Chapter NineteenAlexei

Chapter Nineteen

Alexei

"We need Dominic's help," Mikhail says. My usually expressionless brother looks genuinely worried for once. "You saw what happened today, it could get worse, brother."

I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the wall. I'd seen what happened, I'm still both angry and terrified.

I almost lost Irina today and to think that if I'd just been a second later…I could have lost her. That thought alone awakens emotions in me I did not think I was capable of. Emotions like the fierce need to protect her.

Dominic owes me a favor, but I don't think I'd care if I'd have to grovel at his feet. I'll do anything as long as it leads me to the bastard who hurt my wife.

I take my phone from my pocket and dial Dominic's number. He answers almost immediately, as if he's been expecting my call.

"Well, well, look who is calling," he muses.

We share a sense of humor, Dominic and me. But I'm not in the mood for jokes or petty words. Given how quickly he answered and how he has his ear glued to news all over the city, he most likely knows why I'm calling. "I need something from you, Dominic."

He sighs. "If you need a favor from me then sound like you do, Alexei. I expect a pleasant greeting at least."

Fuck pleasant greetings. I don't have the patience to handle it right now. "My wife was almost killed tonight, and the Phoenix are dominating my territories. I need your help."

He yawns as if I'm muttering the stupidest nonsense known to man. "What do I get in return for my help, Alexei?"

"You owe me. It's time to repay your debt."

There is a moment of silence, then the sound of whiskey being poured in a glass. "You're becoming a lot better at mafia politics. I'm impressed."

"I learned from the best. Less than perfect is not an option," I say. While I'd grown up with my father, I heard a lot about Dominic. He was all my father ever talked about because Domonic was his archnemesis. I'd been intrigued and wanted to know all about the man who could trigger such bitter and fearful reactions out of him. And when I eventually met Dominic, I finally understood why.

"Don't tell me you modeled yourself after your asshole of a father," Dominic drawls. "It will hurt my feelings."

"I'd rather be a decomposing corpse than be the man my father was." I don't tell Dominic it is he himself I learned from. "Are you going to help with or should I make you owe me for the rest of your life."

"Disrespectful child. I'll find out what I can, but do not expect anything else."

"I won't," I assure him.

"I'll reach out if I find something," is all he says before he hangs up. He doesn't want me to have my hopes high, but I believe he'll find something.

Dominic is not the type of man who enjoys being indebted, and he's also not the kind of man who would give up before finding what he's searching for. He has his eye on the entire city, nothing that enters gets past him undetected.

"What did he say?" my brother asks, watching me anxiously.

"He'll find the leaders of the Phoenix." I step away from the wall. "Let's hope he finds something interesting."

He nods.

"I'm going back to my wife. Sleep here if you want, and tell that asshole Nikolai to stay alert."

"I will."

Irina is asleep when I return to the room.

I stand by the door for a moment, taking in the sight of her peaceful form amidst the chaos that has engulfed our lives. The dim light filtering through the curtains casts a soft glow on her face, highlighting the worry lines that have begun to etch themselves into her features.

I feel a pang of guilt deep in my chest. She shouldn't have to endure all this. She shouldn't have to fear for her life.

Quietly padding over to the bed, I sit down on the edge and reach out to brush a lock of hair away from her face. Irina stirs, sensing my presence even in her sleep. I wish I could protect her from everything, shield her from the dangers that lurk around every corner. But I know that's impossible. All I can do is try to make things right, to keep her safe.

Leaning down, I press a gentle kiss to her forehead, hoping that somewhere in her dreams, she can feel me sitting here and watching over her.

She stirs again, eyelashes fluttering before she opens her eyes to look at me. There is a brief moment of confusion before recognition sets in, followed by relief and a soft glance that washes over me like a healing balm.

"Alexei," she whispers, her voice barely above a breath. "You're here."

I take her hand in mine, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "I am. I will always be here, Irina. I promise you that."

A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and it fills me with warmth. She squeezes my hand, wordlessly conveying her trust and faith in me.

I wonder how we ended up like this. From two people who hated each other with a passion to two people who would do anything for each other. At least I know I would give up anything and everything for her.

***

"Don't make me regret bringing you along," I say to Nikolai, who is sitting beside me and staring at his silver knife as if it's his most prized possession. I know that look in his eyes, he's hungry for blood and won't hesitate to use that knife at the slightest provocation.

He cranes his head to look at me and he smiles manically. "Are you worried I'll kill Dominic Romano."

I smother a laugh. "As much as I think you're a madman, you're nowhere near as crazy as Dominic."

