28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Aleksandr

Night had fallen over the city, a cloak of secrecy and shadows draping itself over every alleyway and street corner. Dimitri and I, accompanied by two of my vors, strode into Club Echo. The air throbbed with the pulsating beat of the music. This hypnotic rhythm synchronized with the heartbeat of the city itself. Throngs of bodies moved, lost in the sound and the moment. Neon lights flickered, casting an ever-changing array of colors onto the dancers, their faces blurred with sweat and euphoria.

A familiar sense of tension coiled within me as we made our way through the sea of bodies. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light refracted into a thousand tiny rainbows by the smoke that hung in the air. Leather booths lined the walls, filled with patrons oblivious to the silent war waging around them.

Dimitri rang the doorbell leading to the VIP area, where a high-stakes poker game was in full swing. I ordered my two vors to wait outside, their eyes sharp for any sign of Vic. The door opened with a creak, and Joey escorted us to the gambling room. Cigar smoke hung in the air, and the click of poker chips mingled with the low murmur of conversation. The air was electric, charged with the weight of fortunes won and lost.

I scanned the room quickly, my eyes narrowing when I didn't see the one face I was looking for. The players, engrossed in their game, barely glanced up as we entered. "Where is Vic?" I demanded of Joey. "You told us he was here."

Before Joey could respond, Sam, a wiry guy with thinning hair and a twitchy demeanor, piped up. "Aleksandr, Dimitri," he greeted with a nod, his eyes flicking around nervously. "Vic was just here but left a few minutes ago."

"Where did he go?" I questioned my voice a growl of frustration. We were so close to getting this motherfucker, and I refused to let him slip through my fingers.

"I don't know. He said he had to use the restroom but didn't return." Sam threw a few chips onto the pile in the middle of the table and then studied the cards he held, his face a mask of concentration.

I exchanged a glance with Dimitri, who nodded in understanding. "I'll check the club," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the background noise.

We moved back into the central area of the club, my anger mounting with every step. The crowd seemed thicker now, the music louder, the lights brighter. It was as if the club itself was mocking our efforts. As we threaded through the crowd, I spotted Sandy near the bar. She was with my man, Ivan, who watched over her as instructed.

She looked up and saw me, and her eyes widened slightly, but she masked her nerves quickly. I motioned for them to join us in a quieter corner, away from prying eyes and ears.

"Sandy," I began, showing her the photo of Vic. "Have you seen this man tonight?"

She glanced at the photo, and I saw a flicker of recognition cross her features. "He was here earlier. I remember because he was acting all paranoid. Kept looking over his shoulder."

"He's dangerous," I said, leaning in closer. "I believe he's the man that killed my brother."

"Oh my God," Sandy murmured, her voice trembling. "Do you think he knows who I am? What if he comes back?" She wrapped her arms around herself, glancing anxiously around the club.

"You're safe with Ivan," I assured her, my tone firm. "But I don't trust anyone in this club, Sandy. I need you to call me the minute you see him again. No one can know you're helping us. Understand?" I glanced around the club, my eyes searching for any sign of Vic. "Ivan, stay with her at all times."

Ivan nodded, understanding the gravity of his assignment. I gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You'll be safe. I won't let anyone hurt you."

She gave me a tight smile, then glanced at Dimitri, who nodded his agreement. She held his gaze a moment before looking around the club again.

My mind raced through our next steps as I exited the club with Dimitri and my vors into the cool night air. The city was our hunting ground and battlefield, with its labyrinthine streets and hidden dangers. We no sooner got into the SUV and drove away when Dimitri nudged me and gestured subtly. "We've got a tail."

I glanced back discreetly and saw a dark sedan following us at a distance. The headlights were a predatory gleam in the darkness. "Let's take a detour," I said quietly. "Somewhere secluded."

We navigated the winding streets, leading our pursuers away from the bustling areas. Dimitri's grip tightened on the steering wheel as we headed toward a deserted stretch of road by the docks. The other car followed as I had anticipated.

