Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

N ikolay

Tonight, the darkness was soothing.

I was lying on my back, the room completely black. She was curled up next to me and I was caressing her arm, doing nothing more than staring up at the ceiling. The baby communications device allowed me to hear the soft snores Damien was making, which made me smile. I'd fallen asleep but it was impossible to stay that way.

The drama that had unfolded over the last few days continued to weigh heavily on my mind. Being with Chantel helped but I didn't like what was happening, the unknown or the targets being hit.

All the clues that had fallen, including the fact her cousin had dropped a warning, weren't to be taken lightly. One thing I knew. Talking to the girl might give more results than attempting to beat it out of some Cosa Nostra asshole on the street. Today would be a very good day to do that.

I pulled her as close as possible, wondering if I was holding a grenade, my finger where the pin used to be.

My brother also knew something, which was just as disconcerting as everything else. Him purposely lying to me was something I didn't remember occurring before. I would remind him that he'd be nothing without my assistance, including a loan I'd provided years before. Sure, I'd told myself I'd never remind him of it, his payment in return substantial, but I had a feeling a reminder now would be prudent.

She murmured in her sleep, even pressing kisses against my neck. The bed smelled of sex, round two just as vigorous as what had occurred in the kitchen. We'd laughed our way through attempting to make it look as if nothing had occurred. However, the crack in the wooden bowl was definitely something my little boy would eventually see.

He was perhaps the most observant person I'd ever met in my life. I rubbed my jaw as I thought about how many changes had occurred in my life and his in a short period of time. I hadn't allowed a woman to spend the night since he'd arrived. Even before that, I'd shied away from allowing any female into my private worlds, including the beach house in Sagaponack. That place was special to me, a getaway only two people knew about: Vadim and Aleksander.

Sighing, I couldn't help myself, pulling away and rolling over just enough I could kiss her lips while she slept. As well as have my way with her still perky little nipples. God, they were rock hard. I sucked first one then the other, once against relishing her soft purrs and the way her lips twisted.

After she let off an intense sigh seconds later, I found myself grinning like a kid. I returned to my back, folding my arm behind my head. It wasn't long until the first small rays of morning light filtered in through the open blinds. It was funny how I'd made certain all blinds were closed prior to the darkness settling in.

Last night, nothing else had mattered but being with her. And she adored staring at the stars. I chuckled, doing my best not to wake her. I doubted I'd achieve extra sleep. I might as well go back to the beginning of what all three of us had learned, which seemed abysmal at this point. There were some days I wished for the good ole days I'd heard about. Men with guns, not sophisticated computers and modern technology.

However, I couldn't lie; without the significant changes made to our profession, it wouldn't have been as easy to legitimize.

Emails.

Texting.

Internet banking.

Hell, even using the dark web and hiring the best hackers in the world had seemed prudent. Just the new norm of doing business.

Maybe the Chernoff Empire had tried too hard to become legitimate, including giving to charities. We hadn't been watching our backs well enough.

I carefully eased from the bed, ensuring she was covered by the sheets and comforter. After grabbing a pair of sweatpants from my dresser drawer and sliding into them, I stood at the bedroom window for a few seconds. How often had I bothered to pay any attention to the sunrise, the beautiful colors adding a shimmer on the ocean water?

Hell, I couldn't remember. Wasn't that the way of the world? You worked so hard you could never appreciate what you had.

That had to end.

Yawning, I headed for my suit jacket I'd at least remembered to retrieve, yanking the weapon into my hand, my phone next. This one belonged in my locked desk drawer. I also had one in this room, taped to the underside of the nightstand drawer.

And of course, I had a complete weapons cubbyhole secured where no one could find it.

I slipped from the room, taking one last longing look that made my cock swell. Maybe she could get more of a good night's sleep. After everything she'd been through, she certainly needed it.

My ears remained perked as they always did as I padded downstairs, heading to the kitchen for coffee. That came first on a morning like this.

All because I'd finally allowed my guard to fall. The grin remained as I walked into the kitchen, stopping short when I could swear that I could still gather a whiff of our sexual escapade. I couldn't help but laugh as I searched the bottom cabinets for an air freshener of any kind. Thankfully, the amazing woman who cleaned my house usually made certain the household had everything.

I sprayed a generous amount into the air, enough so I coughed more than once. That should do it. The coffee had strange new choices including blueberry and raspberry chocolate. Chantel's influence no doubt.

