Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
Reinaldo
T he fucking car smelled like fast-food and body odor. It wasn’t a good combination. I tried to remember Jasmine’s honeysuckle scent as I stared through the windshield of the inconspicuous sedan. This was the fifth night of surveillance outside Myshkin’s club in the bratva territory. At nearly two in the morning, we were no closer to going back to Bella than we’d been when we stepped off the fucking boat deck.
“I need to piss,” Diego said, opening the car door.
Laying my head against the seat, I dreamed of less time undercover and more time under the covers with my wife.
I would call Jasmine if I could. Jano worried about our phones being tracked. So, they’re now locked in a lead-lined box at the capo’s place. The box was specifically designed to block phone signals. Instead, I was carrying a cheap burner that connected me to Jano, Felipe, Diego, and the members of the Luciano famiglia involved in our operation.
We’d been on the lookout for Kostya Myshkin and Herrera. The only ranking person we’d seen in the last four days was Zhdan Myshkin. As much as I’d like to put a cap into his brain, he wasn’t our main concern. The arrogant son of a bitch was the one who roofied my wife. Before I left Kansas City, I might make his killing an extracurricular activity.
Taking a sip of my Coca-Cola, I wished for a Tropicola. Unfortunately, the fast-food restaurants in Kansas City didn’t carry the Cuban-made soda. Coke was about as close as I could get. When this was over, I’d fucking bathe in tequila.
As Diego got back into the car, my cheap phone vibrated. I answered the call. “Hola.”
Jano’s voice came through loud and clear. “A message came through from Em, not sure when it was sent. The drone made a hit on the yacht Nick found off of Bahía Asunci?n.”
“Bahía Asunci?n—Mexican jurisdiction,” I said with a grin.
“ Sí . Easier to sweep away.”
“It would cost some money, but that was an easier route than dealing with the Coast Guard or FBI. Fuck,” I said. “Do we know for sure Herrera was on it?”
“Not for sure. Confirmed his wife and kids were. No one got off. Fucker’s probably still burning as we speak. ”
“Fuck.”
Jano hummed in agreement. “Three kids, I think.”
“If Elizondro wasn’t on that boat, he’s retaliating.”
“Our padre is aware. Bella is equipped with high-definition cameras, acoustic sensors, RF sensors, and radar. Nothing is getting near her without warning.”
“Does the capo know?” I asked.
“Not yet. He’s my next call.” Jano was on a different street watching other doors to the club. “Any action on your side?”
“No. Boring as shit.”
“Call the capo,” I said. “I’ll keep watching the private entrance.” Blinking, I leaned forward. “Shit, people are coming out.” The person passed within a circle of illumination. I tapped Diego’s arm. “Fucking bingo.”
“Myshkin?” Jano asked.
My tone was deadly calm. “Both of them with two goons flanking them. I’m hanging up. Get the fuck out of here. This place is about to be swarming with Russians.” I hit the red button and placed the phone in my pocket as Diego opened our weapon box in the back seat.
Our long-range rifles were the best money could buy. With the attached magazine, we could fire off ten rounds. Two to three rounds per second, and we’d be long gone before anyone could identify us. Diego and I didn’t need the red dot sights the Russians used when they invaded the Ruiz home.
Hell no.
We were both deadly accurate from 500 yards or less.
If I were to guess, the men we were watching had just received word of Herrera’s yacht. They were all talking about something they deemed important, too important to thoroughly assess their surroundings.
Without a word, Diego and I waited as they made their way toward a car parked behind the Russian club. My heart beat steadily in my chest as the rush of adrenaline filled my veins. I tapped my finger on the console as a countdown.
As soon as I tapped the third tap, we opened our doors and began shooting. Even Myshkin’s guards didn’t have time to react. Within seven seconds, we were back inside the car, and I had the motor running. I tossed my phone to Diego. “Call Jano. Tell him it’s done. We’ll meet at the capo’s. If this doesn’t bring Herrera out of hiding, I don’t know what will.”
“Unless he’s already dead,” Diego said.
“That would be the best news.”
Armando, one of the capo’s guards met us in the garage. “You can go to Mr. Luciano’s to clean up before going up to the penthouse.”
For a second, I looked at Jano, Diego, and Felipe, before surveying myself. Five days with little sleep and less hygiene had taken their toll. “That’s a good plan.”
After a hot shower and clean clothes, I walked out into Dante’s living room to find Camila sitting on the sofa. “Did I wake you?”
She shook her head. “How’s married life?”
“I’m fucking hoping I can fly back west tonight and find out.”
“I’m not sure what’s been going on, but to say it’s been tense around here is an understatement.”
I sighed. “You better ask your husband about that. ”
“I would, but he left a few hours ago for San Diego.”
I stood straighter. “Why?”
Camila’s green eyes opened wide. “I was hoping you knew.”
“I need to get upstairs and talk to the capo.”
Camila nodded. “I have my card. I’ll take you up.”
When the elevator doors closed, Camila smiled. “Tell Jasmine I miss having her around.”
“Will do,” I replied with a nod.
The doors opened to the capo’s entryway. Armando stood guard outside of Dario’s office. As I approached, I heard my brother’s voice.
“…fuck weren’t we informed?”
“You had a job to do. You did it.”
I turned the corner as Jano’s voice got louder. “We should have been called.”
“And then Myshkin would still be a threat.”
Entering, I saw the capo standing on the other side of the desk. His suit coat and tie were gone. My brother’s hair was still wet, and he had on fresh clothes. Our phones lay on the capo’s desk.
Jano’s dark stare met mine. “Fuck.”
“Qué pasa?” I turned to the capo.
“We’re still trying to figure out what happened,” he said. “Dante landed about an hour ago.”
“Landed where? What are you talking about?”
What had Camila said—Dante was in San Diego?
Jano gripped my arm. “Bella.”
A death grip came to my heart and my circulation ceased to flow. “What about Bella?”
It was the capo who spoke. “The yacht was hijacked just after sunset last night. From what we’ve learned through the distress call, a boat with five Russians from Kozlov’s bratva boarded Bella, took out the first sentry.” He shook his head. “There was a gun battle. Two of the Russians were killed.”
“Two Russians. What about Padre’s guards?”
Jano shrugged and shook his head. “We don’t have answers.”
My mind did the math on the timing. Sunset was close to 7:00 p.m. That would be 9:00 p.m. in Kansas City. It was now three in the morning. “Six hours.” Placing my hand on my head, I pulled my wet hair. “What the fuck? Where’s Jasmine? Where’s Mia?” I looked at Jano. “Our parents.”
My brother’s jaw clenched. “They’re looking for the yacht.”