It's been three days since I made that call to Dominic. He called me this morning and told me he'd found out something very interesting, but wouldn't say what. I know it's something serious if he found it amusing.

"You underestimate me, brother," Nikolai drawls. He presses the tip of the knife to the top of his index finger. His smile widens when a bead of blood forms at the tip of the knife. "Perfect."

I shake my head. How do I have a grump for one brother and a madman for the other. "Only a fool would underestimate you, Nikolai Vadim. And I am no fool."

He chuckles. Licking the blood off his knife, he tucks it away in the pocket of his leather jacket. "What will you do with Matteo Volkov when all of this is over?"

I massage my temple. "I haven't thought that far yet. Let's focus on bringing the Phoenix down first."

"He is part of the Phoenix."

"He is my wife's father!" I say sternly. I wouldn't mind killing Matteo. In fact, I would have fun doing it, but that would hurt Irina. I can't stand to see her hurt, and I'd lose my mind if I did something she'll hate me for.

My brother narrows his eyes on me as if I'd just let a secret slip. His brow lifts, and the glare he gives me is accusatory. "Your wife. I thought this was just a contract marriage."

"You told me to give her flowers, fool. Now why would I give flowers to a woman I don't care about?"

"To buy her loyalty. She can help you bring Matteo down."

"Matteo is not the problem. Even if he was, I wouldn't get her involved in this mess." Fierce as Irina may be, she's na?ve and innocent. She does not belong in this dark world, she belongs somewhere she can shine. I'm never letting her go, not putting her at risk is the most I can do for her.

He shakes his head. "She was almost killed three days ago. I'd say she's already pretty much involved."

My fingers curl into a fist. I feel my veins bulge as anger flares to life inside me. "I'll find every one of those bastards and kill them myself."

The driver pulls the car to the car to a stop. A bodyguard opens my door. Just as I slide out, I see Dimitri and Mikhail getting out of another vehicle.

Nikolai walks to my side, staring at Mikhail and Dimitri as they approach us with the same long strides. "They look like they're out for blood," he whispers. His voice is loud enough for them to hear.

"Maybe we are." Dimitri stops in front of me. "Can we trust him?"

"I trust Dominic," I reply. We pass a good number of security guards before we reach the elevator that whisks us up to Dominic's office. My brothers and Dimitri wait outside while I enter the office.

Dominic looks up from his computer and his lips contort into a smug smile. "Finally, we meet again."

I grab the chair across from his and sit on it. "It's not been that long since we last saw each other."

"It's been longer than usual." He scrutinizes me. "Married life looks good on you."

I nod. "It's actually way better than I expected."

"Women, they do that to you." He grins.

I don't have time to discuss married life or women. I'm desperate and anxious right now. It's a struggle to be at peace knowing the Phoenix can get to Irina at any time and hurt her without me being there. "What do you have for me?"

He opens his file and pulls out a folder, which he shoves toward me.

"What is this?" I ask, reaching for the folder.

"Well, take a look." He swivels his chair from side to side, watching me as I flip the first page of the folder open.

The first picture I see is a shot of Paulo, the man I killed. "This is Paulo Ruiz."

Dominic nods. "It is."

"What does his picture have to do with this?" I wonder if the other members of the organization are hunting me and everyone I love as revenge for his death.

Dominic rests his forearms on the table. "You killed him."

"I did."

"Well, it looks like we have wandering ghosts in the city of New York."

I look at the picture again, and then the ones after it. The dates these pictures were taken is boldly written at the bottom of the picture.

"This doesn't make sense." I mean, given Dominic's weird words and the pictures of a man who is supposed to be dead roaming around, it can only make sense if…"He's alive?"

"Healthy too. He even has the stamina for a good lay."

I look more closely at the pictures. I swear my eyes are going to pop out from how wide they are. I can't believe what I'm seeing.

The Phoenix tricked me. They set things up to control me, and they did a pretty good job of it. I can't believe I fell for this and allowed myself to be used like that.

I did everything they wanted because I thought this son of a bitch was dead. Turns out he's not. I tremble with rage as I raise my head. My eyes meet Dominic's. "Where's this asshole now?"

"This picture was taken at his estate, but it's well guarded," he says calmly. "You can't get in, and even if you do, you'd lose your men, and your life."

I don't care about my life. As long as I can get to Paulo. "Tell me."

"I have a better idea." He laces his fingers in front of him and smiles. "There'll be a masquerade this weekend. I learned most of the guests will be members of the Phoenix."

"How do I get in?"

He pulls out four golden cards from a folder and tosses them in front of me. "Here's your ticket."

I narrow my eyes at the cards. "Invitations?"

He nods. "That's the only way you can get in. Don't look so ungrateful, I went to a lot of trouble to get those."

Ungrateful? Laughable. He just gave me the ticket to regain my freedom from the Phoenix and stop their activities on my territory. I would be a fool to be ungrateful. Now I feel like I'm indebted to him.

I pick up the invitation cards, holding them tight, as if my life depended on them, because it does. "Thank you, man. I owe you one."

He shakes his head. "No more debts between us. This is repayment for helping me years ago."

I nod my head. I'm too angry to muster any words. "See you later."

Standing up, I start for the door.

"Alexei?"

I stop and turn around.

"Make sure you get those bastards," he says. We're both not men who show a lot of emotion, but I know he's rooting for me, because that is what friends do. We might not say it out loud, but we both know our connection exceeds mafia business.

I manage a smile. "I will."

My brothers and Dimitri look anxious when I step out to the hallway. Mikhail takes in the gold cards in my hand. "What are those?"

"Let's talk at home." I walk to the elevator and they all follow. Our drive back to the mansion is quiet. Once we're home, we stride to my study where I sit on the chair behind my desk.

Dimitri and Nikolai plop down on the sofa across from me. Mikhail just leans on the wall, his arms and legs crossed.

"Paulo is alive," I announce to the room at large.

"Paulo Ruiz?" Nikolai asks.

I nod. "Turns out he wasn't really dead. All of this was a setup. The fucker is alive." But he won't be for very long. When I'm done with him, he'll be the one begging for death.

Mikhail runs his hand over his head. "Fuck. Those fuckers got us real good."

"They did," Dimitri inclines. He sits up. "What now?"

I take out the invitation cards from my pocket and slam them on the desk. "We're partying, gentlemen. These are invitations for a party Paulo will be attending this weekend. There are four of them."

"Enough for all four of us," Mikhail says. "Won't it be suspicious though? Four men, together, at a mask party."

"What do you suggest?" Dimitri asks.

I sigh, taking a moment to think. Mikhail is right, parties like this one are usually wild. You can smell the lust in the air.

The door to my study creaks open and Irina walks inside. "I have an idea."

All heads turn to her. Had she been listening to use from outside?

"Shoot," Nikolai says.

She smiles grimly. For a second, the woman standing in front of me is no longer my sweet, little wife. The rage and determination in her eyes are as obvious as it gets. "I'll go."

"To the masked party?" Nikolai chuckles. "A lot of things could happen there. Russian roulette, people fucking in corners like animals."

"You mean fucking politicians touching girls against their wishes?" I ask.

Nikolai frowns. "Damn, bro. You don't have to make it so graphic."

"I don't care, I'm coming with," she says sharply. "Which means one of you guys will have to stay back, watch how things go from the outside."

"Sounds like a plan if you ask me," Nikolai says, nodding. Odd how he's so chatty when he's usually not like that during our meetings.

"Which brings me to the second part of the plan." She walks up to my desk and sits on it. "Alexei and I will be going as a couple. So will Nikolai and Dimitri."

Dimitri flinches as if he's just been insulted in the worse way possible. "Why do I have to go? I could just watch how things go from inside."

Irina waves her hand. "No. Mikhail and Nikolai are siblings, it'll be weird pairing them together even it's all fake. And Mikhail is more observant, he's better outside."

"I'm not gay, Irina. I'd rather be paired with a whore with big tits and ass." Nikolai chuckles at his own joke.

I watch all four of them quietly. Irina is not going anywhere near that party. No way, no how.

"Well, you'll have nothing but muscled ass and chest to touch by the weekend, so I suggest you start getting used to it now." She grins. She's clearly having fun teasing them.

Dimitri and Nikolai give each other a disgusted glare.

"You're not going." It'll be a bloody mess if we fail, and it will be dangerous. If that happens, I don't want Irina there. I don't want her to get hurt trying to help me.

She purses her lips and her brow furrows. "I'm not one of your men. I don't take orders from you."

"I run this mafia, not you, Irina. I won't risk your life just to get to that asshole." I stand.

She stops smiling. The look she gives me is desperate and pleading. "Please, Alexei. My father is involved, let me help how I can."

"No, and that is the end of this conversation." I feel her gaze burn my back as I start to walk away.

I don't care if she hates me for this because I'd rather that than watch her get hurt. Fuck, I'd rather anything happen than that.