Chapter 9 Sergei
SERGEI
The office was calm and quiet, but my mind wasn’t. Not even close. I kept replaying Alina’s words over and over in my head. Every step she’d taken. Every turn she’d made. Every person she’d talked to. I’d written it all down and mapped it all out, making sure I hadn’t missed a single detail.
It was a lot. If I missed one single thing, it could cost us everything. Damn. I should’ve called Viktor. I should’ve handed her over and let him deal with the mess she’d brought to our doorstep, but I was too hard-headed for that.
Instead, I listened.
I questioned, and little by little, I started to care.
That unsettled me more than any of it. I needed to just rip the fucking Band-Aid off and call him.
I grabbed my phone, and my finger hovered over Viktor’s name.
He would’ve been furious at me for not calling him sooner, and he would have every right to be.
But that didn’t stop me from scrolling past his name and onto Preacher’s.
He picked up on the first ring and chuckled, “I was wondering when I’d hear from you.”
“I need a favor.”
“Figured that would be coming. What do you need?”
“Alina left a trail. I need help making it disappear.”
I would’ve had Jenson erase Alina’s trail, but he was busy working on our accounts in the Cayman’s. I didn’t want him distracted, so Shep was my next best option.
Before he had a chance to ask what the hell I was talking about, I added, “I have some security cameras that need to be wiped. Traffic feeds, too. Anything they might use to find out where she went. You think Shep can handle that?”
“He can certainly try. He’s going to need to know exactly where she was and when.”
“I’ve got it all down. I’ll send it over.”
“Anything else?”
“Have him look into Alek Morozov.”
“He the husband?”
“He is.”
“Something tells me he’s a real fucking tool.”
“You have no idea. Grew up with the asshole and never did care for him.”
“Sounds like you already know what you need to know.”
“It’s been almost two years since we left New York.
A lot’s changed. I need to know what he’s up to now.
Who he’s dealing with and where he stands with the family.
” I let out a breath before adding, “I have a contact I can reach out to, but not sure how much he’ll know.
Anyone else would be too risky. Last thing I need is any unnecessary attention. ”
“Understood. I’ll see what Shep can come up with, and if he doesn’t come up with what you need, we have a Fury chapter in New York. If need be, I can always reach out to them.”
“Good to know. Hopefully, it won’t come to that.”
“You sure about this?”
“It’s too late to have doubts now.”
“We can find somewhere else for her to go. Somewhere they’ll never find her.”
“Hard pass. I said I would help her, and I am.”
“Even if it means war?”
“Even if it means war.”
Preacher didn’t argue. He didn’t try to change my mind. He simply said, “Okay. Good to know where you stand. I’ll get with Shep and let you know what he finds.”
“I appreciate it.”
With that, the line went dead. I sent Preacher the list of locations before tossing my phone down on the desk.
I leaned back in my chair, and I found myself thinking about the moment Alina said she’d leave as soon as she could.
A spark of determination flashed through her eyes that I hadn’t expected.
I hadn’t expected to like her either. It had been a long time since someone stood up to me. This woman had been through hell. She’d been knocked around and made to feel small, but there was still fire in her.
It was that fire that fueled my need to save her. I wanted to see that fire burn bright and strong, and I didn’t want Alek or anyone else putting it out. It was that thought that had me reaching for my phone. I scrolled through the numbers until I landed on Conrad.
He was one of the few who had been with me and my family since New York. He had been there through it all. Dad. The wars. The death. The turmoil. And he never once considered turning his back on us.
He wasn’t bratva by blood, but he was as close to family as I’ve ever had. He looked out for me and taught me things no one else dared, like how to keep my head when bullets were flying and how to read a man before he ever opened his mouth.
I trusted him more than anyone, even my own flesh and blood, and that was saying something. I knew I could count on him to help me with this mess with Alina. It had been some time since we last spoke, but I hoped he wouldn’t hold it against me.
