Deadly Vows (Avilov Bratva #2)

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Talia

I never imagined my life would lead to this moment, huddled with Sasha and Maxim in the back of a windowless van, the cold metal floor biting through our clothes. Sasha and Maxim’s wide, terrified eyes reflected my own anxiety, creating a silent chorus of dread. Just hours ago, we were at the park enjoying a crisp autumn afternoon in New York. The sound of children’s laughter and the vibrant colors of fallen leaves were painting a perfect scene. But in an instant, everything had changed.

It all started innocently enough, with the children and I waiting in line to ride the carousel. Lev had escorted Olga to the restrooms, leaving Josh behind to guard us. I noticed a husky man lurking near the carousel as we waited. At first, I tried to dismiss the chill creeping up my spine, attributing it to the brisk autumn air, but his presence was unmistakable. His predatory eyes fixed on us with a frightening intensity.

I looked toward the picnic tables to get Josh’s attention, but to my surprise he wasn’t there. A quick scan of the area determined he was nowhere to be found. My heart pounded with anxiety as my fight-or-flight instinct kicked in. I grabbed the children’s hands, leading them away from the carousel, my mind racing.

“What’s wrong?” Maxim questioned, reacting to my panicked expression, his voice trembling slightly.

“A creepy man is watching us, and Josh has disappeared. Let’s go find Olga and Lev,” I replied, trying to stay calm. Sasha gripped my hand tightly, her tiny feet moving as fast as possible to keep up with my quick stride.

Maxim looked around nervously, his eyes darting back and forth, trying to spot the man. “Is it the man that hurt you? The one I heard Uncle talking about?” he asked, his voice tinged with alarm.

“No,” I assured him, though my fear grew by the second. “But something isn’t right. Josh wouldn’t have taken off, leaving us alone. It’s best if we get to Olga and Lev.”

We continued to wind through the park, the colorful leaves crunching beneath our feet. Every step felt like an eternity. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the man was still following us like a dark shadow creeping closer. My palms began to sweat. The restrooms were close, I could see the building up ahead. We were almost there, almost safe.

But then, movement behind the trees in front of us grabbed my attention. My mind was screaming to run, but it was too late. Vic, the man that killed Aleksandr’s brother Mikhail, and his accomplice stepped out from behind the trees, blocking our path. The sinister gleam of their guns caught the autumn sunlight, casting eerie reflections on their faces. The husky man that had been following us moved in behind, pulling a gun from the waistband of his pants, his eyes cold and calculating.

Instinctively, I pulled the children to my sides, holding them close. Sasha clung to me, her tiny body trembling like a leaf in the wind. Maxim, however, pulled away from me, squaring his shoulders and looking Vic directly in the eyes with a defiant glare.

“What do you want from us?” Maxim demanded, his voice steady despite the fear I knew he must be feeling. He stood tall, trying to shield me with his slight frame and bravery.

“You’re brave, taking that tone with a man holding a gun. What’s your name?” Vic questioned, narrowing his eyes as he studied Maxim, his voice dripping with malevolence.

“Maxim Avilov,” he replied, his voice unwavering.

“Hmm,” Vic mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, a cruel smile on his lips. “This is interesting.” An evil grin spread across his face as his beady eyes looked me over, savoring the moment.

“I was only going to take you, Talia. A personal prize of sorts. But now, I’ll take these two brats with us as well. Aleksandr will surely agree to meet me unarmed to save them. And then I’ll put a bullet in his brain,” Vic declared, his voice dripping with malice.

“No!” Maxim cried out, lunging at Vic with all the fury of a cornered lion. “I won’t let you hurt him!”

“Maxim!” I screamed, grabbing hold of his jacket and pulling him back into my side. Sasha’s quiet sobs made my heart ache with helplessness. “Aleksandr’s men will be looking for us, Vic. You better leave before they get here,” I warned, trying to keep my voice as steady as possible despite the terror gripping my heart.

