9. 2
A fter landing in Colombia, we were loaded onto trucks and driven to our next location where speedboats were waiting to take us up the coast to Necoclí. It has been the most grueling, intense nine hours of my life. Our family is sharing a boat with the Medvedev family, while the other three trail right behind us, filled with men and extra supplies. The drivers know the path well, using the moon and navigation systems to take us along the coastline so we can keep the lights off.
I lean closer so Niki can hear me. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” He grips the waterproof case his laptop is in, and despite the worry I see on his face, he’s not showing any signs of fear. He has a gun, and he’ll be staying on the boat with three armed men. He’s as safe as I can possibly make him given the circumstances.
“We’ll have your brother back in less than two hours,” I tell him.
He nods, just as ready for this to be over with as I am.
“How you holding up, Tony?”
I turn at the sound of Vitaly’s voice, and can’t help but give a soft laugh when I see my brother smack Tony on the back. The young doctor is in tactical gear, and I know the bulletproof vest must be providing at least a little comfort. Tony isn’t a soldier. His part in the Alessi Mafia doesn’t involve tearing men apart. His job is purely to put people back together. He’s completely out of his element, but he’s embracing this new change in his job description with the same kind of focus and determination that he uses for everything he does.
Tony smiles at my brother and shrugs his shoulders. “So far it’s easier than med school,” he hollers over the sound of the motor and wind.
Vitaly laughs and turns his attention to Vasily’s sons. Bran and Dima are deep in conversation, hands moving so quickly that I’m amazed they can each keep up with what the other is saying. Bran’s rifle is in a hard-shell case at his feet. It hasn’t left his side during the entire trip, including the flight out here. It’s always within reaching distance of him. He signs one more thing to his brother before leaning down and opening the case.
“Goddamn,” Vitaly mutters, scooting to the edge of his seat so he can see the dismantled pieces of Bran’s sniper rifle. Each piece of the rifle is secure in the foam cut-outs, and when he starts assembling the pieces, his movements are sure and quick. It’s obvious he’s been doing this for years and is well acquainted with every inch of this beautiful weapon.
“Is that an Accuracy International AXMC?” Lev asks from his seat.
Dima looks over at us and grins. “It is. He’s had a lot of modifications done to it. This gun is his fucking baby.”
I can hear the pride in his voice when he talks about his brother, and it reminds me of my own sons and how they interact with one another. It also raises Vasily up in my estimation. He’s obviously not a shit father, and that’s something my brothers and I respect the hell out of. Our parents were assholes, and after we left Russia, we never looked back. We always swore we’d never end up like them. Family is everything to us, and judging by what I’ve seen, the Medvedev brothers feel the same way.
Dima pushes a button on his watch, checking the time before waving his hand in Bran’s periphery to get his brother’s attention instead of startling the hell out of him with a smack on the back. Bran looks up, nodding at whatever Dima signs to him and then goes back to assembling his weapon. When Dima starts checking a small device that’s clipped to his belt, curiosity gets the better of my brother.
Vitaly leans forward and points, because he truly has no manners. “What is that thing?”
Dima holds up the device and signs the question to Bran, who then slips off one of the black gloves he’s wearing and pulls up the sleeve of his shirt. There isn’t enough light to see what he’s trying to show us, so Dima points at his brother’s wrist and says, “He has sensors on his body. They’re wireless patches that I can send messages to.”
He holds the device he’s wearing up again, and says, “I can type a message, and depending on what that message is, it’ll vibrate on one of the patches Bran is wearing, relaying the information instantly to him. For example, when it’s time for him to head back to the boat, the patch on his right shoulder will vibrate.”
“No fucking shit?” Vitaly asks, completely in awe of this technology, and then because he is who he is, he can’t help but ask, “Those are small, vibrating sensors? Can you put them anywhere on your body?” He laughs and nudges Lev’s arm. “This mission could be a whole lot more enjoyable.”
Bran waits for Dima to translate since it’s too dark for him to read lips. I watch him smirk before he signs something back. Dima laughs and says, “He said the sensors are only about the size of a quarter.”
“Well, that’ll work for you, right?” Lev says, grinning at our brother. “Maybe when you’re good and ready, you could bump it up to seventy-five cents.”
“Oh, fuck you,” Vitaly says with a laugh. “I’ve never covered my dick in quarters, but I’ve gotta be good for at least five dollars.”
We all laugh, and Bran grins when his brother signs what’s been said.
Vitaly keeps going and nudges Val’s arm. “I recently saw my son. Put him down for seven-fifty.”
