Until the End (Volkov Bratva #2)(15)

Maggie smiled kindly, like she had heard this reason before. “But are you sure this is what you want. I know a lot of students whose parents wanted them to go in a certain direction, but it wasn’t what they really wanted.”

“More than anything.”

Nodding, Maggie made the entry in the computer, then proceeded to go over the course work Lauren would have to complete to graduate on time. A few times Lauren’s eyes widened, but she was more determined than nervous about it all.

It was a rather quick process and by the time it was over, Lauren had a new schedule for the upcoming semester.

Leaving campus again, she paused at the intersection, noticing the man across the street. He had a very distinctive look and it didn’t help that he stood out rather prominently in the sea of smaller men around him.

He didn’t seem to notice that Lauren had spotted him and she didn’t make it a point to alert him of that fact.

She continued on, deciding that she would stop by the café anyway. Occasionally, she would peek behind her to see if he was still there…he was.

Vlad was Mishca’s bodyguard…or something else for the Bratva that she didn’t know the name of. While mostly reserved, the few times they had talked he seemed kind enough, if saying a maximum of ten words on those encounters were anything to judge by, but Lauren had no idea why he was on this side of town now.

At first, she had thought Mishca was somewhere nearby since she had never seen one without the other—unless Mishca was with her—and momentarily panicked thinking that he was going to see her, but she didn’t see him.

Inside the café, Lauren waited the short time in the line and at the register, Lauren ordered her usual while ordering a medium black coffee for Vlad. She didn’t know how he took his, so she just grabbed a few sugar packets and creamers.

Back outside, she headed in his direction, smiling when she noticed him pretending not to notice her. When she was within earshot, she smiled.

“Nice to see you again, Vlad.” She held out the cup to him, nodding when he took it hesitantly. “What can I do for you?”

He shrugged good-naturedly. “I need to talk to you.”

He gestured over to the park where a good number of people were minding their business. Maybe he chose this spot because he knew she wouldn’t go anywhere with him alone.

Seated on the bench, she tried to pass him the sugars, but he declined, taking a long drink of his coffee.

“You did not need to do this,” he said looking down at the cup.

“Thought you might want it since you’ve been following me for…” She trailed off, hoping he would fill in the blanks, but Vlad was too seasoned to fall for that. “I’m assuming because you’re here everyone knows I’m back.” And by everyone she meant Mikhail.

“We knew as soon as you hit the interstate.”

She grimaced, looking away. That was seriously creepy, but she had to stop underestimating the Bratva’s reach.

“So why are you here. Did…did Mishca send you?”

She cast her gaze around, trying to spot his car anywhere in the vicinity, but no luck.

He nodded once. “Mikhail will want to see you.”

That made her blood run cold. “Why?”

“You spoke of a journal, he will want it.”

She had been waiting for this. “Where exactly?”

Vlad looked at her head on, his gaze unwavering. “Wherever you are, he can find you.” He didn’t give her time to fret on that, saying, “I suggest you find somewhere public to be tonight if it will make you more comfortable…though if he wanted, he could kill you still.”

“Right,” she said dryly. “Was that supposed to make me feel better?”

He shrugged again. “Just the truth.”

“Is that what this meeting is about?”

“Nyet. Captain wouldn’t allow it if it were.”

“Good to know.” Did Mishca even have that power? “Was that all you needed with me?”

He nodded, standing and tossing his cup in the trash. He straightened, smoothing the front of his suit jacket. While Mishca wore three piece suits, Vlad had on a black shirt beneath his jacket.

“Take care, Lauren.”

“Vlad?”

He looked back expectantly.

“How is he?” She didn’t have to iterate who she meant.

He seemed to think over his answer. “Lost.”





Before Lauren headed into work, she dropped by her apartment, picking up the journal. As she left—this time taking her car—she felt saddened by the fact that she might not ever see it again. Inside it were her father’s private thoughts and the thought of anyone else reading them bothered her, but she had no choice.

“Good to see you back,” Diego said as he mussed her hair like he always did when she came in.

There were a few new people, a boy named Johnny and a girl with a sleeve of tattoos on the upper part of her right arm. Tara was in the back, trying one of the new deserts when Lauren walked in.

Abandoning it, she rushed over to hug Lauren like she had been gone for years. Sometimes, it felt like it.

“I heard what happened. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” Any other time, those words would have come out evenly, but tonight, with what she might be facing, they were shaky and breathless.