CHAPTER 17
HUCK
It’s been a few days since Chambers came into Kirill’s office, and they came to an agreement.
I’m still on edge over the whole thing.
The idea that we’re keeping up appearances for Chambers, to lull him into the idea that he’s won, grates at me.
Not killing the man in Kirill’s office was difficult.
I know I wasn’t the only one who struggled either.
All of us wanted to kill Chambers.
Seeing Oaklynn make herself small to play the role her father expected was like a punch to the gut.
She should never feel less than the queen she is.
We only want to build her up and asking her to not shine as brightly as she does naturally, killed something inside of me.
That’s not how things are supposed to be at all.
I’ve been monitoring everything Chambers has been up to since he left the building.
He’s not even trying to hide his movements and contacts.
It’s pissing me off.
Knowing Oaklynn is doing some online shopping at home, which is being watched over by some of Baker’s men, I stride into Kirill’s office because he needs this update.
My strides pause for a moment when I see Wolfe, Dominic, and Hendrix are here as well.
It’s been over a week since we’ve gotten an update from the guys.
Their task is to try and run down information on what Mikhail is up to on the streets is not an easy one.
It’s felt like every time they get closer to finding him or getting more information on his movements, he disappears.
The thought that piece of shit is a few steps ahead of us burns in my gut.
He won’t be able to hide forever, that’s a fact.
But he has had time to make plans and that’s what has me worried.
We have a lot more to lose now with Oaklynn in our lives.
Knowing Chambers is working on their side and the danger our woman has been in for years, without even knowing, is hard to swallow.
“The guys were just about to update me,” Kirill informs me and nods toward one of the seats.
“Good. I also have some news,” my voice holds an ominous note to it that I’m sure everyone in the room can hear.
“Is this about your woman?”
I’m not surprised by Hendrix’s question or that he knows about our woman considering the connection to Morozov and all the bullshit Mikhail has been pulling.
“Of course,” I tell him with a nod, and he smirks in response.
Hendrix grins at my response and shares a look with his guys.
It wasn’t that long ago that they found their woman, Kirby.
Her life was changed years ago by Morozov, and her trauma had her running all over the world to find her strength and herself again.
But she found it.
It was entirely kismet that Kirby crossed paths with the same group of mercs who were there the night when she was rescued.
A lot of puzzle pieces had to come together perfectly for it all to happen, including her being rescued.
But everything happened the way it was supposed to.
They’re happy and in love.
Now it’s time to deal with Mikhail.
I have a feeling that we’re going to have to smoke him out of hiding.
Maybe this arrangement with Oaklynn will be the thing to do it.
Chambers is greedy and he has no loyalty.
That will work to our advantage.
“We’ve seen an increase in dealers linked to Mikhail on the street. With the ones we were already tracking, there’s been a twenty percent increase. The new dealers are all teens and young adults. They don’t know who is really in charge, but they also don’t care,” Hendrix starts to fill us in.
I zone out for a moment and wonder what Oaklynn is up to.
In a matter of days, she’s become everything to me.
It’s difficult to concentrate when I’m not around her.
Spending time with Oaklynn is like being outside under the sun.
She shines down on you and it’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.
I’ve never been infatuated with a woman before, but our woman has me messed up.
With her nothing feels forced.
It also doesn’t feel like we’re moving fast enough though I know that makes no damn sense.
“No one has seen Mikhail,” Hendrix comments and his words snap me back to reality.
“There has been talk of a money man making some moves, but we’re not sure who that is.”
“Chambers,” I growl.
Hendrix looks at me with a curious expression.
“I recall that name. Richard Chambers. We had intel of him working with Anatoly, but he hasn’t come up in regard to Mikhail.”
“I think it’s time to fill you in completely about our woman,” Kirill states and leans back in his chair, his elbows resting on the arm rests as he steeples his fingers in front of him.
“Can’t say I didn’t have some questions,” there’s a tease in Hendrix’s voice.
“We’re curious about the woman who has captured your eye and can hold her own with the four of you. She must be strong,” Wolfe muses.
“She’s my sister and I haven’t met her yet,” this jab is directed at Baker.
Baker only shrugs, not giving anything up or away.
Wolfe makes a good point.
We’re connected to Hendrix and his crew in more ways than just business.
“You’ll meet her when the time is right,” Baker assures him, but doesn’t make excuses or try to play off the situation.
“Richard Chambers asked for a meeting,” Kirill begins.
“Actually, he had been trying to get a meeting for a while, but I ignored him. It finally felt like the right time to accept it. We knew he was connected to Morozov and was curious why he was still so persistent. At our dinner meeting he brought his daughter, Oaklynn. I knew the moment I saw her,” he admits, unapologetically.
“Let me guess,” Dominic’s voice holds an edge of a threat in it, “he wanted to make a deal, and it involved his daughter.”
“You got it,” Kirill confirms.
“I didn’t give him an answer, but a few days later, Oaklynn showed up here. Chambers was pissed when I didn’t fall at his feet with the offer he gave me. He beat Oaklynn. She figured she could come to me and let me know what he was really planning, what he really expected of his daughter, and it would be beneficial to everyone.”
“Everyone except her father,” Maxim snorts, but you can see the pride on his face because of Oaklynn’s courage.