We all laugh, glad for the break in tension while Bran attaches the last few pieces to his rifle. He checks it in a loving way, confirming what his brother had said about it being his baby. There’s a reverence to his actions. He loves this gun and treats it with an obvious respect. When he’s satisfied, he signs something to his brother. Dima laughs and then puts a finger to his lips in the universal sign for quiet before seamlessly transitioning his hands to make what looks like horns on his head. He gives a soft laugh and gently smacks his brother’s arm.
“What does that mean?” Vitaly asks. My brother’s never been good at hiding his curiosity. He’s the nosiest motherfucker I’ve ever met, and he’s even more intrigued with Bran now after hearing about the sensors.
Dima smiles and does the sign again. “ Tikhiy D’yavol. ”
Vitaly smiles and says in English, “Silent Devil. Well, it fits him, I guess.”
“It does,” Dima agrees. “No one knows Bran is around until the bullet hits them.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing this,” Vitaly says with a grin.
Dima translates for his brother, who then looks over at my brother and gives him a nod. Bran is a closed book. Even when he signs, there’s a restraint to him. He keeps himself closed off. I’ve seen deaf people sign before, and they’re way more animated. Bran is much more subdued. His facial expressions aren’t exaggerated, he doesn’t mouth words—he’s just silent. I’ve caught him smiling or laughing at something his brother has signed, but other than that, the man is unreadable.
Like Vitaly, I’m intrigued, but unlike Vitaly, I’m not going to pepper him with a million questions that are none of my goddamn business.
“Ten minutes,” Vasily calls out, and we all take the last few minutes to check weapons and make sure everything is ready to go.
I’m already prepared, so I do a quick check and then put my focus on my youngest son. His hair is wet from the spray of water, and despite the worry and stress of the last six weeks, he still looks every bit like the seventeen-year-old that he is. A wave of guilt hits me. He should be at home playing video games with his friends or out on a date, not racing up the Colombian coastline to one of the most dangerous cartels in the world to help rescue his brother.
“Stop looking like that,” he says, raising his voice so I can hear.
“Like what?”
“Guilty,” he says, making me smile at how easily he can read me. “I wanted to come,” he reminds me. “I volunteered. Now, stop worrying and check your earpiece.”
I laugh and do as he says. We’re using a mesh network, each of us equipped with a small radio transceiver so we can be in constant communication while also allowing Niki to disable the cartel's radios, cameras, and electricity. They’ll be left blind, and while the others take out as many of them as they can, Val and I will be leading a small team in to get Max. The plan is to ruin the Amaya family and to leave their compound in ruins.
The motors slow as we get closer, allowing us to ease in quietly. The landing spot we agreed on is far enough away to not draw immediate attention, and as soon as we let Niki know everything is secure, they’ll pull around to the main beach so we won’t have to carry Max longer than necessary.
Easing us closer to the shore, the other boats follow in behind us. Niki opens his laptop case and starts setting up his equipment, his movements just as quick and skilled as Bran’s had been with his weapon, and a surge of pride runs through me at the sight of my son providing such an integral part to our mission. I ruffle his hair before putting the military-grade helmet on his head, tapping it when he rolls his eyes at me.
“It’s bulletproof,” I tell him. “Don’t you dare take it off.”
“I won’t,” he mutters, already putting his focus back on his screen. His fingers fly across the keyboard as I turn back to look at the others. The Medvedevs are signing a conversation with one another while my family gets ready on the other side of the boat. As soon as I’m close enough, Matvey nudges my shoulder.
“Won’t be long now,” he tells me.
I nod and watch Tony slip the backpack he’d loaded up with emergency supplies onto his shoulder. He’s armed, but we’ll be shielding him so he can keep his hands free. Dominic has a quick word with his cousins while I meet my brothers’ eyes and my nephews scoot in closer.
Roman looks at us one by one before saying, “Every last one of us is getting out of here alive. Understood?”
We all nod, knowing it’s the only outcome we’ll allow.
“We’re getting Max, and then we’re getting the fuck out of here,” Lev says, and before Sasha can say anything, he looks at his son and adds, “And we’re wiping out their entire fucking cartel.”
Sasha grins, looking every bit like a kid in a candy store. It’s the first time he’s ever been given true freedom to do whatever the hell he wants to as many people as he wants. He’s usually brought in to torture or kill specific people but never like this, and the excitement bubbling off him is a fucking tangible thing. It mixes with the humidity and jungle noises that pour out of the dense forest in front of us.
