Chapter 21
Switch
“Fuck!” I yell, tossing my empty clip.
We are burning through ammo like it’s fucking going out of fashion and yet there are more men bearing down on us. I have no idea how many are on McDonald and Thompson’s payroll, or if these are Petrov’s men, but wave after wave of the fuckers has us running for cover.
“I’m out!” Blanche yells from wherever she’s hiding.
“I’m out!” Sasha also yells.
I’m down to one last clip and then I’ll be out too.
We need a new plan and STAT. We’ve been getting running updates and so far Team Elio have managed to stop anyone coming near the bunker.
Red Team have just come out of fucking nowhere and along with Blue Team have managed to push back anyone coming from the rear, White Team have neutralised their targets and are looping around the front to stop any other fuckers arriving and Roman’s team have been backing us up, which hasn’t stopped us from being pinned down.
“Ah shit! I’m hit!” Sasha’s voice breaks over the line and I stiffen slightly.
Everything goes still and it’s as if there’s a change in the air. I’m not the only one who feels it as our enemies all seem to slow down. The wind picks up slightly, the cool air drifting along my skin as it prickles.
Roman steps out into the middle of the driveway, his pristine suit replaced with pitch black tactical gear, somehow making him even more intimidating than usual. His lithe body is coiled like a snake and he plants his boots shoulder width apart.
“Teper’ ty umresh.”
Roman
How dare they? How dare they touch my love with their filth? Their bullets tearing through his skin as if he were an animal. The gall these men have to come here and attack what I love. They made the wrong move. I am the pakhan. I am fury and they will die. All of them.
I raise my gun at the man standing before me, smoothly squeezing the trigger and blowing a hole right through his head as if it is nothing.
My free hand reaches down into my pocket, and I press the button on my keychain, the one that alerts my men that it is time.
Time to join the fight and die for a just cause.
I do not care who lives and dies from this point forward. All I care about is Sasha’s safety and happiness and that I have vengeance on those who hurt him. Today they will meet their end.
Dima
I stand and wait for Roman to take his place in the center of the drive as is my vision. Soon he will unleash death on those who wish to harm our family, our friends, and it will be my job to hear it all. Feel it all. Learn it all.
Roman pulls his trigger, killing the first man and then it is a mess of bullets, blood, screams and whimpers and I hear it all.
The secrets of those who fall fill my senses until I can make out plans, schemes, information that will be useful to our mission here and in the future.
These men will not prevail. Not with the DRMC and my woman by my side. We will end this.
Marx
Roman is the devil. There is no other way to explain what I’m seeing.
“Holy fucking shit,” Chewy whispers next to me as we watch, eyes glued to the screen.
His movements are fluid, graceful even as he takes life after life, smoothly switching out clips without a pause in his killing.
Out of nowhere suited men arrive and start working with White Team at corralling our enemies into the driveway where Rhodie’s team and Roman’s are methodically slaughtering our enemies.
My gaze leaves Roman to scan the screens, looking for my woman.
Soft, kind, pure Lovely is there on the screen, her face a mask of serenity as she pulls the trigger on a man hellbent on taking our baby girl.
She looks at peace as she joins Switch and Blanche who have taken weapons from the bodies of those littering the ground.
Slumping back into my chair my hand goes to my chest, heart thundering beneath my palm, and under that a sense of pride. These people, this fucking rag tag bunch of fucked-up people have managed to cobble together a family so fucking strong that we can come together and take on a fucking army.
A voice clears from behind me and I turn to meet the eyes of Switch’s brothers. “We’re heading up to get started on the bodies. The families will be safe down here,” Marsden says.
“Elio still has three bombs left.” Riker grins and I can’t help my grin back at him. That kid is going to be a fucking menace when he’s old enough to prospect.
“Take extra arms-”
“Marx, my guy, we’re preppers. We know what to do.” Riker shakes his head at me and they move as one, not looking back.
“I kinda love this place,” Chewy says, “and I especially love this Roman. He’s like a fucking superhero!
” She claps and then shoves a handful of popcorn in her mouth.
Where the fuck did that come from? “Oh yeah, Petrov is on the line for you. I put him on hold like, ten minutes ago. He’s still there though so must be important. ”
I stare at Chewy who shrugs at me and shovels another handful of popcorn in her mouth. Picking up line one, I place the receiver to my ear.
“Mr. President, it seems I may have underestimated you and your little club.” I don’t even bother to answer. “Very well. I would like to meet. Face to face, man to man. I will be arriving in five minutes. Please make sure the way is safe and clear. I believe we have much to talk about.”
He hangs up and I turn to Chewy who smirks at me. She extends her finger and presses the “all comms” button. “Petrov will be arriving for a meeting in five. Please clear the way.”
“Oh oh, I have an idea!” Pops says giddily, before cackling.
Where the fuck did he come from? We lost all comms with Red Team after the drone attack.
I let out a relieved sigh, knowing my men are alright.
“I need a few strong men, meet me out front.” He giggles again and I know something fucked up is about to happen.