After ringing several times, he picked up and said, “Well, if it isn’t the Lone Wolf. I was beginning to think you were dead and buried.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
“How are things with the casino?”
“Better than expected.”
I was tempted to tell him about my concerns with some of the elders who were snooping around, but that wasn’t why I’d called. He sounded genuinely pleased when he said, “That’s good. I’m glad to hear it. Hope to get down there soon and check it out for myself.”
“You should. It’d be good to see ya.”
“I’m guessing there’s a reason why you called.”
“There is.” I cleared my throat before adding, “I need to know what’s going on with Alek Morozov.”
“Last I heard, things weren’t going so well for him or the family.”
“What’s been going on?”
“Albanians. New day. Same story.”
I wasn’t exactly surprised. The Albanians have been a problem for as long as I could remember.
My father hated them and did everything in his power to cut them off at the knees.
And for the most part, he was successful in slowing them down.
They got in their hits now and then, but it was nothing like what he did to them.
They’d move in and take over a corner of the city, and Dad would burn it to the ground.
He would pick them off, one by one, making sure to leave an impression on the higher ups.
But that didn’t stop them from coming. Instead, they just pushed harder, so I wasn’t surprised when Conrad said, “Yeah, but I hear things have gotten pretty hostile lately.”
“Even more than usual?”
“Oh, yeah. Banians are done fucking around, and it’s getting bloody out there. Seems they’re after everyone, and that includes your family ties.”
“They’re not my ties anymore.”
“You can say that all you want, but we both know that isn’t true.”
“This isn’t about me.”
“So, what’s with the sudden interest in Alek Morozov?”
“I just need the information. Can you get it or not?”
“I can and I will, but if whatever this is that you have going on comes to a head, and something tells me it’s gonna come to a head, you leave my name out of it.”
“You know me better than that.”
“I don’t know. The Sergei I knew put his life on the line to get his mother and brothers out of New York, but he did it. And he’s not just living. He’s thriving. No way in hell he’d put all that in jeopardy by getting tied with Alek Morozov.”
“I have my reasons.”
“I hope she’s worth it.” He let out a sigh, then added, “I’ll call back when I know more.”
“Appreciate it.”
I ended the call, and when I glanced up at the clock, I was surprised to find that it was already after four.
The day had gotten away from me. I hadn’t checked in on the casino, and I hadn’t given the first thought to what I was going to do about dinner.
It was just another thing I needed to do, and it had me feeling on edge.
I barely had a chance to think before my phone started ringing. I glanced down at the screen and was surprised to see that it was Shepard. I immediately answered, “Did you get it done?”
“No, but I’m working on it, but thought you’d like an update. I got the cameras cleared at the bus stop and side streets. I’m about to start working on Chicago and the sister. Looked into the car, and as of now, it hasn’t been reported as missing or stolen.”
“That’s good.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. He could have his own guys looking into it.”
“Yeah, that’s a definite possibility.”
“Either way, it’ll be harder to find her without those security feeds.”
“Yes, it will. I appreciate your help.”
“No problem. I’ll get back at it, and I’ll let you know if I find anything pressing.”
With that, he ended the call, and I didn’t know if I should feel relieved or even more apprehensive.
I thought back to what Conrad said about the Albanians.
If they pushed hard enough, the bratva would have no choice but to declare war, and if that happened, it would take all of Alek’s attention.
It wouldn’t solve all our problems, but it would definitely buy us some time.
I looked back down at my notes and went through it again, line by line. Each time, I felt a little more obsessed. I shook my head as I muttered, “You keep pulling at this thread, you’re going to strangle yourself with it.”
I needed a minute to collect myself, so I grabbed my phone and stepped away from my desk. There was no doubt about it. I was wound tight. I needed a stiff drink. Maybe two.
As I walked by Alina’s room, I spotted her lying across the bed, and at first, I thought she was sleeping. Then, her head snapped up, and she called out, “Sergei?”
