Brutal Boss (Bratva Brothers 1)

Well, aside from Madisyn. That woman is a vixen and had me deceived.

Sergei is lucky he’s dead. If he weren’t, I’d have gutted the bastard for what he did to the family.

I glance at my watch and grab my coat. “Let’s go!” I shout at Luka.

“I thought you were waiting here?” Luka grabs the keys and accompanies me out to the SUV. He unlocks the doors and climbs into the driver’s side to chauffeur me around.

I could drive, but he’s also my bodyguard, and I appreciate the extra set of eyes around to make sure that we’re not being followed. He’s trained to anticipate the unexpected. I know my weaknesses and align myself with men who can keep me from ending up dead.

“I want to see Madisyn’s face when we show up.”

“Fair enough, boss.”

I sit up front with Luka. We pull away from the compound and head across town in the opposite direction of her apartment. At least her rental had been closer, but I’m sure that was intentional while she was working undercover.

There’s plenty of traffic, but we left with enough time to ensure that she hasn’t gotten home from work yet.

Luka has been watching her activity, tailing her daily. She takes the subway, which means she’ll be walking home instead of driving. It gives us time to pull up alongside her before she heads into her building.

We turn the corner, passing the subway station, and I catch sight of her bright red coat first, with her long vanilla locks halfway down her back.

The girl should be wearing a hat and scarf.

He slows the SUV to a crawl as we come up alongside Madisyn. I press the silver button, and the window rolls down.

She’s shivering from the chill in the air. One glance in my direction, and her gloved hands are balled into fists. Madisyn exhales a heavy sigh, and her breath hangs in the air. “What do you want, Mikhail?”

The way she says my name makes my cock stir in my trousers. I shouldn’t be this hellbent on one girl, but she’s got me tied up inside, and I need to unravel the knot.

“Get in,” I say, my tone firm and not the least bit friendly.

She glances from me to her building.

Is she trying to decide if she can run and make it inside before I catch her?

She stops walking, and Luka hits the brakes. The chilly air seeps into the vehicle, and I’m grateful when Luka blasts the heat.

Madisyn doesn’t step any closer. “What do you want?” she asks and folds her arms across her chest. Her black leather gloves stand out amongst her bright red wool coat.

“I want you to get into the vehicle.”

She glances around outside. It’s growing dark, and there aren’t any other pedestrians on the street.

Is she looking for someone to help?

After a moment, she shuffles near the SUV and pulls open the back door.

“That was easier than I thought,” I mutter as she slams the door shut.

I shut the window. The heat begins to fill the void, warming the SUV once again. I shift around in my seat to face her.

Luka pulls the vehicle away from the curb and heads back to the compound.

“How are you?” I ask. I’ve wondered how she’s been after what happened with the cartel. I’m grateful to Luka for getting her out before the raid. However, she is responsible for bringing in the Feds during the fight.

It was probably for the best, keeping me from having to kill a federal agent, well, an ex-agent at this point. He’s in prison awaiting trial. It’s been all over the news these past few weeks.

She laughs under her breath. “You didn’t ask me to come to sit in the back seat so that you can see how I’m doing.”

Madisyn is smart. I never gave her enough credit before.

“How’s Aaron?” I ask with a wry grin.

“I haven’t spoken with him, but he’s behind bars. Just like you should be.”

“Ouch.” I pretend to be hurt by her remark. “You don’t want to see me arrested.” I’d like to think that I’ve managed to lull my way past her cool exterior. It’s a front, a show that she has to put on because of her job.

Her gaze tightens, and she tilts her head slightly. “You do seem to have the uncanny ability to avoid prosecution.”

“That’s because there’s no evidence.”

She exhales a soft breath and secures her seatbelt. “Where are you taking me? If you intend on killing me, I’d prefer to at least have the opportunity to let my dog out and leave him with a neighbor.”

“She doesn’t have a dog,” Luka says.

“I could have a dog,” Madisyn quips. She leans forward. “You’ve been spying on me?”

“He’s been making sure that you’re safe and the cartel leaves you alone, on my orders.” I don’t want her jumping down Luka’s throat. He doesn’t deserve her wrath. If she wants to be angry with anyone, she can take her frustration out on me.

“I have my badge and a gun. I am an FBI agent, in case you’ve forgotten,” Madisyn says.

My jaw clenches, and I grit my teeth. “I haven’t forgotten.” She has the uncanny ability to get under my skin. I want to teach her a lesson and make her beg for my forgiveness for what she did, her betrayal.

I exhale a long, slow breath. “Why did you get into the vehicle if you think we’re going to kill you?”

She scoots back in the seat, making herself comfortable. Her shoulders relax, and she presses her lips together. But she doesn’t answer.

Does Madisyn believe that I’m going to hurt her?