Chapter 13 Sergei
SERGEI
“It’s done.”
They were just two simple words, but they nearly knocked me off my feet. I’d been waiting on Conrad’s call for hours, and while he couldn’t say much over the phone, he’d said exactly what I was hoping to hear. I gripped the phone tighter as I asked, “You’re sure?”
“I wouldn’t have called if I wasn’t.”
The Albanian attack couldn’t have come at a better time.
They were hitting Alek and the family harder than ever, and they were all scrambling to keep their empire from crumbling.
We couldn’t pass on the opportunity to use it to our advantage, so with a little help from Conrad and Preacher, I assembled a crew to give the Albanians a hand in their endeavors.
We’d been hashing out an attack for over a week and had gone over every detail time and time again.
We had their locations, their itinerary, and even the security codes to get into the house and safe.
Nevertheless, it was tough having them there and us here, but we managed to piece together a plan that would put an end to Alek and anyone connected to him.
None of us were sure it would actually work. The timing would have to be just right, and even then, there were risks. Lots of them.
One wrong step, and everyone was done for.
Everyone.
There’s no way to describe the relief I felt when Conrad added, “Looks like you can breathe easy for a bit.”
Conrad wasn’t one to gamble with uncertainty, so I took him at his word and let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Spasibo.”
He ended the call before anything else could be said. Silence filled my office, but only for a moment. I was still processing everything when Preacher cleared his throat, bringing me back to reality.
He and Creed were sitting across from me, and when he couldn’t stand it a second longer, Preacher leaned forward and asked, “Well?”
“It’s done.” I ran my hand over my day-old beard. “Alek and the guards are dead.”
It felt good to say the words, but they were bittersweet.
I wanted to be the one to do it. I wanted to put the blade at Alek’s throat and feel the fight leave him as I dragged it across his carotid artery.
I wanted him to look up and see that it was me who’d stolen his last breath.
I wanted him to know that I’d been the one who’d been his undoing.
It wasn’t like he didn’t have it coming.
He’d done nothing but backstab and hurt anyone who got in his way, including his wife.
I wanted to put an end to it all, but desire was different from strategy.
Cameras. Witnesses. The wrong taxi driver remembering my face.
Any small thread of evidence would have the entire plan unravel. And it wouldn’t just come back on me. It would be on us all, and I wasn’t selfish enough to burn everyone I cared about for a taste of revenge.
Regardless, the deed was done, and it had been done well. But that didn’t mean I could let go completely. I knew better than that. In the life we lived, the war was never truly over.
You cut off one head, and another grows back in its place.
There was still a chance for a fallout or backlash, but only time would tell. For now, I would consider this battle a win.
Creed crossed his arms and asked, “And the cadaver?”
“It was placed before the fire,” Preacher answered.
Bog was actually the one who’d come up with the idea of making it look like Alina had died in the fire. He knew the family would come looking for Alina, unless they had a reason not to. So, Preacher’s boys in New York pulled from their resources and acquired an unclaimed female from the morgue.
She had Alina’s build and hair color, and they’d even managed to find her wedding ring in Alek’s dresser. They slipped it on the girl’s finger, then dressed her in Alina’s clothes and jewelry and placed her in the bed.
None of it was perfect, but the fire would help.
Dental records could be tricky, but money had a way of convincing the right examiner to see what you told them to see.
By the time investigators sifted through the wreckage, the story would be clear.
Alek Morozov was a monster, and his empire crumbled at the hands of the Albanians, making them one step closer to taking over the territory.
Preacher took another drag from his cigarette before saying, “Now, we wait and see if they believe it’s Alina. If they buy it, we’re in the clear.”
Creed’s jaw tightened, and I could tell something was bothering him. I wasn’t surprised. He was always ten steps ahead. He cocked his brow and asked, “And we’re sure they’re gonna think the Albanians were behind it all?”