Lev wraps an arm around his son’s shoulders. “Do your worst, Sasha, but don’t you dare get hurt. Your mom will fucking kill me if you come back with so much as a scratch.”
Sasha pulls the skull mask he loves from his back pocket and slips it on the top of his head, letting it rest there. I see two handguns strapped to his body, and I’m guessing there’s at least one more hidden away somewhere. The rest of his weapons are knives. His favorite is strapped to his thigh for easy access and because the blade is too long to comfortably put it anywhere else. He has another sheathed horizontally along his lower back, one on his forearm, and just in case he didn’t already have enough, he has two large blades mounted upside down on his Kevlar vest. Sasha is out to have some fun tonight.
Niki’s voice pulls all our attention over to him. “I’m in. I’ve disabled their security system, and I’m looping the security cameras. When you give me the signal, I’ll cut their power and jam their signals.”
“Nice work, son,” I tell him, and then I turn to the others. “Let’s go get Max and Talia the fuck out of here.”
I give my youngest one last look before getting off the boat with the others. When everyone is standing on the beach, three of our men take up position in the boat with Niki. I know they’ll guard him with their lives, and the local who’s driving the boat is under strict orders to get the fuck out of here if everything goes to shit. I’ve already told our guys to get Niki back to the plane and fly him home if it comes to that. I won’t leave Simona alone. The very least I can do is ensure that one of us survives and gets back to her.
Vasily signs something to his son right before Bran takes off down the beach, disappearing into the dark jungle without a sound. There’s an elevated ridge near the compound that he’s already picked out as the ideal spot for him to set up. Thermal imaging shows that this area is empty, for now at least. The majority of Lorenzo’s men are patrolling the compound or stationed around the makeshift runway that Val was flown out from.
For now, no one knows we’re here, but that’s all about to go to shit. As soon as we start killing, all hell is going to break loose.
“Jesus,” I hear Luka say before giving a soft laugh. I follow his gaze to see Sasha and Volodya deep in conversation, both of them holding out a knife as if it’s fucking show-and-tell time. Volodya grins at something Sasha says and then takes the knife he offers. Misha and Yuri join them as their dad examines the blade. Volodya gives a nod of approval before handing it back, and Misha says something that has all four of their psychotic asses grinning. Sasha slides it back into the sheath on his thigh and points off to his left. He already has a plan in place. It’s a simple one that involves him killing as many people as he can. He’s on a mission tonight, and he couldn’t be happier about it.
Dima looks at his wrist and says, “Bran will be in position in fifteen minutes.”
Vasily comes to stand by Val and me. “My son will give us cover fire. Volodya and his sons are heading out with Sasha, and Valeri and his son will be with us.”
Vitaly hears him and watches Sasha pull his skull mask low before giving a nod to his dad and then disappearing into the dark with the others right behind him. They all ignore their guns and instead have knives in hand. Dario looks like he really wants to join them, but he’s assigned to our group, so he stays put while Vitaly shakes his head and says, “I guess every family has one.”
“You mean a complete nutcase who enjoys killing way too much?” Valeri asks.
“Yep,” Vitaly says. “One of those.” He laughs and adds, “Or three, in your case.”
“Oh, let them have their fun,” Lev says. “Just think about how happy it’ll make them.”
“It really will,” Luka agrees. “Sasha’s been downright giddy for days about this.”
“All right, let’s get into position so Niki can cut the power,” Roman says while checking the thermal imaging to make sure we’re still alone. He adjusts his earpiece and motions for Timofey to take his team and start circling around. Dominic gives the command for his men to take the other side, and the rest of us start the walk to the main house where Max is being held.
From right behind me I hear Vitaly tell Vitya, “Don’t you dare get shot. My daughter will never let me hear the end of it.”
“Wasn’t planning on it,” Vitya says, “but it’s so sweet that you care.”
“You carry snacks, Vitya,” my brother says. “It’s very important you stay alive.”
Vitya gives a soft laugh, knowing his father-in-law loves him but is too damn proud to admit it. Valeri overhears their conversation and looks over at them. “You have snacks?”
Vitya groans while Vasily smacks his brother’s arm and says. “If we survive this, I’m sure he’ll share his food later.”
