Chapter 5
Nikolai
“If you think you’re ever going to lead my men, you’re wrong, brother. You are nothing. You were born as scum. You’ll always be nothing but a rat crawling through the streets, feasting on leftovers. Hell, if you learn to be a very good boy, I might even toss you a few scraps.”
I would never forget my brother’s nasty words only moments after realizing our father had been slaughtered. I’d vowed then that one day, he and I would face off in a battle that would end only one way.
With. His. Death.
After taking a deep breath, I stormed into the room, finally realizing she’d fallen asleep on the couch.
While I felt a sense of relief, I was forced to realize that the situation would soon become critical.
I’d kept enough contacts to realize that Russia was in dire conflict, another devastating war about to take place.
While the Petrov regime had been on the forefront of making claims on territories, there’d also been others equally as powerful.
Whatever war was about to start would likely mean extermination of thousands of innocent lives.
I walked closer, controlling my breathing. If my calculations were correct, I’d have a maximum of twelve hours before I needed to make some decisions that would affect the rest of my life. Daunting but doable.
Yet the anger continued to increase.
I gathered Chloe into my arms, my body remaining tense. When she murmured in her sleep, the sound a beautiful and soft purr, I inhaled, gathering a whiff of her sweet fragrance. She seemed small in my arms, not the rebellious girl who’d stood up to the bastards at the diner.
Her eyelids fluttering open, she peered up at me, slowly placing her hand on my chest. Then she offered a slight smile, as if she anticipated I would protect her.
Sadly, she had no idea that a monster held her in his arms.
I carried her up the stairs, moving into the shadows of my bedroom and placing her on the bed.
After pulling the covers up to her chest, I remained standing over her.
Even in the slender light of the moon, the shimmer streaming across her face accented her natural beauty.
She was young and fresh, not yet tainted from the evils of this world.
It was unfortunate that she would be forced to learn the hard way that life was nothing more than living in a precious glass bulb.
Once broken, there was no way to return to pretending as if good could conquer evil.
I brushed a strand of hair from her face then thought about my next steps.
First things first, gather enough weaponry and activate every monitor instead of the single one I used on a regular basis.
I left the door open, checking on her one more time before jogging down the stairs.
After moving into my den, I reopened the hidden passage, walking inside.
From the day I’d moved into the house, I’d equipped every inch of the perimeter as well as the building with cameras.
Undetectable, they allowed me to see every angle as well as good portion of the street. The alarm was silent but effective.
No one could step foot on the grounds without my knowledge.
I studied each one, making certain the angles were placed exactly where I wanted them then shifted my attention to the weapons.
I grabbed two canvas duffles, dragging them into the office and dumping them on my desk.
As I began to select the necessary equipment, I fell into an old routine, one from well over ten years before.
I’d remained in bunkers made of dirt and rubble for extended periods of time, using various reconnaissance methods while locating and securing rogue soldiers and enemies.
I’d been damn good at what I did, capturing one hundred percent of my targets.
That’s why I’d been given the nickname of the Butcher, my affinity for the use of knifes both skilled and widely known.
Silent.
Deadly.
Perfection.
I stood in front of the various knifes I’d purchased over the years, including risking being identified by purchasing several while performing my job as a professor.
As I selected a few, I thought about my life the last few years.
I’d enjoyed normalcy in a beautiful town where the only games played were a few behind the scenes poker games and politics.
It hadn’t been easy to blend in, but after several months and careful practice, no one paid any attention to the huge blond with scary tattoos.
They no longer pointed and stared when I walked into a grocery store. In fact, my classes had become some of the most popular on campus. I chuckled at the thought. I could have had any woman I wanted, but I’d refrained on every level.
Then Chloe had stepped into my classroom.
Her scent lingered on my skin. I brought my hand to my nose, taking a deep whiff, my cock stirring all over again. I’d contemplated approaching her several times, barely able to restrain my dark hunger. Now she was mine. She would soon learn to obey my every desire.