“Can’t imagine why they wouldn’t. Hell, they slit his father’s throat in broad daylight less than twenty-four hours ago. Killed two guards. Wounded the mother. She’s still in the ICU. It’s all over the news.”
Creed’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t say a word.
So, I continued, “Two brothers were dumped in the harbor. Fingers cut off. Tongues gone. They’re making the message clear.”
Jenson shifted in the corner before interjecting, “I saw this morning that a stash house got torched. They burned everyone inside, including the women and children. It was all kinds of fucked up.”
“Damn.” Goose shook his head as he entered the room. “These guys don’t fuck around.”
“Yeah, and it’s only going to get worse from here. It’s make-or-break time for those remaining, and everyone knows it.” I glanced back over at Creed as I said, “And don’t forget all the evidence we had them put in the safe. That will keep them busy for weeks.”
“No doubt.” Preacher leaned back in his chair and took a drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke billow around him. “Either way. It buys us some time.”
He wasn’t wrong. But there was no satisfaction in his words for me. Only the weight of inevitability. When it came to a war like this, it didn’t matter how careful you were. When blood hit the street, it spread. And we’re just close enough to catch some of the splatter.
“So, what are you gonna do about the girl?” Creed gave me one of his looks. “She gonna stay or are we going to find her a place to…”
“She’s staying.”
The words came out before I had a chance to really think them through.
Jenson’s gaze flicked up, and Preacher looked at me like he knew something I didn’t.
I felt the urge to defend myself and tell them that it was the way it had to be, but the longer she was there, the harder it became to think of her as temporary.
Preacher cocked his brow. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s not like I’m just going to kick her to the curb.”
“Not saying that.” Creed took a step forward. “Just thinking, if we’re gonna do it, this would be the best time to set her up some place. We could send her…”
“No. We aren’t sending her anywhere.” My voice was low and absolute. “It would be like tossing her out to the wolves. I won’t do it.”
Creed didn’t press. He didn’t have to. The fire was already lit.
The knot in my throat tightened as I growled, “I told her I would protect her, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“And you’ve kept your word,” Preacher interjected. “Alek has been dealt with. It’s over. You said it yourself. If we’re going to find her a safe place to go, this is the time to do it. She needs a new name, new license, new…”
“It’s too soon. She needs time.”
“Time, huh?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Um-hmm.” Preacher shook his head. “How much time are you thinking? A couple days? A week? A year?”
“As much time as she needs.”
“You talked to your brothers about this? Or your mother?”
I was growing tired of the third degree. Real tired. My back stiffened as I countered, “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I don’t have to check in with my brothers or mother any time I make a decision.”
“This isn’t any decision, Sergei.” Preacher’s eyes narrowed. “This girl and her family have history with all of you. They have a right to know she’s here.”
“Like I said, she needs time.”
It wasn’t a lie. Alina had been through hell, and while the bruises were gone and she was no longer wincing at every wrong move, she was still recovering.
She didn’t jump or gasp at every little bump in the night, but I saw those little glimmers of fear in her eyes, especially when a voice was raised or a door slammed.
The nightmares were pretty rough, too. I had gotten the first taste of them the second night she was at my place. I was in the office, talking with Conrad, when I heard a strange sound coming from Alina’s room. As soon as he ended the call, I went to check on her.
I eased her door open and was surprised to find that the bedside lamp was on.
I stepped in further and found her nestled under the covers, sleeping soundly.
The bruises on her face were all but gone, and the shadows under her eyes had disappeared.
She looked so peaceful, like something fragile I had no right being close to.
I knew then I should’ve turned away.
I should’ve turned out the light and gone back to the office.
But I didn’t.
I stood there silently watching the soft rise and fall of her chest, and I couldn’t help but wonder how in the hell she’d ended up here. It felt so wrong and so right all at the same time, and it was fucking with my head. I don’t know what it was about this woman, but she’d gotten under my skin.