What the heck. Blueberry might be good for a change. I popped the pod into the machine and within seconds, the scent filling the air was delicious. Incredible.

I was half laughing as I took my coffee cup to the back. The taste was better than I'd expected, fresh with the aroma sliding up my nostrils. Yes, perhaps her influence in many things was something I needed.

The ringing of my phone so early instantly put me on edge. It wasn't even seven in the morning.

"Vadim."

It was all I needed to say.

"Some fuckers attempted to break into the house about an hour ago. They cut the electricity and scaled the walls. That they weren't noticed by my men indicates they were military trained." He was exasperated, more so than I'd heard him be in a long time.

"Fuck. Please tell me they didn't break through the security system."

"No. I had a different series of trip wires, the generator kicking in about the same time. The exterior lights did their job. My men crushed down on them like flies on honey. One of the assailants, and there had to be eight, was shot but the fucker got away. They all did. How the fuck could that happen? Who the hell is this asshole?"

The man was almost always cool as a cucumber. It was something I'd admired about him. This morning, I could tell he was ready to burn the world down. Not that I blamed him. He had a wife, hints of a baby or six on the way, and a life that finally made him happy. To threaten that in any way was akin to starting a war.

I immediately placed the mug on the kitchen counter and headed to the front of the house, the weapon now in both hands. I'd need to risk my son seeing his father holding a gun. At some point, he'd need to learn the truth about me.

"They scaled the wall to get in," I said, more in talking the situation through.

"Yeah, using grappling hooks and thick rope. Slick operation. No warning. No indication of who the fuck is responsible. No flicker of security. No strange views on the cameras. Nothing. Goddamn it. This crap isn't supposed to be happening."

No one fucked with his space any more than they did mine. "Pakhan. Allow your men to handle this for you. Get to a safehouse. Take your family with you and you keep your ass there."

He hated it when I called him the Pakhan.

"Are you handling me now?" He was growling, which wasn't a good sign for anyone else but it was just his frustration talking.

"Yes, I am. Deal with it. Whoever is doing this wants you rattled and guess what? You are, more than at any other time because he, she, or it touched a nerve. Stop. Think. Breathe. This is just a fucking charade. A masquerade ball where he's inviting the players. If you think of it that way, maybe you can plan a little parting gift for the guests. If you know what I mean."

There was no sound at all for a few seconds. Then he laughed like the man I knew. "You were always the single person who could easily put things into the kind of perspective that mattered. Calming yet cunning."

"That's me. The two C's. Now, don't act as if you're freaked. Just leave town. Let me do some sleuthing."

"Sleuthing. Good word. Yeah, I'll get the family unit ready. I can handle every aspect of business from our other house. Caroline is pretty freaked. She gets what I do and always has. She can tolerate being followed around by my men, but this was a stark reminder of just how close to danger she remains. Aleksander is moving his family too, although he has yet to notice anyone lurking around his estate. I suggest you do the same. Whatever this attack meant, it's getting ready to escalate."

There was a large window considered bulletproof in the living room. I stood just in the morning shadows, staring out at the already busy street. Brighton Beach was always teeming with activity.

"Nothing facilitated this? No argument. No confrontation?" While my good friend was usually very good at keeping his temper, often he didn't realize his pointed statements didn't win him any favors. He'd become a very opinionated man.

I paid attention to the vehicles in the street, suddenly loathing the fact the house was so damn close. Of course any non-Russian organization would be a complete fool to dare consider attacking what were called the princes of Russian royalty, the complete regime. It might be a ridiculous title but was one that had been around for a long time. The old timers had fight left in them and would come to a scene with the full intent and purpose of brutally attacking the enemies.

That was one reason so many were attracted to the community. Protection. Teamwork. Rare these days. Still, I had a disturbing feeling that had been further ignited by the attack on Vadim.

"No. Yesterday was office paperwork mostly. I can tell you that Caroline was outside watering flowers and could swear she noticed two dark SUVs going by the gate more than once."

"And your fucking guards didn't see this?"

"Here's the thing. It was during the exact few moments the guards shift to a new group. It was as if whoever planned this attack knew the timing." Vadim wasn't calming down.

Hell, neither was I.

