” I say and glance in the rearview mirror. There’s no sign of Carlos or the cartel.

She exhales a heavy sigh. “Take off your coat.”

“What?” I ask, glancing back at her.