Chapter 19
Kirill
Fuck.
No time to think.
But I need to keep a clear head…
Gunfire cracks through the park like thunder.
I sprint hard across the open grass, legs pumping, lungs burning. Bullets whip past me—one so close it tears a chunk out of the tree trunk inches from my head.
“Out of my way,” I bellow. “Find cover!”
Pedestrians are screaming, diving for safety, mothers grabbing children and running in every direction. Chaos explodes around me, but I block it all out.
Focus.
Stay alive.
Get Teddy clear.
I risk a quick glance over my shoulder as I duck behind a colorful ice cream stand. The wooden structure shakes as two rounds slam into it, sending splinters flying.
Across the park, I catch sight of Teddy—small, fast, and typically agile as he sprints toward the exit. He doesn’t look back. Good boy. He’s following my orders exactly.
Relief hits me like a physical force as he disappears from view.
My boy is clear. For now, he is out of the line of fire.
That single thought sharpens everything. He’s not necessarily safe in the medium term, but for now he is out of harm’s way and that’s all that counts.
I refocus, breathing steady despite the adrenaline flooding my system. Firing back is not an option. I am outnumbered—at least three shooters that I can see, possibly more. Even if I managed to drop one, the others would pin me down and finish me.
And one thing is for absolute certain, I am not dying in a public park because of pride.
I peek around the edge of the stand for half a second. One of the shooters is closer now—heavily tattooed arms and neck visible under rolled-up sleeves and an open collar, the distinct style of a cartel enforcer. If I wasn’t sure before, I am now. There’s no doubt who sent them.
My hand is already moving.
I pull out my phone and fire off a single emergency SOS to both Viktor and Ivan, three short words that will tell them everything they need to know:
KIRILL: Park. Under fire. Cartel.
I don’t wait for a reply.
On the count of three in my head, I break cover and run.
Bullets chase me again. One grazes the grass near my foot. Another punches through a park bench as I vault over it. My heart is a war drum, but my mind is ice cold.
“Fuck,” I growl, almost tripping over myself as I swerve and duck. “Not today. Today I live.”
I zigzag, using trees and statues for momentary cover, every step calculated to reach the far exit.
The shooters are good, but they are not better than me. Not this time.
I burst through the park gates and keep running for another block before I allow myself to slow. No one is following on foot.
I flag down a passing cab, slide into the back seat, and give the driver an address two blocks from my apartment. Better to be cautious. The last thing I want is for a street spy to make me and then blow what little cover I have right now.
By the time I reach my building, my pulse has steadied, but the rage is building. They dared to shoot at me in broad daylight. And worse, they put Teddy in the crossfire.
I am almost at my door when a black SUV pulls up beside the curb.
The back door opens.
Viktor and Ivan are inside.
“Quick,” Viktor says, a look of urgency on his face. “We’re up against it.”
I don’t hesitate. I climb in. The door shuts and the vehicle moves immediately.
Viktor’s face is grim. “We got your message. What happened?”
“Cartel hit team,” I say, voice flat. “At least three shooters. They opened fire while I was with Teddy in the park. He made it out clean. I drew them away.”
Ivan’s jaw tightens. “They’re getting bold. Almost cocky. This wasn’t a warning. This was a legit assassination attempt. They screwed up, but we can’t leave anything to chance now. It’s already gone too far.”
I agree. If it was in any doubt before, then it’s more than clear now.
Viktor nods. “We hit them fast. No more waiting. We take the main stash, the secondary site, and as many senior men as we can reach. We end this before they regroup.”
I lean back against the seat, adrenaline still coursing through me. “Agreed. But first… I need to see my boy. I need to know he is safe.”
Both men exchange a glance but say nothing.
They understand.
In our world, the boys we claim become both our greatest strength and our greatest vulnerability. And rather than fight against it, the best option is to satiate the need to protect our boys and then go from there
The SUV changes direction, heading toward the safe house where Bobby took Teddy and Skeet. The ride is tense and silent. My mind keeps replaying the moment the first shot rang out… the way Teddy screamed, the way he trusted me enough to run when I told him to.