I was busy cursing myself for being a damn fool when she started to stir. Her breath hitched, and a whimper caught in her throat. She started to turn her head and writhe against the sheets, and she was muttering something I couldn’t make out. But I heard the fear. There was no missing that.
Before I had a chance to think, I knelt down next to the bed and placed my palm on her chest. I leaned forward and lowered my mouth to her ear as I whispered, “I’m here, Lina. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
And just like that, her body let go of the tension, and a soft sigh slipped from her lips. Her furrowed brows smoothed, and she sank back into her pillow.
Something deep inside me cracked wide open. It was something I hadn’t felt for years. Maybe ever. Not desire. Not possessiveness. Something deeper. Something I didn’t want to name. And that terrified me more than any bullet or blade.
Preacher wasn’t buying it. I could see it in his eyes, but he didn’t push. He just shook his head and said, “You’re playing with fire, son, and I have a feeling you’re not the only one who’s gonna get burned with this.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
“Well, I’m not. Your mother has a right to know, and…”
“You know how many times I thought the same with you, but I trusted you to do the right thing by her. Time you did the same for me.”
“Fucking-a.”
He ran his hand over his beard, then stood.
After a quick nod of his head, he walked out of the room, and Creed and Goose were quick to follow behind.
Jenson glanced over at me, and when he saw my expression, he took it as his cue to excuse himself.
He walked out and closed the door behind him, leaving me alone to deal with the crazy in my head.
Only I didn’t want to deal with it.
Alek was dead, and for the first time in days, I felt like I could actually breathe.
I didn’t want to sit in my damn office and squirrel the day away.
I wanted to make good use of the lightness in my chest, so I closed my computer and made my way to the door.
I was just about to walk out when Viktor came barging in.
“We need to talk.”
“I’m heading out.”
“Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on.”
“Nothing’s going on.”
“Bullshit!” he snapped, slamming the door shut. “You’ve had me running in circles for days because you’ve been up here scheming with Preacher and those fucking bikers.”
“I’ve been handling things, Viktor. It’s what I do.”
“Handling what things?” he spat. “Because I’ve been handling all the bullshit with the casino on my own. Every meeting. Every phone call. Every problem. It’s all fallen on me.”
“You’ve just gotten a taste of what I do every day.”
“Stop with the bullshit. I want to know what the hell is going on.”
I wasn’t ready to show my hand just yet, so I said, “It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with. The casino is running fine. You’re handling it well. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?” Viktor’s eyes narrowed. “I know you better than anyone. I know when you’re hiding something, and this time it’s something big.”
“You’re wrong.”
“You’ve been disappearing for hours… days at a time. The casino has always been your top priority, and now, you’re giving me the reins. You won’t answer questions, and you expect me to just play along like I don’t see that something’s going on.”
“I expect you to do your job.”
“I’m your brother, Sergei. Not your fucking errand boy.”
His words stung a bit, mainly because he was right. I loved my brother, and that wasn’t a word I threw around lightly. He was a good man, and I’d spent the better part of my life trying to do right by him and Nikolai. But I’d made a mess of this thing with Alina. And I knew it.
I’d not only taken advantage of him, but I’d lied to him, too.
But telling him the truth meant opening a door I wasn’t sure I could close again.
Viktor had a history with Alina. They were close, and there was a time when I wondered if something would come of the two of them.
It was a thought I didn’t like to revisit.
Regardless, he would protect her, maybe even more than I could. Maybe he’d see her fragility, her fire, and decide I didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as her. I wasn’t ready to take that chance, so I told him, “It’s complicated.”
“Then, uncomplicate it.”
“Viktor.”
“Stop shutting me out and tell me what the fuck is going on.”
Every instinct screamed that keeping Alina secret was the only way to keep her safe, but another voice, one that was quieter and crueler, whispered that maybe I was keeping her hidden because I didn’t want to lose her.
My brother waited, unmoving and unrelenting, and for the first time in a very long time, I didn’t know what the hell to do.