Chapter 26 - Benedikt

Tension kept my muscles tight as I pulled up to the scene, unable to shake the unrelenting worry and rage that gripped me like a vice.

After managing to get a more precise location for the Ivanovs, our teams were poised nearby, not engaging yet but keeping an eye on them to make sure they didn’t leave.

Although, they didn’t seem all that bothered. In fact, the place was low-key. I half expected it to be an all-out war, but from what I could tell at a distance, it was just the twins as they stood near an overpass, keeping themselves hidden on the outskirts of the city.

Despite how a sense of urgency kept me in a constant state of unease, I couldn’t move at first as I turned the engine off and looked down at them from our position. The parking lot overlooked a small ravine beneath the highway, where the twins were waiting on the concrete stoop that led down to the water as if they had all the time in the world.

I wanted to rush down there with all of our men at once, but something didn’t feel right about that. Even if it might’ve been the quickest route, it seemed like the wrong one.

Ari glanced between me and the twins below. “What are you thinking?”

I considered his question for a moment as I gripped the steering wheel absently. “They aren’t surrounded by manpower like they should be…and they’re waiting for us.”

“You don’t think they mean to trap us with an ambush?”

Evaluating the scene, I tried to see it from every angle, and while his support was evident in his company, I could sense the knowing in his tone. Like it was another test of both my judgment and my resolve.

I nodded. “We can’t go in guns blazing—not this time. Keep everyone on standby, but we’ll go in just the two of us. I have the feeling they’re scrambling for something to cling to…and if they’re holding Gemma hostage, then they’ll likely want to make a bargain of some kind.”

Ari offered me a measured nod and hummed. “Good inference. I think you’re onto something.”

There was a steady pride in those words, even if he kept his tone more reserved given the situation. It was validating, but I didn’t have time to think about it too hard. I had spent enough time deliberating already.

“I’ve waited long enough now,” I said, popping the door open as I drew my pistol and made sure it was fully loaded. “I need to see Gemma with my own eyes.”

Ari pulled out his gun, checking it over quickly before he followed my lead and propped the passenger door open. But he hesitated before heading out as he met my gaze. “Remember, Benedikt. Don’t fold just because they have Gemma. Keep your head clear and bargain as you need to. Consider every aspect before you agree to anything.”

Taking in his words, I didn’t feel an ounce of doubt or indifference from his tone—only the reminder of his complete faith in my ability to navigate the difficult situation. It was a genuine piece of advice that I stored in my mind.

“I will. Because of this, any association they might hope to have with us will be axed to preserve our own business, but I’ll do whatever I can to get her back.”

There was no denying how precarious the situation was—I had to balance both aspects of my life to not only maintain the integrity of the family business but also to make sure that my wife was safe.

I understood that seeing Gemma might weaken my resolve and encourage me to make a brash decision just to get her back, but I had no intention of giving the Ivanovs that satisfaction.

Both pieces had their place in the forefront of my mind, and I felt centered enough to handle it.

I didn’t have much of a choice at that point. I had to be careful, and I needed to make sure I didn’t let the scales tip too far in one particular direction.

The outcome of the situation was resting on my shoulders, and I didn’t take that lightly.

Understanding, Ari nodded. “Then let’s give them hell. I’m behind you.”

Grateful to have my older brother’s support, I let that determination drive me forward, and we both exited the vehicle, prepared to stand our ground against the twins.

As we approached, it felt strange to just walk in. Normally, we had more than enough men backing us up to maintain a sense of confidence and assurance that regardless of what happened, our forces would move in and neutralize our targets to ensure they didn’t live long enough to cause any more trouble.

But knowing it was the two of us against the two of them seemed to add another layer of pressure. Not only did I have to consider Gemma’s life as well as my own, but also Ari’s. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to him, especially while he was showing his confidence in my ability to take control of the situation.

As we closed in, guns drawn and aimed at the twins with less heat than usual, they both turned around and acknowledged us.

From behind them, Gemma was tucked beneath the overpass in the shade, arms bound behind her back and looking exhausted. Yet from what I could tell, she wasn’t harmed, and that was enough to soothe my frayed nerves somewhat.

Still, I wouldn’t be back to normal until I knew they weren’t a threat to her anymore. I needed that reassurance, and I wouldn’t rest until it was over.

“Ah, the two eldest Levov brothers,” Adrik said with a smug smile as he aimed his gun in Gemma’s direction, finger cruelly resting against the trigger. The sight alone made my blood boil more than watching as Alina aimed between us with a guarded gaze.

At the realization that we were there, immediate relief flooded Gemma’s eyes when she met my gaze. Yet it was tempered with concern, aware that despite my presence, the situation was far from over. We still had to handle the most difficult part.

Even so, I did my best to muster up as much reassurance as I could and allowed her the chance to see it through my eyes. I wanted her to know that I was prepared to do anything for her. That she was an important person in my life, and I needed her.

“You made us wait long enough,” Alina mumbled, unimpressed as she took us in.

Ari was a sturdy, calm presence on my left as he focused on her while I stayed trained Adrik, should he make any sudden moves. After his many years of running our empire and guarding it against adversaries, he knew how to remain composed and weigh his options—something I was still learning how to do more effectively.

“You laid quite the trail for us. Forgive us for having to navigate it first,” he replied with a confident ease.

From the jump, we were in a standoff. Any wrong move could trigger a spray of gunfire and result in unnecessary deaths that I didn’t want on my hands.

Even if I wanted the Ivanovs to pay for what they had done and to remind them of their place in the grand scheme of things, I wasn’t necessarily out for blood. That wasn’t the goal, but if it came down to exactly that, I wouldn’t have any qualms about it, either.

I had to be calm and collected. I had to think. Focus.

Pulling in a discreet breath, I wore an indifferent mask.

