Chapter 32 Cassian
CASSIAN
Declan walks into my office without knocking. I’m reviewing contracts for the real estate deal Julian and I are building when he drops a folder on my desk.
“We have a problem.”
I look up. His face is grim.
“What kind of problem?”
“Three of our informants in Brighton Beach reported the same thing this week. Petrov soldiers have been in the area.”
Brighton Beach. Russian territory. The Petrovs’ stronghold.
“Doing what?”
“Watching. Not causing trouble, not making moves. Just observing.”
“Observing what?”
Declan pulls out photos from the folder.
Surveillance shots. Grainy but clear enough.
Men in dark clothes standing on street corners, sitting in cars, loitering outside buildings.
“Your routes. The places you go regularly.” He taps one photo.
“This was taken outside the building where your boys had their school physicals.”
My blood runs cold. “When?”
“Tuesday. He was there for three hours. Just watching.”
I flip through the other photos. Different locations. Different days. But the same pattern. Men watching my life.
“They’re building a profile,” Declan says. “Mapping your movements. Your routines. Looking for patterns.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“At least two weeks that we know of. Could be longer.”
“And you’re just telling me now?”
“We only connected the reports yesterday. Each informant gave us separate pieces. It took time to realize they were all seeing the same operation.”
I set down the photos. “What else?”
“Yesterday, one of them was in your neighborhood bar. Asked the bartender if you come in alone or if you bring anyone with you. Specifically asked about family.”
The word hits like a punch.
Family.
They know I have sons. They’re looking for vulnerabilities. For leverage.
“How much do they know?”
“Unknown. But they’re digging. And they’re being careful about it. Using different people for different locations. Keeping it quiet. This isn’t random curiosity. This is planned surveillance.”
I stand up and walk to the windows. The city spreads out below, millions of people living their lives with no idea what’s happening in the shadows.
The Petrovs have been quiet for six years. Since I killed Dmitri. Since his family swore vengeance and then did nothing.
Six years of silence. And now they’re moving again.
“Why now?” I ask.
“Could be they finally feel strong enough to retaliate. Could be they heard about your sons and see an opportunity. Could be something else entirely. We don’t know yet.”
“Find out.”
“I’m already on it. But, Cass, if they’re targeting your family—”
“I know.” I turn back to face him. “Increase security on all my properties. Double the men on rotation. I want someone watching every entrance, every exit. And I want surveillance on anyone who gets within a block of my sons.”
“Done. What about the Vances?”
The question I’ve been dreading.
Aurelia and the boys are at the estate. Julian’s security is good, but if the Petrovs are planning something serious, good might not be enough.
I pull out my phone and call Julian.
He answers on the second ring. “Rourke.”
“We need to talk. Now. Are you at the office?”
“Home. Why?”
“The Petrovs are active again. I’m coming to you.” I hang up before he can respond.
Twenty minutes later I’m at the Vance estate. Julian meets me in his study. Closes the door. “Talk.”
I explain everything. The surveillance. The questions about family. The fact that they’ve been mapping my life for at least two weeks.
Julian listens without interrupting. When I finish, his jaw is tight. “You think they’re planning to move on Aurelia and the boys.”
“I think they’re looking for vulnerabilities. The boys are the biggest vulnerability I have.”
“Then we increase security here. Quietly. Without alarming them.”
“Agreed. I don’t want Aurelia knowing about this yet. She’ll panic and the boys will sense it.”
“How do you want to handle it?”
“Your security handles the estate. Double the perimeter guards. Add cameras to the blind spots. Make sure no one gets on or off this property without being seen.”
“And outside the estate?”
“My people will add external surveillance. Eyes on the surrounding blocks. Anyone who looks wrong gets flagged immediately.”
Julian nods. “What about when they leave? School, activities?”
“Increase the escort detail. I want at least three vehicles any time they go anywhere. And I want our people mixed with yours so if something happens, we’re coordinated.”
“You think it’ll come to that?”
“I think the Petrovs have been quiet for six years and now they’re not. I think they’re watching me specifically to find weaknesses. And I think my sons are the biggest weakness I’ve ever had.”
“Alright. I’ll make the calls. Have my head of security coordinate with yours.”
“Tell him to contact Declan. They’ll work out the details.”
Julian walks to his desk and pours two drinks. Hands me one. “Six years they waited,” he says. “Why move now?”
“Maybe they needed time to rebuild after I dismantled their operation. Maybe they were waiting for me to give them an opening. Or maybe someone new took over and wants to make their mark.”
“You don’t know which?”
“Not yet. But I’m going to find out.”
We drink in silence.
Then Julian asks the question I’ve been avoiding. “If they move on the boys, what’s your play?”
“Eliminate every Petrov in the city. Every soldier, every captain, every family member who knew about the operation. Make sure the organization ceases to exist.”
“That’s war.”
“They started it six years ago when Dmitri tried to humiliate me on a public street. I finished him. If they want to restart it over that, I’ll finish all of them.”
Julian sets down his glass. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Hope isn’t a strategy.”
“No. But preparation is. We’ll get the security in place. Quietly. And if they make a move, we’ll be ready.”
I finish my drink and head for the door. Stop with my hand on the handle. “Julian, if something happens to those boys because the Petrovs are targeting me—”
“It won’t.”
“But if it does—”
“Then we’ll handle it. Together. For right now, focus on finding out what they’re planning before they have a chance to execute it.”
I leave the estate and drive back to the office.
Declan’s waiting when I arrive. “You talked to Julian?”
“Security’s being coordinated. What do you have?”
“I’ve reached out to our sources. Paid top dollar for information. Should have something within forty-eight hours.”
“Make it twenty-four.”
“Cass—”
“Twenty-four hours, Declan. I need to know what they’re planning before they move.”
He nods and leaves.
I sit at my desk and pull up the surveillance photos again. Study each face. Each location. Looking for patterns I might have missed.
The Petrovs are planning something.
And my sons are in their sights.