Chapter 15
Moscow
Nikolai
I’d left Moscow years ago as Sacha Federov. I returned as Nikolai Lenkov. Was there a difference? Some who’d known me in the past would likely say no. However, I knew the answer better than anyone.
Maybe I’d simply grown older or had grown tired of the violence. While my training and the indoctrination my adopted father had insisted on had remained in the forefront of my mind, taking lives without hesitation no longer seemed easy.
While I’d always known what my brother was capable of, I hadn’t expected that he would betray his blood right or his father.
Some of what Dimitri said nagged at my gut.
Maybe I had been a fool leaving. If I’d stayed, perhaps vengeance could have been served.
I’d made a choice to return and I would do what was necessary in order to regain the Federov honor.
If I died in the process, it wouldn’t be in vain.
Although my heart remained cold and broken. Leaving Chloe had been the hardest thing I’d had to do my entire life. No amount of torture I’d endured, or the horrible days spent on the street as a boy could compare. Seeing the pain on her face had been enough to tear me apart.
Especially after I’d said the words that I’d promised myself wouldn’t be uttered.
I love you.
I’d known the moment I’d spouted them off that they would cause her additional pain. I’d been right.
Sadly, I had to push aside my joy of loving her. There could be no emotion, no regret or I’d make mistakes and that was something I refused to do.
If Michail had been a part of my father’s murder in any way, the motherfucker wasn’t going to get away with years of madness and betrayal.
As I sat drinking bitter coffee at the meeting spot, I watched the people on the street.
They had no way of knowing that very soon a bloody war would occur on their streets, the two families finally clashing after decades of sparring.
We should have destroyed the Petrovs years ago.
Maxim had refused, perhaps a part of him thinking that two powerful entities could control opposite sides of the country. That alone had likely been his demise.
I noticed the figure approaching and slipped my hand inside my jacket. I’d managed to secure a black-market weapon as well as several rounds of ammunition, but that would only serve me for a short period of time. What I was doing would take my former army standing behind me.
If they would.
As Ivan entered the coffee shop, I noticed he scanned the facility.
Always on duty. My call to him from another burner phone just prior to my departure from the States had been interesting.
The information he’d provided confirming what I’d already known.
He’d been forced to sequester during a raid headed by the Petrovs.
At least he’d been able to provide additional details I considered vital in order to annihilate the enemy.
Michail’s odd behavior had been all about his treachery to the Federov organization. Then the man had disappeared the same day I’d killed Dimitri. That only added to the rage that remained inside of me.
Ivan noticed my location, approaching slowly. Then he grinned when I rose from the chair.
“Rodnoy brat,” he huffed in Russian as he embraced me, slapping his hand on my back. The man had aged significantly, but that was to be expected in the harsh environment. At least he’d managed to survive after all these years.
While I’d never considered him a brother as he’d just called me, his help years ago had proven to be invaluable. I owed him my life. “Ivan. I can’t say it’s good to be back.”
“Ah, English. You are truly an American now.”
I motioned toward the other seat, gazing out the window to ensure he hadn’t been followed. “I learned to enjoy the freedom.”
He followed my gaze, chuckling as he sat down, sliding a duffle bag under the table in my direction. “You haven’t lost your touch. Always cautious.”
“You know exactly why it’s necessary.”
Leaning over the table, he lowered his voice. “Yes, as I warned you, there are dozens of Petrov soldiers already in position.”
Exhaling, I continued to try to figure out a plan. “And Michail?”
“There has been no sign of him. There was also no sign of a struggle indicating he’d been taken.”
“Interesting. It would appear he’s working with the Petrovs.”
“How would you know?” There was a glimmer in his eyes as if he already knew the answer.
“Let’s just say I was tipped off by Dimitri Petrov.”
He chuckled, the gleam remaining in his eyes. “So Dimitri’s disappearance was your doing. As you might imagine, the rumors were fascinating to hear. You might just be considered a legend.”
It wasn’t a question but a knowing statement, although the sentiment wasn’t something I’d wanted to hear. “I did what was necessary, especially after he attempted to end my life.”
He studied me intently for several seconds. “The beard looks good on you. I can see a difference in you.”