Surely, they already knew how important Gemma was to me and the leverage that offered them, but I didn’t want them to assume I would simply lie down and deal with it.

“Now that we’re here, hand my wife over or risk being put down under this highway,” I directed them, voice level and full of conviction. “You’ve had her long enough.”

Despite how they seemed to understand I wasn’t there to banter or waste time, expressions turning more serious, there was still an air of confidence about them, presumably because they had my wife in their possession.

Alina looked at me squarely. “We aren’t here to be put down like dogs, Benedikt. We’re here to make a bargain, and you might want to hear us out to save your little wife.”

While the insolent inflection in her voice made my blood boil, I held it in.

I had been right, after all. With the article and the risk of being found out by authorities, they had no choice but to turn to us with their tails in between their legs, seeking a scrap of whatever they could get just to hang on a little longer. They were using Gemma as a bargaining chip.

Even if it was clear, I still couldn’t let my guard down. I didn’t know just how desperate they were feeling, or if that left them feeling particularly trigger-happy. For Gemma’s sake, I couldn’t aggravate them.

“Alright,” I said, maintaining my composure as I looked between them, trying not to focus on Gemma too much and risk losing the poker face required at that moment. “What terms are you proposing?”

Alina looked almost surprised by my willingness to hear them out, though she shouldn’t have been. They had my wife, and I wanted her back. That was obvious enough.

Then, she let that brief expression slip to reveal the more sincere yet demanding look beneath it. “We are proposing that you and your family use your Levov leverage to get that damn article redacted and force the newspaper to issue a public apology to clear our name. Eliminate us from the equation, as we should’ve been from the start.”

I examined her for a long moment as I considered her terms. “Blackmailing the newspaper into complying shouldn’t be too difficult. I’m sure we could grease some palms. But why do I have the feeling that isn’t all?”

She allowed her lips to curl in the faintest smirk as she continued. “Perceptive. While you accomplish this, taking the heat off our backs, you will also find a way to bridge the gaps between us and the other powerful families out there. Many of our relationships have been severed because of this incident, but we’re seeking to boost our position now.”

My eyes narrowed slightly as I studied her further, trying to search for every angle she might have. While that condition didn’t sound too difficult to accomplish either, I knew it wasn’t in our best interest.

They managed to skirt by for quite some time without having much of a prevalent image among the crime families. They got what they needed through their own means and secured alliances with some more reclusive groups, earning them modest recognition, but we made sure they didn’t get in too over their heads.

By then, we knew how to sniff out anyone who wanted to expand and dominate the space more than we were willing to let slide, and if it posed any sort of risk to our own business, then we ensured our longevity by restricting their influence with our own.

And given how I didn’t want the Ivanovs to believe they won in any capacity, unwilling to even remotely share that space with them, I couldn’t let them rise. They needed to be snuffed out, as there was a high chance they would just keep pushing and pushing.

After the trouble they caused and their underhanded method of trying to corner us into making a bargain, I had no interest in conceding to them.

“If you can manage to meet those terms swiftly, then we’ll hand over your precious wife. No problem,” Alina added, sounding sure about some kind of impending success.

Her faint grin was smug despite the lingering seriousness underneath—the faintest display of just how much they were depending on our cooperation.

From what I could tell, they were in a difficult position. Seeing how they wanted us to boost their reputation with the other families, they had been hurting after the article came out. It made sense since it was highly likely the others would distance themselves to maintain their images.

Even if they felt like they had the upper hand in the situation with Gemma being in their possession, they were desperate. They needed this bargain to stay afloat.

As much as I wanted to believe they would be true to their word, since they were in no position to take us on, I still couldn’t trust them, and I never would.

They weren’t business partners I wanted to keep—that much I was certain of.

“While the redacted article I can swing, you’ve lost me with the second part,” I said, unwavering. “You crossed the line by encroaching on our territory and pushing your luck. We gave you ample warning, and you gave us your word you’d pull back. Blame that article all you want, but it wasn’t what triggered all of this. It’s in our right to put you back in your place.”

As I expected, neither of them looked pleased with this response, their smugness dropping completely.

Adrik shook his head and clenched his jaw, visibly angry. “That isn’t enough. Even you should know that, Levov.”

I gave the slightest shrug of my shoulders, not budging regardless of what they thought. “It’s all I can do. We’ll take that target off your back, but beyond that, it’s up to you to either sink or swim. Final offer.”

As composed as Alina had been, I caught as that confidence slipped slightly, and she exchanged a glance with her brother.

While I expected her to be the one to hold out, determined to make the best possible deal with us, a look of consideration moved through her. Her eyes betrayed that moment of weakness.

“We do need the heat off us…” she murmured as if trying to convince him to agree with her. “With the article gone, we’ll stand a better chance at getting out of this.”

But Adrik scoffed as he scowled. “It isn’t enough—you know that. Our reputation has been dragged through shit ever since that article was published, and the other families will never take us seriously now. To them, we’ve been compromised. We need their confidence, and only the Levovs can make that happen.”

Alina wasn’t impressed with his outburst, and she snarled back, “It is enough. Having the article redacted was our original term, and it’s fine. We can make do.”

While she seemed more than ready to put the whole situation behind them, Adrik certainly wasn’t.

“No,” he muttered, backing up until his gun was pressed against Gemma’s temple, grabbing her arm roughly. “Why take measly crumbs when we can have the entire buffet?”

At her wince, I stiffened and pointed my pistol in his direction, eyes focused completely on him. Ari stood his ground too, unwavering in his presence.

“Don’t move another muscle,” I growled, teeth gritted in warning.

His physical threat put me more on edge, aware that his angered state made him more volatile.

Without a doubt, I was feeling that pressure.

Gemma was my first priority, and I had to make my next move without compromising her.