“I wouldn’t worry about them. One of them is already dead. The other is babysitting the old lady, and we’ll be long gone before he figures out you’re missing. Now move,” he growled, approaching us with a menacing glare. The other two men flanked us, concealing their guns but ready to use them at a moment’s notice.

I wanted to scream for help, to draw the attention of the park’s visitors, but the fear of Vic hurting the children kept me silent. My mind raced with ways to escape or to have the children escape, but every scenario seemed too dangerous. As we approached a crowd of people near the carousel, Vic pressed the barrel of his gun into my back.

“If you make one sound or try to run, I’ll kill you and then the kids,” he threatened, his voice a chilling whisper in my ear.

We moved silently through the park. Every step took us further from safety. My heart pounded with a desperate hope that somehow, some way, we would find a way out of this nightmare.

He herded us into this van with the brutal efficiency of a wolf corralling sheep. “Stay close to me,” I whispered. “We’re going to be okay. I promise.”

Vic sat in the front with one of his men, the low rumble of their conversation barely audible over the engine’s growl. He hadn’t meant to take the kids. They were collateral damage, a means to an end. Aleksandr was his real target, and they were the bait. As for me…I don’t even want to think about what his plans are.

The van jolted as we turned off the main road, the city noises fading into silence. I strained to hear any clues about our destination, but there was only the oppressive hum of the van. I had to think of a plan to get us out of this.

“I’m scared,” Sasha whispered, her fingers digging into my arm.

“I know, sweetheart,” I said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “But we need to be brave right now. Can you do that for me? Can you be brave?”

Sasha nodded, her green eyes shining with unshed tears. Maxim held my other hand tightly, his silence more telling than any words. He was trying to be strong for me, a bravery that broke and fortified my heart.

My mind raced, searching for a way out. The van was empty except for us. Vic had taken my phone, and there was nothing to use as a weapon. We were completely at his mercy.

As the van slowed and finally stopped, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. “Listen to me,” I said, turning to the kids. “When they open the doors, I need you to hide behind me, okay? Don’t let go of my hands.”

Their nods were the only response I needed. The back doors swung open, and bright light flooded the van.

“Get out,” Vic ordered, waving the gun to emphasize his command.

I shielded Sasha and Maxim with my body as we climbed out. The sight that greeted us was grim. It was an abandoned house with the windows boarded up and the paint peeling. To make matters worse were in the middle of nowhere.

“Inside,” Vic barked, shoving us toward the house. His accomplices followed close behind, guns drawn.

The interior of the house was just as bleak as the exterior. Dust and decay filled the air, and the faint light seeping through the cracks created long shadows on the floor. Vic pushed us into a small room without furniture except for a rickety table and a few chairs.

“Sit,” he commanded.

I guided the kids to the chairs, positioning myself between them and our captors. Vic’s eyes were dark, filled with a twisted satisfaction. He enjoyed our fear and reveled in our helplessness.

“What do you want, Vic?” I asked.

He smirked, leaning against the wall. “You know exactly what I want, Talia. Aleksandr. He’s caused me enough trouble, and now he will pay.”

“You don’t need the kids,” I said, strengthening my voice. “Let them go. You have me.”

Vic’s laughter was cold, devoid of any humor. “Nice try, but no. They’re the perfect bait. Aleksandr will come for them, and when he does, I’ll be ready.”

Sasha choked on a sob, the sound of it tearing at my heart. Maxim reached over to hold her hand, his face set in a determined scowl. I had to get them out of here.

“Please,” I begged. “They’re just children. They don’t deserve this.”

Vic’s accomplices shifted uneasily, their grips on their guns tightening. But Vic was unmoved. “Save your breath, Talia. There’s no way out of this.”

He was wrong. There had to be a way. I couldn’t let the children become pawns in this deadly game. I had to find a way to protect them, myself, and my baby.