The SUV pulls up outside the discreet safe house on the edge of the city.
Bobby chose well—a quiet, unassuming building with excellent sightlines and multiple exit routes.
I step out first, followed by Viktor and Ivan.
The three of us move with purpose, the weight of the coming strike pressing on us like a physical force.
Bobby meets us at the door, his expression alert but relieved. He nods once, confirming everything is secure.
“He’s inside,” Bobby says quietly. “Shaken, but safe.”
I don’t wait. I push past him and step into the warmly lit room.
Teddy is on his feet the moment he sees me. He crosses the space in a rush and throws himself into my arms. I catch him easily, wrapping his lean body against my chest. He clings to me, face buried in my shirt, shoulders trembling with leftover fear and relief.
“Kirill…” His voice cracks. “You’re okay. You’re really okay.”
“I am,” I murmur against his hair, one hand stroking down his back in slow, soothing strokes. “I’m here. You’re safe. That is all that matters right now.”
He pulls back just enough to look up at me, eyes still wet but shining with something deeper than fear. The words tumble out of him in a breathless rush.
“I want to be a part of your life,” he says, voice trembling but determined. “No matter what the danger is. When I was running and I thought you might die in that park to protect me… it made me realize you’re the Daddy for me. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to walk away.”
The confession hits me hard. For a moment, the ruthless pakhan inside me falters. This bright, soft, brave boy is offering himself to my dangerous world—willingly, openly. It stirs the possessive hunger I have tried to keep leashed.
But now is not the time.
I cup his face with both hands, thumbs brushing away the tears on his cheeks. My voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.
“Now isn’t the moment to be talking about relationships, malysh. We will have that conversation when this is over. For now, you are to remain at this safe house. You do not leave under any circumstances. Do you understand?”
Teddy nods, but I can see the conflict in his eyes.
The boy bites his lip, then speaks again, his voice smaller.
“I have a meeting with the TV producer later today,” Teddy says. “The one you brought to my show. I can’t miss it. It could be my big break.”
I put my foot down immediately, my tone brooking no debate.
“No chance in hell is that happening. Daddy’s Orders.”
The words come out sharp and authoritative. Teddy’s shoulders slump. He tries to hide his disappointment, but I see it clearly—the way his eyes dim, the small pout he quickly swallows. He wants this career opportunity badly. I hate denying my darling boy, but his safety comes first. Always.
“I understand,” Teddy whispers, though the words clearly pain him.
I press a kiss to his forehead, lingering for a moment to breathe him in. Then I step back.
Bobby steps forward as we prepare to leave. I place a hand on his shoulder.
“You did a great job protecting him,” I say, meaning every word. “Thank you.”
Bobby nods, a small but proud smile touching his lips. “Always.”
As the three of us head back toward the SUV, Viktor falls into step beside me. His voice is low, thoughtful.
“I have an idea of how to ensure Teddy stays at the safe house,” Viktor says. “We can make it more comfortable for him… arrange to bring in some of his things, perhaps arrange a something a little fun. It might help him accept the situation more easily.”
I consider it. The suggestion has merit. Keeping Teddy comfortable and distracted could prevent him from doing something impulsive.
“Do it,” I say. “Quietly. I want him safe and calm while we handle the cartel.”
Viktor nods. Ivan remains silent, but I can feel his agreement in the set of his shoulders. The three of us climb back into the SUV, the engine roaring to life as we pull away from the safe house.
My mind is already shifting back to the strike: the timing, the teams, the targets.
But a small part of me lingers on Teddy. The way he looked at me when he said I was the Daddy for him, the trust in his eyes even when I denied him the producer meeting.
He is choosing me.
Despite the danger.
Despite the uncertainty.
I will not let Teddy regret that choice.
Tonight, we end the cartel threat.
Then, I will make sure my boy knows exactly where he belongs.
With me and only me.