I stopped and stepped into the doorway. “Everything okay?”
“I was about to ask you the same.”
“It’s going to take some time, but we’re working on it.”
Her lips parted, and for a moment, she just stared at me. Then, she got up from the bed and walked over to me. Before I could step back or even remotely prepare myself, she wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly.
It was nothing.
Just a simple hug. It was something people did all the time.
But not me.
Not like this.
She rested her head on my chest and just held onto me, and I, like a damn idiot, suddenly forgot how to breathe. I just stood there frozen, taking in the feeling of her body next to mine.
“Thank you,” she whispered so softly I almost didn’t hear. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Her words cut deeper than any blade ever could.
Without me. As if I actually mattered. My hands hovered uselessly in the air before I let them fall against her waist. I didn’t pull her close, but I didn’t push her away, either.
The feel of her against me, so warm and fragile, hit me harder than any fight I’d ever been in.
She didn’t see it or feel it, but my pulse was pounding. I wanted her gone, and I wanted her even closer in the same damn breath. I couldn’t do it.
It was too much.
So, I stepped back. I was rougher than I’d meant, and confusion flickered across her face when I told her, “Don’t thank me yet. This is far from over.”
And with that, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving her standing there alone. As I walked to the kitchen, I could still feel the warmth of her touch clinging to me, and it shook me how much I wanted to savor the feeling.
I made myself another pot of coffee as I tried to shake off the feel of Alina’s arms around me. Gratitude wasn’t something I’d ever known how to handle. I’d spent most of my life earning fear, not thanks. But there was a first time for everything. I guess this was mine.
I’d just taken my first sip of coffee when my phone chimed with a text message. Thinking it might be Shep or Conrad, I quickly grabbed it from my pocket and glanced down at the screen. Disappointment slammed me in the chest when I saw that the message was from Viktor.
Viktor:
You coming in today or what?
Me:
No.
Viktor:
Why?
What’s going on?
Me:
I have some things I need to take care of.
Viktor:
What kind of things?
Me:
What do you want, Viktor?
Viktor:
I don’t want a fucking thing. Christ.
Excuse me for caring if you were alive or dead.
Me:
I’ll be there when I get there.
And if I don’t get there tonight. I’ll get there tomorrow.
Viktor:
I leave for the Cayman’s in the morning.
Me:
I know.
Did you get with Jenson?
Viktor:
Everything is set up.
Me:
A lot is riding on those new accounts.
Let me know if you have any trouble.
Viktor:
I won’t.
Me:
But if you do.
Viktor:
You’ll be the first to know.
I expect a conversation when I return.
Me:
Understood.
Now fuck off.
I stared at my response for a moment, and it took all I had not to throw my phone across the fucking room.
My brother had a way of making the simplest of things feel like a chain around my neck.
I let out a breath and took another drink of coffee.
I barely had a chance to swallow when my phone rang.
This time it was my mother. As soon as I answered, she said, “Moya isn’t doing so well.”
“What do you mean? What’s going on?”
“The vet thinks it’s colic. He’s treating her, but it’s not looking good.” She let out a defeated breath. “I’m sorry. I know you’re busy with work and everything, but I thought you’d want to know.”
“I’m on my way.”
I shoved my phone into my pocket and stood there for a moment, just staring at the kitchen counter.
It was only fucking Tuesday, and it had already been a hell of a week.
The warnings about the bratva wanting a bigger bite of the casino, the ordeal with Alina, and all that it brought along with it.
Preacher. Conrad. Mother. And Moya was just one more piece of my world fraying at the edges.
The weight of it all was almost too much to bear, but it was nothing new. I always carried one burden or another.
But this felt different.
This felt like the walls were closing in on me, and no matter which way I turned, something or someone I cared about was going to suffer for it. And I wasn’t sure I had it in me to stop it. Any of it.
Maybe Nikolai was right.
Maybe I had fucked us all.