Page 26 of Bought to Bear Bratva Heir

"You are very brave," I muttered. The light indicating the stairwell was right there, and down just a few flights of stairs was freedom.

I just didn’t know what I was going to do when I got there. I didn’t have my purse or my passport. I couldn’t run. Maybe I could go to the police, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t help. Ilya probably had them in his pocket.

"I am." Alec squeezed my hand in his chubby one. "And don’t worry, I will protect you. That’s why I am coming."

I blinked down at him in shock. "You’re running away with me so you can protect me?" I whispered.

He nodded, completely serious. "Yes, Papa wouldn’t want you out there alone. Bad men are out there."

Yeah, there were bad men in the world. His father might just be the worst of them all, but I didn’t say that to him. Instead, I nodded. "Yes, they are."

"So I am going to look after you; that’s why I brought the 'widges." He pointed to the backpack.

"The what?" I had no clue what he was saying.

"Jam and peanut butter," he said proudly.

I sniffled. Sandwiches. He had been trying to say sandwiches. My son had given so much thought to our escape that he had packed us a lunch.

Chapter Ten

Ilya

My phone kept buzzing in my pocket, making it almost impossible to concentrate on the men in front of me. This meeting was important. I would never have left the penthouse if it wasn’t.

Every time I killed the call without answering, it started up again. Finally, my temper snapped. "Excuse me, gentlemen." Striding towards the door, I froze when I saw the name that had come up on the state-of-the-art screen.

MILLI.

"What is it? Is Alexander okay?" I asked breathlessly. I only ever called him Alec when we were alone. It was my special name for him.

The sound of the young woman sobbing ripped my heart to shreds. A panic so violent it took my breath away lodged in my throat until I couldn’t breathe.

"Milli," I snapped, finally getting a hold of myself. "What has happened? Where is Alec?" I slipped and used his special name. Not that it mattered. I just wanted to know what had happened to make her cry like that.

"Is he hurt? Where are you?" My feet were moving towards the door already. I didn’t give a second thought to the meeting I had left behind; all that mattered was that I get home and find out what had happened.

It was ten o'clock. She was meant to take him out to the park at this time. "Where are you?" I asked again. I needed to know which way you headed.

The sound of my thundering heart was the only sound before she spoke again.

"Home."

"If he is hurt, then call 911. I’m on my way." I kept the line open as I ran. Home was just two blocks away, and it was quicker to sprint there than risk the car in traffic.

If time were running normally, it would have taken just a few minutes, but things hadn’t been normal since yesterday, and time seemed to drag on and on. I was sure at least an hour had passed, maybe even two or three, before I finally came to a stop, panting into my apartment.

Quickly, I swept my eyes around.

Nothing was out of place.

Nothing but the girl who was sobbing and wringing her hands by the window. She turned to me, a look of pure fear on her face. "Mr. Popovitch?"

"Where is he?"

Why was she looking at me like that? With so much panic in her face. Turning on my heel, I sprinted towards the playroom and froze.

There was a door open which should have been shut and locked.