If I wasn’t sure of everyone’s ability, I’d be worried right now, but I know they’re highly trained and just fucking around to relieve stress. All that fades away as the mansion comes into view. Tension replaces the lightheartedness from just moments ago, and when we stop outside the perimeter, I give Niki the message to shut it all down. In seconds, the large, lit-up house goes dark along with the security lights surrounding the property. We switch to night vision goggles and stay low, following Val around to the side of the house. Switching to thermal imaging, I see two figures coming towards us, and motion for the others to stop. The men are still too far away to see without the goggles, but when the others switch their night vision over to thermal, Dario immediately scoots up beside me, indicating that he’ll take the man on the right. I nod and creep along the brush while he fans out to cover the other side.
Dario’s voice is a whisper through the earpiece I’m wearing when he says, “They’re not wearing Kevlar. Chest and neck are exposed. AR-15s in slings, but a loose grip. They’re not expecting trouble.”
Since they haven’t heard any gunshots and the security cameras are set to loop footage, they must assume the power outage isn’t a breach. I’m guessing all that will change in the next few minutes. My fingers tighten around the grip of my knife, adrenaline coursing through me while I watch them through my goggles. The soft, indistinct sounds of Spanish drift closer, and as soon as they’re close enough, Dario whispers, “Now,” right before we both jump out, taking the men by surprise.
Before he can fire off a bullet or scream for help, I clamp a hand over his mouth and sink my blade across his neck, severing the carotid on both sides, leaving a gaping wound that’ll kill him in less than a minute. It’s a messy death, covering us both in blood within seconds as he loses consciousness and goes limp in my arms. He’s nothing but dead weight when I toss his body in the small ditch next to the man Dario took out.
“Let’s go,” I tell the others. They hear me in their earpieces and are already heading towards the house when Dario and I join back up with them. The thermal imaging shows several more bodies getting closer, and the mansion is filled with them. We get about ten more seconds of peace before gunshots start going off around us. The unmistakeable crack from Bran’s sniper rifle joins in the chaos, and when I look to the group that was coming up on our right, all their heat signatures are now lying on the ground.
“Goddamn,” Vitaly mutters from beside me, but I barely hear him over the continued gunfire.
“This way,” Val yells, leading us around the mansion and to the side door they’d used to release him. We have to stop and shoot several guards, but when we get there, it’s unlocked and no alarm goes off thanks to Niki.
The power is still off, and as soon as we start down the hall someone fires on us. Dario shields Tony, protecting the doctor while Val, Luka, and Vasily return fire. When it’s safe, we start walking again. Keeping an eye behind us, I make sure no one can sneak up on us, but when I tap the button on my goggles to switch back to thermal, I don’t see any heat signatures.
Rapid gunfire echoes through the massive house, but none of it is directed at us, and we manage to make it down to the next level without any interference. The halls feel labyrinthine in the dark, but Val doesn’t waver, directing us through lefts and rights until we’re finally at the basement door.
“Go,” Matvey tells me. “I’ll watch the back.”
He and Lev take my place so I can be at the head of the line. I’ve never once allowed myself to think that this might be a body retrieval mission instead of a rescue, but now it’s all I can think about. I’m terrified to tap the button on my goggles, scared to death that I won’t see anyone alive beyond this door.
“Two live bodies inside,” Val says, and the relief in his voice mirrors exactly how I feel, but then he adds, “One dead,” and I swear my knees nearly buckle right in the middle of this tacky goddamn mansion.
“I’m going in,” I say, grabbing the handle and opening the door. The others stay at my side, scanning the room to make sure it really is clear, but I can’t take my eyes off the sight in front of me. Max is laid out, and if it wasn’t for his heat signature showing up, I’d swear he was dead. He’s unconscious, and I feel like I can’t breathe. I walk closer, surprised to see a tiny scrap of a girl positioning herself in front of my son. She has a knife in her hand, and despite the fact that she’s clearly not trained to use it, I can tell she’s not going to let that stop her from trying. The room is pitch-fucking-black, but she heard the door open, and she knows she’s no longer alone.
“Don’t you dare come any closer!” she yells at me. Her voice shakes, but there’s a determination in it that makes it clear she’s willing to fight to the death to try and protect my son. I immediately like her.
I hold up my hands, even though she can’t see me, and say in as calm of a voice as I can manage, “He’s my son.”
“Talia?” Vasily says, and when she hears her dad’s voice, she starts crying, but she refuses to take her hand off my son’s chest.
“He needs help,” she cries.
I kneel down by my son and use the mic in my earpiece to say, “Niki, you hear me?”
“I’m here,” is his immediate response.
“I’m with Max. He’s alive. I need you to turn the power back on in the mansion.”
“Thank fuck,” I hear him whisper.