“Perhaps, but the hunger hasn’t changed. Did you bring what I asked for?”
“Of course. You should have everything you need.”
“And the soldiers?”
His hesitation pissed me off. “Only some are eager to talk with you. As you can imagine, your disappearance sent a message to the men.”
“Yes, one of weakness.”
“You’d be surprised, my friend. Many understood your challenge. They simply hoped you would be capable of putting your brother in his place.”
As I should have done all those years ago.
“The meeting with the soldiers needs to occur. What is the word on the street?”
Ivan looked uncomfortable as hell. “That there’s going to be a strike on the city within two days.”
With an attack so imminent, I had little time to organize a full plan. “Then I want the meeting later this afternoon.”
“Of course. I’ll set it up. Do you have a place to stay?”
“Don’t worry about me, Ivan. I’ve forgotten very little about my training.” The last thing I was going to do was tip my hand to anyone. And there would be no trust. I’d learned far too many lessons over the years.
“You really do remind me of your father when he was younger.”
For some reason, I bristled just hearing anything about my father. While Ivan knew I wasn’t blood, he’d been one of the few men who’d accepted my position within the organization as I’d grown older. For that, as well as his protection of my father, I’d respected him.
“You do know the anniversary of your father’s death is coming up,” he added.
“Yes.”
I hadn’t visited the grave since he’d been buried; the thought of mourning him in an old cemetery by a block of stone had been too much to bear.
Ivan snorted as he glanced out the window. “When the Petrovs learned of Dimitri’s death, there was an additional price placed on your head. You were found guilty immediately.”
As I’d suspected would happen.
“So you were aware of the assassination demand.”
“You forget who you are dealing with, Sacha. Very little has changed since you left. There are two distinct sides just like before. They have always been prepared for battle. There will always be the hunger for more territory as well as power. I will advise you one last time to return to your new country.”
“As you said, there will be a bigger price on my head. I’m no longer willing to live my life in shadows. It’s time to finish what should have occurred within days of my father’s murder. Michail needs to be punished for his treachery.”
He locked eyes with mine, shaking his head. “You should have ascended to the throne.”
While I wanted nothing more than to tell him the world that I’d lived in wasn’t a kingdom, I’d come to realize that it was exactly like a monarchy. “Establish the meeting. Then be prepared. We are going to war.”
There was no doubt Ivan realized he’d been dismissed.
After easing back, he gave me a respectful nod.
I could tell there was something else he wanted to say. “What’s on your mind, Ivan?”
He seemed uncomfortable, more so than I was used to seeing him. “There are reasons your brother never accepted his leadership role.”
“And that would be?”
“He’s the son of your father’s mistress.”
I wasn’t surprised that Ivan spouted off the words.
While I hadn’t been for certain of Michail’s lineage, the remembrance of the conversation I’d overhead between my father and brother had brought the possibility to light.
After all, my father had enjoyed several women over the years.
“My brother is the firstborn and only son of Maxim Federov. You’ve known that from the day you agreed to honor my father by working with him.
I suggest you remember that, Ivan.” I gave him a hard look, searching his eyes.
“I am glad you’re back, Sacha. Your counsel has been sorely missed.”
I didn’t answer him. There was no need. Soon, Moscow and all of Russia would learn that fucking with the Federov Empire wasn’t in their best interest.
And soon, those who’d been responsible for the treachery would learn their fate.
* * *
My father’s house. I stood outside the estate, forced to endure several unwanted memories.
While I felt extreme sadness, I also had a moment of reverence.
I’d been one of the lucky ones, even though the majority of Russians might disagree.
Being taken under his wing had at least provided me with the necessities in life as well as a solid education.
I took a deep breath before entering the mansion.
The various remaining Brigadiers as well as the made men had been summoned.
I’d already learned that their numbers had dwindled over the years, certainly not the force my father had commanded.
That was due to Michail’s unusual leadership skills.
I didn’t need to learn the details. My brother was a brutal man, exacting revenge on anyone who looked at him the wrong way.
Given my brother’s possible defection, at least his betrayal had fueled their anger.
Or so I hoped.