Finding Rosie

Chapter one | Fuck it

☠︎︎Azrael☠︎︎

I stepped off my private jet and walked towards the waiting black SUV.

Sliding into the back seat, I settled in for the long ride ahead.

The valet placed my bag in the truck of the car.

"завести машину" I ordered the driver, sharply. (Start the car)

Lev, my bodyguard who came with me, got into another car to head to his house.

Ever since I left Jennifer and Michael's house, I've felt an unsettling sensation gnawing at me.

The situation with my father and the business is suffocating me.

Staying in L.A. helped me win the Cosa Nostra, but my business here has crumbled.

Finding time to fly in just for the dinner Jennifer planned wasn't easy.

Running my fingers through my hair, I pulled my phone out of my slacks pocket and opened my messages.

I texted Alexander, telling him to send one of his club girls to my place.

I need a distraction.

Shoving the phone back into my pocket, I leaned back to stare out the window.

Rain pelted down, trees swaying violently in the wind.

My eyes landed on a group of teenage boys gathered around something.

I looked away, but an inexplicable urge made me want to stop the car.

Shaking my head, I searched for my lighter to light a cigarette.

Fuck it.

"Останови машину," I commanded. (Stop the car)

The driver, whose name I'd forgotten, obeyed.

Stepping out, I walked towards the boys, hearing their laughter and insults.

I jogged over, drawing my gun from the holster at my waist, and snapped, "Тебя никто не учил манерам?" (Did no one ever teach you any manners?)

The color drained from their faces, and they scattered.

Approaching the corner where they had been standing, my heart clenched.

There, on the cold ground, lay a girl, shivering in nothing but a dirty, torn t-shirt.

Her eyes were closed, her lips trembling from the cold Russian weather.

I put the gun back in the holster and bent down to pick her up bridal style.

Her hands immediately clenched my shirt. Бог, she felt weightless. (God)

I walked back to the car and sat with her still in my arms.

"Bo-"

"Drive!" I said, and he immediately jumped back in, started the engine, and took off.

I leaned my head back against the seat, holding the girl closer to my chest.

She is so fragile and underweight.

"Позвони Льву и скажи ему, чтобы он позвонил Роману."
(Call Lev and tell him to call Roman)

Roman is my personal doctor, in his early fifties. I have another one for my men, but I forgot his name.

"Drive faster," I ordered.

There's still a long way to go, and I need to get this girl checked before I let her go. She stirred, letting out a soft whimper.