But that would have to wait.
I strapped on two knifes, selecting another two handguns.
Then I grabbed my leg and shoulder holster, slapping in ammunition clips and securing both.
There were other useful items such as smoke bombs and high-grade military grenades.
After searching, I found my night-vision goggles and two long-range scopes, dumping them into one of the bags.
At least I would have enough firepower to last for a full month. I stood staring at the collection, growling under my breath before yanking both zippers.
I’d never forget the day Ivan had rushed into my room only two days after my father’s elaborate funeral.
Tensions had been running high, Moscow on full alert.
Certain government factions still resisting the power and influence of the Bratva had gathered and prepared a full tactical attack if necessary.
The word on the street was they were planning on moving in within days. I’d been prepared, but not for the news Ivan had given me.
My death was imminent, at least six assassins assigned to the job. It was only a matter of time before I made a mistake. I refused to leave at first, determined to right a wrong. However, things had escalated, making it difficult to survive.
I’d been forced to trust Ivan, a man my father had considered his most trustworthy soldier. He’d loved my father almost as much as I had, loyal since the day he’d been allowed into the organization. He’d suffered almost as much as I had but had long since proven his salt.
So, I’d left my beloved country, heading for America. My credentials were already excellent, my ability to obtain a job possible given the support paperwork. Given I was a Federov, there wasn’t a mafia organization within the United States that would dare come after me.
That made this moment even more enraging.
I moved to the safe, punching in my code and grabbing another bag. I’d amassed a tidy sum over the years, cash the only option. I stuffed the entire amount in the bag, adding it to the collection on my desk. This was all I needed in order for us to survive.
A single blip of the security system drew my attention.
Snarling, I took long strides into the room, sweeping my gaze across the various cameras.
A single car approached from the west side of the road.
When the driver slowed a full block away, parking against the curb and immediately turning off their headlight, I switched the vision on the camera, now able to detect any movement by heat.
Within seconds, an outline of the driver appeared, the man walking slowly in the direction of the house.
I yanked one of my weapons into my hand, releasing the safety, my heart pumping hard and fast. While the mystery guest was careful, moving behind several bushes as they advanced, it was obvious they were heading straight for the house.
I continued watching until they were close, then I turned off the light in the room before returning, taking another look.
As the person approached, more details became visible.
I held my breath as the intruder made his way up the driveway, constantly looking over his shoulder.
I could tell the possible assassin was male.
As soon as he was on the stoop, he lifted his head.
Jesus.
Travis.
What the hell was he doing here?
I moved to the door, cutting the security then opening. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“I thought you could use a piece of advice.” Travis glanced over his shoulder again.
Huffing, I yanked him inside, closing and locking the door and immediately rearming the system. “You shouldn’t have come.”
“I think I realized that when you asked me to take care of disposing a dead body. What the hell is going on, Nikolai?”
I motioned him to follow, heading back into my office and switching on the light.
He noticed the two bags, eyeing them for a few seconds before lifting his gaze. His expression was one of concern. “It’s happening, isn’t it?”
“It?” I asked as I returned the gun to my holster.
“They’re after you.” While he said the words in a matter-of-fact manner, I could smell his concern.
“I’m not certain who they are, but I have a situation that must be handled.”
“Look, I did what you asked, but barely managed to take care of it before two goons showed up. Don’t worry. They didn’t see a goddamn thing, but there was no doubt they were hunting for you. They had assault rifles as well as other weapons. They didn’t pay any attention to the girl’s car.”
“Shit. I forgot about her damn car.”
“I take it she’s here.”
I nodded, moving toward the bar and making two drinks. “A necessary but difficult complication.”
“Is this Russia we’re talking about?”
“I’m not certain yet.” The less he knew the better. It wouldn’t matter if I left the city, Travis could still have a target on his back. The mercenaries would leave no stone unturned in their effort to find me.