40. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Nikolai
A fter a drive full of Percy speaking at me about “ The Falcon ”, we finally pull up to the air-field. Hangars holding private jets and helicopters stand in rows like looping hills. The soft light of the moon reflects off them, pooling the surrounding area in shimmering green light.
“Where is everybody?” Breathes Camilla, peering out from my tinted windows.
“They don’t know we’re coming, but Don Leonardo will have prepared something. He’s a paranoid bastard.” I load my gun, wishing it was something automatic.
Percy sits in the back next to Anton, with an ancient rifle across his lap. It looks like it might explode the moment he pulls the trigger. He’s more likely to kill one of us than anyone he aims that thing at.
I glance back at him. “When was the last time your were in combat?”
He scratches his balding head. “Hmmm. Maybe thirty years?”
I close my eyes and pinch my brow.
It’s better than nothing.
“Okay. Just follow my lead and try not to get yourself killed.”
“I know what I’m doing.” He shakes his head like a pensioner refusing to eat food he’s not prepared for himself.
I whistle and Anton follows me out of the car, leaving Camilla and Percy alone for a moment. She doesn’t want to show it, but she’s terrified for her husband. He must be the same, even if his blind confidence in “ The Falcon ” seems genuine. I turn my head in respect as they embrace each other.
What happens even if I save Isabella? What if she doesn’t want to be saved? Maybe she’s changed her mind? When a girl shoots you, that’s usually a pretty good sign she’s not into you…
I can’t think like that. I’ve seen parts of her she never wanted anyone to see, things that made her hide like a child. But that doesn’t change anything. She makes me feel alive. Feel safe. I’ve seen the other side of her. I’ve heard her sing. I’ve seen the way people fight for her, the way even Greyson and Adrienne fell in love with her. She’s someone so special. Someone who deserves more than her family can ever give her. I’ll give her the world, or die trying.
My car door clicks shut and Percy appears next to me, a more serious look on his face.
“Don’t lie to me. What are our chances?” the old man’s eye twinkles with the past.
“Not good.”
“Will I see my wife again?” tears and a hint of fear brim in his eyes for the first time.
“I can’t promise you anything.”
I hold his gaze, and after a moment, Percy nods.
“Well, if we’re about to die, there’s something I need to know.”
“Dead men tell no lies.” I say gruffly.
“Why did you burn down The Blue Moon?”
I shake my head and grit my teeth. “I didn’t.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Percy snaps. “I recognised your friend. The short fella, with the beard.”
“I don’t organise jobs like that. It’s not my area. My Pakhan says Boris betrayed us.”
“Pakhan?”
“It means boss.”
“Did he? Betray you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I think it’s the Pakhan. I think he wanted Isabella out of the picture. It has something to do with the O’Shea’s. Either they wanted revenge on Isabella and he promised to send her back to her father, or he got rid of her to try to keep peace with the Italians. He probably thought the only way to stop a war and keep me was to send her back. He just wasn't expecting her to shoot me.”
"Isabella shot you?"
"Yeah."
The old man grins, and if he wasn't my only back-up I'd have hit him for it.
“Do you have any proof of all that?”
I have all the proof I need.
“My gut is always right.”
“So, if we survive this mess, what are you gonna do?”
I tense my jaw, squeezing the gun in my hand so tight it might crack. “I’ll wait until the moment is right, and then I’ll make him pay.”
Percy nods, a glint of fear flashing through his eyes. He looks over at the hangars. “Well, what are we waiting for?”
I check my watch. Quarter-to-ten. “A friend.”
Percy flashes a confused look then, as if on cue, the purr of an engine cuts through the silence of the night. The wheels crunch across the ground as the car pulls up next to mine.
When the door opens, and he steps out, I can’t suppress my smile.
“This is the army, then? A pensioner and a dying man?” Viktor’s booming voice chases away the anxiety trying to gnaw its way into my stomach.
I hug my old friend. “I knew I could count on you. You think Alek bought the act?”
Viktor shrugs. “I don’t give a fuck if he did. Adrienne topped all his whiskeys up to triples and Greyson promised me he’d keep him busy if the drink wasn’t enough to distract him.”
Viktor doesn’t waste any more time before opening the boot of his car and handing out the automatic rifles and body armour he’s brought with him.
“What changed your mind?” I ask.
Viktor pauses. “I knew it was the right thing to do, and how often do we get a chance to do the right thing? My whole life has been one sin after another and… I’ve been seeing a woman. Every time I thought of you coming here alone, all I could think of was whether you would be by my side if the roles were reversed.” Viktor sucks in a sharp breath, glancing around the area. “What kind of force are we looking at in there?”
“I don’t know. Isabella’s cousin could only tell me they were taking off from here, nothing more.”
Viktor nods gruffly. “Then expect all the demons from hell, brother.”
The three of us turn to head into the fire, only to face Camilla standing in our way. Hands on hips, pink nightgown billowing in the wind, she cuts a surprisingly intimidating figure. She points at the remaining set of body armour and weapons.
“Give me that.”
“What?” Viktor’s expression flashes between shocked and bemused.
“If you think I’ll let my husband run into a war without me, AGAIN.” She shoots a look at Percy. I don’t even want to know the history behind, “then you’re sorely mistaken.”
Viktor looks at Percy.
“If you think it’s up to me, then you haven’t been married, son.”
I walk over to Camilla, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Have you ever shot before?”
“When I was younger, Percy and I used to go to shooting ranges. It was a de-stressor.”
Normally, I’d never let a civilian join me on a job, especially one with no experience, but right now we’re desperate. We need all the help we can get. She’s doing it for Isabella. Who am I to stop someone trying to save a person they love?
“I won’t stop you, but if you come with us, I need you to stay at the back. Isabella would never forgive me if I got you killed.”
Camilla nods, putting on a brave face that’s humbling to see. I’ve tortured enough people in my life to know the strong from the weak - you can see it in their eyes. Camilla is that rare type who would never break.