"Be ready," I told Dimitri and my vors as we stopped. The air here was different, colder, with the tang of salt from the nearby sea. We stepped out, guns in hand, pointing them at the approaching car. The sedan rolled to a stop, and for a moment, there was only the sound of our breathing and the distant hum of the city.

The car doors opened, and two men stepped out with their hands up, trying to look non-threatening. I recognized them immediately – they were Adachi's men. The tension in my chest coiled tighter, ready to strike. Two more men got out of the backseat, their guns drawn but not aimed at us.

"Relax," one of the men said. "We're not here for trouble."

Dimitri's eyes narrowed, but he didn't lower his weapon. "Then what are you here for?"

The car's back door opened again, and Haruto Adachi stepped out. As always, he was a picture of calm, his sharp suit pristine, and his expression unreadable. "Aleksandr," he said smoothly. Let's not escalate this."

My blood boiled at the sight of him. "You tried to kill me, killed my cousin, stole from me, and shot my woman," I snarled, not lowering my gun. "You think we can just talk after that?"

Dimitri's eyes darted in my direction, but he said nothing.

Adachi raised his hand placatingly. "I'm sorry about the woman. It wasn't supposed to happen. And I'm sorry about your cousin. But we don't have to have a war, Aleksandr. Neither of us wants that. We can both profit if we work together."

Profit. Always about the money with him. I wanted to put a bullet in his skull for what he'd done, but he was right about one thing: a war would damage both our families. "Work together? You stole from me," I hissed. "You stole millions of dollars from me."

Adachi nodded slowly. "I have it on good authority you tortured my man into telling you where I'm storing the paintings and drugs. I assume you killed him once he gave you the information." Waving his hand in the air dismissively, he continued. "That's water under the bridge. I can be reasonable. I'll return it all to you – every cent - if you agree to have me handle distribution."

I sucked on my front teeth, weighing my options. The idea of putting a bullet between his eyes was still very appealing. "I might be willing to talk. We will discuss the distribution logistics when you return everything that belongs to me." Adachi grinned widely, making my stomach turn. I will never like or trust this man, but having the Yakuza on my side is good for business.

"But first, we need to settle the score."

Adachi's smile faded in understanding. He turned to one of his men and motioned for him to step forward. The man looked terrified, glancing between Adachi and me. "Give me your gun," Adachi ordered.

The man hesitated, then handed his gun to Adachi, who offered it to me. I took it, feeling the weight of the cold metal in my hand.

"This is the man that killed your cousin and shot the woman. Do what you need to do," Adachi said, his voice steady. "But remember, this will settle the score."

I aimed the gun at the man, who visibly trembled. The fear in his eyes was almost pitiable, but pity had no place here. This was about sending a message. I fired, the gunshot echoing through the night. The bullet hit the man square in the chest. His eyes widened in shock as a dark red circle appeared on his shirt.

I fired the gun again. This time, the bullet bore into his forehead, killing him instantly. The man crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Adachi didn't flinch. He knew this was the price of our truce. "Now," he said, "can we talk?"

I handed the gun back to him, my heart still pounding with anger and adrenaline. "We'll talk," I said coldly, "when you return my belongings. But there won't be any negotiations if you cross me again."

Adachi nodded with a vile smile, and I knew he understood. This was far from over, but we had a fragile peace for now. As we returned to our vehicles and drove away, I couldn't help but think of Talia and Andrey, and the price they had paid. This was our world, where blood and betrayal were the currency, and trust was rare and precious.

Dimitri glanced at me as we drove back into the city. "You think Adachi will keep his word?"

I shook my head slightly. "Trust is a luxury we can't afford. We'll be ready for whatever comes next."

As the city lights blurred past, I knew one thing for sure: in this game of power and survival, only the ruthless would emerge unscathed. And I will always be one of them.