"For the love of God. That means it was planned from the inside." Why hadn't we grilled our goddamn employees? Who had the most to lose? As my father used to tell me, anyone would sell their soul to the devil for the right price. Sadly, this hit close to home.

I checked my watch. The shift in guards was about to change. Two vehicles appeared I knew very well. Suddenly, the hair stood up on the back of my neck. I could feel something happening.

Vadim snorted. "I assure you a list is being developed."

A list. We'd forgotten every aspect of why the old system used by his father and grandfather had worked and worked well. Including using intimidation to keep all employees honest, no matter the pay grade. And how was that done? Regular sweeps of their bank accounts to check for payoffs. Okay, that had been during a less complicated time of doing business.

In my mind it was just as easy, the ability to keep trackers on work computers and all forms of communication and social media easy enough. Even phones could easily be scanned. Instead of using the ever-increasing ways of spying on someone, Vadim had instead been determined to trust people.

Yeah, I was cranky as fuck and maybe a bit too old school, but that had made me very good at observation as well as catching assholes in the act just as they were getting started.

Something caught my eye and I remained glued to the window. A fucking dark SUV passing by slowly. Now, I was no fool; the streets of New York were filled with them. From celebrities to politicians, monsters to musicians, the vehicles could be equipped with everything from full-scale communications equipment and refreshment stations to certain bulletproof materials.

It was the new, improved limo.

What it also allowed for was blacked-out windows. Against the law or not. No one fucked with anyone behind smoked glass.

"What the hell, Nikolay? Did I lose you?" Vadim asked.

"I have a bad feeling this group is going from household to household."

"What the hell does that mean?"

Given the weapon was still in my hand, I made the decision to unlock the door, ultimately warning or threatening my men to pay more attention. "I'll call you back in a few. I need to check something."

"Nikolay. Wait."

But I didn't, my instinct kicking into overdrive. A moment of slow motion settled in, enough to rattle my entire system.

The moment I noticed a second SUV going even more slowly, I shoved my phone into the pocket of my sweatpants, racing toward my men. I had a short, curved driveway. Yes, there were cameras. And yes, there was some level of security but not nearly enough.

Including distance from the street.

"Get down. Get down now!" I yelled but was too late for the men closest to the street.

Shots rang out, the other men immediately responding. I couldn't remember the last time there'd been a goddamn shootout on the street. But in my bare feet, I raced toward the fast-moving SUVs, firing off several shots. While I could clearly see several of my bullets had made contact, including smashing the back window of one vehicle, there was no way of telling if I'd created a casualty or two inside.

"Fuck!" I was literally on the street, realizing there'd almost been two wrecks by ordinary citizens just trying to make their way down the roads. As one would expect in such a tightly knit community, several men rushed from their cars, acting as if they were going to provide protection.

They screamed and yelled, two men racing after them, guns brandished.

"Don't!" I called, but soon they lost steam given the fact both drivers pressed down on the accelerator. "Shit."

Sighing, I bent over, planting my hands on my knees. How had either attack been allowed to occur?

"You okay, Nik?" one of the older guys asked as he walked toward me. I could always recognize him not just by the rough twang of his Russian accent but also by the combat boots he wore even at seventy.

"Yeah, just pissed." I stood, shaking my head.

"You want us to go after them?" One of the bar owners had a shotgun in his hand, his broken English something I knew he insisted on keeping given he'd lived in Brighton Beach since he was twenty.

Rubbing my jaw, I couldn't help but be amused. "No, Omar. No way to find them." I didn't want to mention the ages of the men who'd come to my ‘rescue'; they'd be eaten for lunch. Maybe I shouldn't dare think that. They'd all been brutal savages in their day.

"We won't allow that shit here," another gruff voice huffed.

I nodded to one of the men, a former police officer I'd had a drink or two with. He was one of us, a man who'd accepted a prominent role in society.

The nod was a simple gesture. Until I got a handle on things, he and his group of drinking buddies would have my back.

Sadly, the assailants, who I had no doubt were the same as those who'd attacked Vadim's place, had made their point.

"I doubt it will happen again." I was fairly certain of that in truth. This was nothing but another attempt at keeping the Chernoff regime rattled.

Fuck them.

"We'll keep watch."

"I appreciate that."

As I turned back toward the house, Maxim, who'd been on duty all night, was crouched down by the two men who'd been shot. He lifted and shook his head.

