Free Bought by the Russian Mobster by Bella Rose

peeking out to see Vladimir’s car roar down the street.
    The parking in front of the corner market was tight. Vladimir didn’t appear to care. He double-parked and got out of his car. The arrogance of him was shocking. It was as though he truly thought he was the boss of the Pasternaks, which meant he could do whatever he wanted.
    “Sir?” A woman stood beside the car he’d blocked in, looking aghast. “I need to get my car out.”
    He gave her a dismissive snort. “You can wait.”
    “But, sir!”
    Vladimir strode into the store through the exit. He shoved the door open, sending a customer flying.
    “Come on,” Nicolai whispered. “We need to see what he’s up to.”
    She tugged against him, trying to pull him back toward the wall. “You’re as crazy as he is!”
    “It’s all right, Lily.” He winked at her. “I’ll keep you safe.”
    She followed, but only because she was curious. They crossed the alley beside the market and went in through the back entrance. Vladimir already had the store in a complete uproar.
    “Where is she?” His words rolled through the aisles like thunder.
    Customers stopped and stared. The clerks gazed at each other with looks of obvious helplessness on their faces.
    “That’s right!” He had pitched his voice to carry. “You’re all waiting for me ! My name is Vladimir Pasternak. I’m looking for a woman who is my property. She’s about this height”—he held his hand up to where Lily’s head would be if she were standing beside him—“and her hair is blond. She is quiet and unassuming and if anyone here has seen her I want to know it. Now !”
    “Sir?” One of the clerks was giving a half-hearted wave. “I saw your woman a few minutes ago. She was standing outside with another man.”
    “What man?” Vladimir roared.
    The clerk shared a glance with one of his coworkers. “Well, he looked like you, sir.”
    “Nicolai.” The obvious fury in Vladimir’s gaze made Lily tremble.
    “Time to go,” Nicolai whispered.
    They quickly exited the store the same way they’d gone in. Once they were back in the alley, Nicolai ran to the mouth of the narrow space and looked out. She followed closely, not wanting to lose track of him. By peeking around Nicolai’s back, she could just barely see the front of the store.
    Vladimir stalked outside. He shoved his way through a cluster of shoppers. Some of them fell down. He obviously didn’t care. But when he arrived back at the spot where he had left his car, there was a tow truck already lifting his vehicle off the ground.
    “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Vladimir demanded.
    The guy gave Vladimir an insolent once-over. “You’re illegally parked.”
    “I’m here now. Drop it and get the fuck out of here.”
    The man had the audacity to laugh. “Sorry, but that’s not how it works. You can come get your car at the impound lot. I’ve got a card with the info for you.”
    Vladimir pulled his gun from its holster in the small of his back. He leveled the barrel at the tow-truck driver. “Put my car down. Now.”
    Lily squeezed her eyes shut. She could hardly stand to see what happened next. Then she heard a car. It came to a stop behind them. Nicolai plucked her right off her feet and ran to the car while carrying her like a sack of flour. She didn’t care. Seconds later they were driving away from the market and Vladimir’s wrath.
    ***
    Nicolai closed all of the blinds and double-checked the locks. This safe house was a simple affair. He had purchased the building several years ago under the guise of a dummy corporation. He had renovated it, and then used the ground-floor apartment when he needed a place to lay low for a while. Two of his father’s enforcers rented the top floor from him. The furnishings were sparse and masculine. He hoped she would be comfortable enough here.
    Nicolai offered Lily what he hoped was an encouraging smile. “This house wasn’t exactly built to be secure. Anatoly will