“Fuck that guy,” Hendrix grunts, his face a mask of fury.
“He put his hands on his daughter? He doesn’t deserve her loyalty.”
“We took her home and that’s where she will remain. Chambers didn’t even notice she was gone until I called him to set up a meeting. He thinks he’ll be controlling my financial portfolio but it’s all fake.”
“You could have just called the deal off considering she was in your home already,” Wolfe points out, a devious look on his face.
“But then Chambers wouldn’t let his guard down. He’d been trying to fight us on the deal. We’d rather him believe that his plan is working.”
“He thought Oaklynn would feed him intel?” Hendrix questions with his eyebrow arched.
“Yeah. He’s not a very smart man,” I point out.
I look at Kirill who gives a small nod.
“He’s already started making moves and making contact as if getting inside information to take us down is already a foregone conclusion. He’s received a large payment already which I assume is for information.”
“I knew it wouldn’t take long.” Kirill’s voice is cold, “Who has he contacted?”
“Lev.”
I let his name drop like a bomb in the room.
We’re all very much aware of who Mikhail’s second is.
Lev is a dangerous guy, but he has nothing on me and the rest of my guys.
The men scrambling for any semblance of power and control are fighting an uphill battle, one that they’re going to lose.
“I’ve already increased security around the house,” Baker cuts into the conversation to add.
“I’m monitoring him closely,” I say the words like a vow.
“He’s going to try to take advantage of the connection with us that he thinks he’s forged, I’m sure of it. He won’t be able to put it off whether he trusts it or not. The man likes to gamble.”
“And fuck trapped women who have no hope of escaping the trauma he’s put them through,” Maxim grumbles the words with disgust written all over his face.
Wolfe and his men freeze with their mouths hanging open for a moment before anger takes over their faces.
I narrow my eyes at Maxim.
He shouldn’t have said that considering their woman was once caught in Morozov’s web.
Maxim, to his credit, winces and gives the men a sheepish look.
He rubs the back of his neck, “I apologize, I shouldn’t have said that. It was crass and inconsiderate.”
“Chambers abused the women Morozov trafficked?” Hendrix is seething as he asks the question, his chest expanding more with each breath as if he can hardly contain his anger.
I let out a sigh, hating to be the one to explain what I found.
“Since we met with him and Oaklynn came to us with the knowledge that her father wanted to use her for inside information, I dived even deeper into the man. Not only was I able to find pictures of him with some of the women Morozov trapped in his trafficking business, but I also found evidence of him auctioning off his own daughter to the highest bidder after Kirill didn’t fall at his feet in gratitude for his offer.”
“Have you been monitoring the site where Chambers posted the sale?” Kirill’s voice is cold, almost detached.
I understand he needs to put a bit of distance between the fact that Oaklynn could have been lost to us and the matter at hand.
Not having Oaklynn in our lives, of her being sold and lost in the void, is too much to consider.
“It’s still up,” I admit and his eyes flash, “but I’ve spoofed it and shut it down to anyone who comes across it, even though Chambers doesn’t know that it’s not live anymore.” I pause and take a deep breath, knowing this next bit of information is going to complicate matters.
“He’s been in contact with Lev.”
Hendrix’s gaze snaps over to mine.
“What about Mikhail?”
“There’s been no direct contact that I’ve found, but if he’s contacted Lev, he might as well have been talking to Mikhail.”
Hendrix nods as he turns thoughtful.
“We need to be immediately briefed with any new information regarding Chambers and his movements.”
I have no doubt that his need for vengeance is riding him hard, but he’s spent years abusing our woman.
We’ll have first blood when the time comes and that’s just how it is.
“Of course,” Kirill promises.
It’s clear he’s about to say something else, before his private line starts to ring.
We share glances because the number of people who have the number is very few.
Baker is quickly tapping on his tablet and then shakes his head.
“It’s not Oaklynn, she’s fine.”
Kirill answers and puts the call immediately on speaker.
“Volkov,” he barks.
“Kirill,” the smooth voice of Angelo Amato comes through the line.
“Angelo,” Kirill’s voice is neutral, “it’s not often that you call me. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve been hearing some rumors around town,” Angelo begins.
“Now, we all know how rumors can be bullshit or all truth. I’d like the opportunity to speak with you and your men, who I’m sure are listening in right now, about the whispers which have reached my ears.”
Kirill glances between Baker, Maxim, and myself.
We all give him various shrugs or looks of indifference.
Angelo isn’t exactly an ally, but he’s not an enemy.
It’s better for everyone if we’re on each other’s good sides.
“I’d be interested in hearing what is going around town right now,” Kirill acquiesces.
“I’ll see you this evening at Second Circle at nine.”
Angelo hangs up and Maxim gets a shit eating grin on his face.
It makes me uneasy.
I narrow my eyes at the man who is always up for some mischief.
“What is that smile about?”
“I need to go shopping for something our woman can wear out tonight,” he answers while already standing and striding out the door, not at all concerned if anyone has anything to say to his declaration.
Kirill lets out a long, suffering sigh.
He’s not the only one used to his brother’s antics, but that doesn’t mean we have to like them.
Apparently, we’ll be going to Second Circle tonight.
With our woman.