Two of my men had been killed, blood now staining the driveway.

I threw back my head, staring at the rising sun. How the fuck had things gotten so far off course?

Within seconds, he was suddenly by my side, literally jerking me toward the house, two old soldiers immediately shielding me with their bodies.

"You need to get into the house. We'll take it from here," Maxim hissed as if I was breaking a rule.

Perhaps I was.

I'd reacted, refusing to allow anyone to invade my life. We'd all been fools.

"Find the fuckers. Get men on it now."

"I'll do my best," Maxim huffed. "I'll call a cleanup crew too."

I nodded, placing my hands on my hips for a second time. Hell, I was getting too old to play games. The feel of the cold, hard steel pressing against my bare skin was a hateful reminder of my life, the world in which I lived.

As I walked by my other men, I wasn't certain if the looks on their faces were ones of pity or anger themselves. They had every right to be angry. I should have had the ability to warn them.

"You can't stay here, boss. You know that," Maxim added.

"Yeah, I know that. I'll be headed to the beach house. I'll need men to stay out there. Coordinate with Danny."

"Will do. Just go be with your family. I'll take care of this."

The man was exhausted but loyal to a fault. I took one last look before heading inside, immediately taking long strides to my office. The chances the noise had been heard was far too significant. "Vadim. I was attacked, two men down."

"Ah, fuck," he hissed. "We go into Defcon four."

He hadn't used the term created by his father for as long as I'd worked with him. He hadn't needed to. If there was a situation for the use it was today. "Okay. I'll be headed out to the beach in an hour. However, we need to talk to Raphaella's father. The man must know something. Anything. If he doesn't, I swear to God I'll kill him myself."

"I'll set up a meeting even if he doesn't want or isn't ready for it."

We were now both shaken. The ridiculous part was that I knew in my gut this shit was just beginning. "We'll talk further strategy when I get to the beach." I tossed the phone on my desk, completely infuriated. First, I smashed my fists on the surface. But that wasn't enough for me. I needed to air out my anger, to try not to internalize it. I raked my arm across half my desk, at least avoiding my laptop and other crucial items. But I managed to get the lamp, smashing it to bits and pieces. What the fuck did I care? I could afford millions more.

I laughed almost hysterically at the thought. Perhaps those who weren't tied down by a dangerous profession or money that others wanted felt like less of a prisoner. It was ridiculous. All the money in the world and no ability to enjoy it freely.

"What the hell did that lamp ever do to you?"

Hearing Chantel's voice, one that held a slight tone of accusation made me laugh bitterly. I lifted my head, my chest straining from the heavy breathing I was doing. She looked even more beautiful than the night before, the blushing pink robe perfect on her. Even her skin was shimmering more than I'd seen. Her eyes were lit with fire, which meant she knew instinctively something was wrong.

"We're leaving in less than an hour. I need you to keep Damien calm and try and grab some of his favorite toys and books. Where we're going, he has a room full of them, but without his favorite ones including books, he won't be happy." Shit. My breathing was labored and I was lightheaded given the amount of rage.

"What is going on? Talk to me. I thought I heard gunshots."

Exhaling, I even had a bitter taste in my mouth. What I wanted was to taste blood. I glanced over her shoulder into the hallway. "Damien isn't awake?"

"No, he slept through it. What happened?" She practically lunged forward, narrowly avoiding the broken glass from the lamp.

There was no sense in keeping the truth from her.

"Vadim was attacked last night, hired assassins no doubt who knew what they were doing. They weren't successful in hurting anyone or getting in so they came here. Two of my men were killed. I tried to stop the attack, but it was too late." I could hear such guilt in my voice, such sadness and it was unusual. Then again, this kind of shit never occurred. Not to this degree.

"Oh, God," she half whispered, her wheels spinning as if making plans of her own. "Where can we go that we'll be safe?"

"I have a beach house in Sagaponack that almost no one knows about. It's on no records, there's no way to check it in the county, and only my most trusted men are aware of its existence. You'll be safe there."

"Hold the fuck on. You are coming or I'm not going."

I was around the desk in a flash, grabbing both her arms.

"You're hurting me." Her eyes were open wide.

I eased back, raking one hand through my hair. "I'm not trying to. But you and my boy need to stay safe. You're all I have."

She managed to free her arm, placing her frigid hand on my jaw. "You have a lot of people around you who care. