Chapter 30

Kraven

Vissarian.

He'd almost died. Because of me. Well, not technically. Because Emiliano had succumbed to promises made by a shady organization with a stupid name.

I sat back in the seat, using the rage that had never left since the attack on my house to keep myself primed. I needed that kind of anger to finish business, including slaughtering the stupid computer tech who'd found himself infatuated with Veronica.

Hell, who hadn't been?

Even Misha had gone out on a date with Veronica, his one real mistake. I'd heard all about it. The way she'd plied him with drinks and they'd shared a night of passion, his confession obviously freeing his soul. He'd been the one to tell her there wouldn't be a second encounter but given her constant appearance in one casino or another, it had been impossible for him to stay away from her. That he hadn't told me still annoyed the fuck out of me, but I knew what it was like to hunger for a woman to the point of true agony.

That's exactly the way I felt about Penny. I'd meant what I'd said to her. I wanted her now more than ever and once Vissarian was out of the hospital and on the way to recovery, I had plans on taking her away to a tropical resort.

Number one on an odd list of desires she'd given me.

What had been left of Emiliano's soldiers holding court on a ship out of Galveston, Texas had been rounded up, bullets put in their brains execution style. Meanwhile, I'd acquired a nice yacht for my troubles, in my absence. I'd wanted to remain in the hospital with both Vissarian and Misha, as well as with the woman who'd just confessed her love. It had become vital that I was close, trying my best to protect all of them.

"I made certain a message was sent out regarding Emiliano's unfortunate demise," Konstantin said from beside me.

"Good. Maybe that will keep the other roaches from thinking they can come into my country and try and destroy my family." I hadn't realized how vehement my statement had been or how loud my voice had gotten until I realized he was staring at me with amusement on his face.

"You need some rest."

I had to laugh. He was right. I was exhausted, furious, and in need of a long hot shower. "I'll sleep when I'm dead."

"That shit is a bad omen. Don't say it."

"I never knew you were superstitious."

"You don't know me that well. There are such things as curses."

At least I could find a way to smile again after talking with my brother. He was alert, in limited pain, and the doctor's concern about brain damage had proven incorrect. The thought I'd almost lost the two people who mattered to me the most had nearly torn me apart. The events had also opened my eyes. I'd taken life for granted. That was going to stop. "I believe you."

"You should," he growled and made a turn. The man had insisted on driving, worried my rage and lack of sleep would be the perfect cocktail for a horrific wreck. I couldn't blame him. "By the way, now that the dust has settled, you gonna let me in on who the fuck this Death Squad is? It sounds like some heavy metal band."

I'd yet to talk to the two members of the Brotherhood, still uncertain if I wanted to join the organization. "Bad news, brother."

"Oh, great. That's all you're going to give me."

"I'll just say a secret organization spread across the world, members unknown but all wealthy and powerful. They use the assassins who attacked us to handle the needed bloodshed so they can keep their identities private."

"Wow. That sounds like some crazy movie."

"Tell me about it. However, I'm beginning to believe everything I learned is very real, the members extremely dangerous." I was more than curious if the Santos men had talked with their birth father. It would be interesting to hear the chatter coming out of South America.

"So what from here?"

"I'm not one hundred percent certain. Did you confirm Rocco's death?"

"Yeah, he was with the girl who used to be Penny's roommate. Apparently, your main squeeze was right about their relationship. I called the police for kicks and giggles."

My main squeeze. I wasn't going to get angry with his use of terminology. I was simply on edge. Until I finished erasing the earth of the scum allowing the attack, I would remain that way.

"You gonna take some time off to regroup?"

"Maybe."

"Mr. Indecisive. I think that pretty girl has you tied up in knots."

While I didn't care for teasing, I knew Konstantin was trying to put me in a better mood.

As he pulled to a stop, I thought about how I wanted to handle the last remaining piece.

For now.

I'd need to talk with the Brotherhood, but not yet. "Is he alone?"

"Yeah, he doesn't suspect we're onto him."

"You're sure he has no idea?"

He threw the gear into park and cut the engine. For this, I hadn't brought a brigade of soldiers. There was no need. "Your decision to install the additional layer of security was a damn good one. That's what I can tell you. Your funds are secure, the resorts running smoothly; there's no issues at the casinos and a diamond shipment had even been cleared for arrival in a day. You're back in regular business without a hitch."

Except for my estate and hotel suite still looking like Swiss cheese. Granted, things could be replaced, but people…

I'd taken killing people lightly. But I'd been reminded why it was necessary.

This was another prime example. "Let's get this over with."

There was nothing special about the little house in a typical neighborhood outside of Vegas. This was an area highlighting how real people lived. In fact, the house was quaint, although not well maintained.

Given it was now dark, I had no fear of prying neighbors. While in my mind I'd pictured all the vile things I wanted to do to the man, I'd made the determination that my time was better spent trying to comfort Penny.

If that was possible.

As I headed for the front door, I gathered a whiff of barbequed chicken on a charcoal grill. The fragrance was distinct and for the first time in days, I felt hunger pains. I wondered if I really could enjoy learning to use the grill. I chuckled from the thought. Maybe. It was worth a try.

I was almost surprised to find the door unlocked. Once I opened it, I could hear the news coming from a television in a room toward the back. I'd yet to select my weapon of choice, preferring to do that when I noticed Hank's eyes when he realized why we were inside his house.

While I loathed men who begged for their lives like sniveling children, those who acted like they had some kind of remorse didn't receive the worst of my wrath.

Sure, it was like the pot calling the kettle black, but I made the rules.

Remaining silent, we both headed for the room where the sound came from, Konstantin keeping closer watch. I found what I was looking for, Hank eating some frozen dinner at the cheap kitchen table while he watched the news. At first, he didn't sense our presence since he had the sound so loud.

It was interesting that the news was highlighting Rocco's murder. Of course, I'd made certain Sylvester's body would only be found if the reef sharks were cut open.

When he finally realized he wasn't alone, he hung his head. "Mr. Sokolov."

I moved around him so I could see his face. It wasn't exactly remorse I was seeing. More like thoughts he should have known better. "Hank. You've been a very bad boy. You sold your soul to the wrong devil."

He seemed hesitant to say anything, which didn't surprise me given what he was up against. However, it was his one chance to make his punishment as painless as possible.

"You don't have anything to say for yourself?" I asked after glancing at my counselor, who seemed amused.

"Yeah," he said, a little more remorse in his voice. Then I'll be damned if the bastard didn't grin as if he'd gotten one over on me. "Now that they have you in their sights, you'll never know when they strike next."

I was almost amused. Perhaps he didn't know Emiliano and his thugs were dead. I'd play along. Just for a little while. "Who are you talking about, Hank?" He was having difficulty looking in my eyes.

He took a deep and very ragged breath. Perhaps the man was going to beg for his life after all. Yet when I noticed the twinkle in his eye, the smile on his face, every muscle in my system tensed.

"The Death Squad," he growled. "They're coming to get you." He burst into a strange sounding laugh, as if he was having the time of his life.

Konstantin sucked in his breath audibly before cocking his head.

"Well, we shall see. Won't we?" I asked, smiling as broadly as Hank was doing. "Needless to say. You're fired."

I walked behind him, making the decision how the bastard deserved to die.

As I pulled the piano wire from my pocket, I wasted no time placing it around his neck and jerking.

After finishing, I wiped the wire with one of his dish towels before winding it around my hand and shoving it back into my pocket. "Get a cleanup crew out here."

"Already on it. And we are going to have a discussion on this Death Squad."

"We shall see, Konstantin. We shall see." It would seem the decision as to join the Brotherhood or not had been made for me.

As we walked out into the warm air, I realized how much I couldn't wait to get back to Penny. Yeah, I was falling in love with her.

The thought gave me another real smile.

We piled into the car, Konstantin calling for our elite crew of men and women used to cleaning up difficult scenes. All I could think about was getting back to her. And spending time very much alone.

He'd driven about ten miles when my phone rang. It was Dima, who was in charge of the soldiers at the hospital. "Dima. What's up?"

"I hate to tell you this, boss. She's gone."

"What are you talking about?"

"She slipped through the cracks. We've searched everywhere inside the hospital and the surrounding grounds."

"Who the fuck took her? I want them hunted down."

Dima huffed. "That's just it. She was seen with a bag of items in her hand, Remington by her side heading down the stairs to the parking garage."

She'd left me.

As the reality of what she'd done rushed into my mind, a quiet and very strange calm presented itself. "I want her found. Period."

Two weeks later

"You're certain," I said to Diego. I'd finally made a call, at least deciding to meet with the Brotherhood. Given what Hank had said two weeks before, the digging I'd done and going over the information the Santos brothers had been good enough to send me, I'd realized that I not only owed them a meeting, but myself and my regime as well.

The Death Squad was a real entity, one with teeth.

"Positive. Judge Withers' name has appeared in searches more than once. So has your good mayor. I don't know how you want to handle it or if you do, but the Brotherhood feels certain both men are tied to the organization."

"My father used to say keep your friends close but your enemies closer. I think I'll allow Mayor Peterson to live. However, the judge and I have something more personal to discuss."

Diego laughed. "I understand. We all have our weaknesses."

"Did your birth father have any words of wisdom?"

There was a hesitation and I knew Diego was concerned, whether or not he considered himself close to his father. "My father is a survivor and a murderous bastard. With Emiliano's fall, he's initiated a hunt for the smaller cartels, regaining his full authority over several areas in the country. However, he did issue a warning. The groups of assassins are increasing every day."

That meant the Death Squad was preparing for a possible all-out war. "Understood."

"I'll call you with meeting details but in this case, we'll come to your fair city. Would that be acceptable?"

"Just remember I've yet to make my full decision."

"Understood and wise. Happy hunting."

Hunting. I ended the call, tossing the phone on my desk. Jake's father wasn't the man I was interested in hunting but with Penny disappearing, I refused to allow her past to come back and haunt her.

Anger.

Sadness.

Love.

All three had been my constant friends since my beautiful Penny had managed to slip from my life. I was also heartbroken, although the feeling had morphed into the other three. And I was just as determined to get her back.

I stood where I usually did at this time of day, staring out at the pool where I'd last heard her laugh. Drink in my hand. Darkness in my mind.

I'd hired the finest and most efficient construction company in the city, making certain the estate was no longer a war zone before Vissarian had come home from the hospital. Everything was back to normal, at least as normal as things would ever be again.

At least in my mind.

I'd looked for her, but it had become obvious she'd left the city, stealing what cash I had to do so. After making calls, including to some folks who checked out Roanoke for me, I'd decided that looking for her would be destructive for both of us.

That decision had shattered what was left of my soul.

"Are you going to sulk all day?" I heard Vissarian from behind me. He'd recovered nicely, the doctors telling me more than once he'd been very lucky.

I turned to face him, smiling and shaking my head. The near tragedy had pushed us closer together, which had been the single benefit. "Yes. What about you?"

"Well, I thought I'd go job hunting." He was leaning against the doorframe looking more boyish than usual. He was no worse for the wear after saving my life and almost losing his.

"Oh, yeah? You sure you can drive?"

"Don't need to." He walked into the room, handing me a couple of pieces of paper.

"What's this?"

"My resume. It was about time I put one together."

I was more than impressed and took the kid seriously, more than I had in far too long. As I read it over, I felt such a sense of pride. It was amazing to see how many qualifications he had that I'd looked past, including some internships he'd done all through high school.

"Yes," I said after reading it over twice. "But can you type?"

We both grinned and he walked even closer. "I am serious. I want to work with you. I'm a damn good computer programmer and I can keep what happened from happening again. Plus, I have some pretty nifty gun skills."

He was serious and I wasn't certain how I felt about it, but I knew I wanted him in my world, no matter how dangerous. He would prove more than helpful as we entered our next phase of increasing profits. "You're sure about this."

"Yes, sir, I am."

"Then you're hired."

I'd seen his face light up as a kid, but it had been a long time since. It warmed what little was left of my heart. "Excellent," he exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air.

"We'll talk details in a couple days."

"Not until after you finish business."

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you talking about?"

He took a step closer. "I've never known you to give up on anything. So don't."

"That is?"

"Finding the people responsible for our parents' deaths for one. Yeah, I overheard you talking to Konstantin about what you learned. If you know how to track these bastards down, then do so."

I should be angry with him, but how could I? "I'll do that, but it could take time to bring them to my brand of justice."

"It's been years. Take the time you need to make it right. First, you have more important business. Find the woman you've in love with. Don't allow anything to stop you."

"What?"

"You heard me, brother. It's been obvious for weeks how much you love her and miss her now. She needs you to track her down."

"She made it obvious that's not what she wants."

He shook his head. "For a man your age, you are a dumb shit. Women want you to ply them with romance, to find them if they disappear, shower them with roses, and above all tell them how you feel about them. Things you suck at. I'm serious. Find her no matter what it takes, or you will never have a happy day for the rest of your life."

I studied him for a few seconds and smiled all over again. "Since when did you get so smart?"

"How many times are you going to ask me that? I know women. Too bad you don't."

"Maybe you're right but there's no sign of her, no way to find her."

"Not necessarily," Konstantin said as he popped into my office out of the blue.

"Don't you ever knock?" I growled.

My second in command shrugged. "What? Dima let me in."

"Remind me to talk to him. What are you going on about?"

"I have a couple leads on where your main squeeze might be holing up, starting with a picture of her at one of the casinos in town—no, not yours—where she magically won two hundred thousand and change on a single bet on a slot machine."

"You're kidding me?" I asked, almost laughing.

"Nope. I'm not. Enough to purchase a car, which she did, although nothing fancy. I tracked her all the way to Virginia."

"I looked there. Remember?"

He walked closer, shaking his head. "You don't give me enough credit, boss. I did a little more digging and found some information you might think useful." As he handed me a file, I was determined not to get my hopes up.

But when I looked at the work he'd done, most of which reminded me of a private investigator, I didn't just have hope.

I had determination.

She did belong to me.

"Remind me to give you a raise, Konstantin."

"About damn time."

"Looks like I'm headed to Maryland via a stop in Virginia and DC."

"For what?"

"A hunting expedition. Then I'm going to finish what I should have started weeks ago. I'm going to capture a wife."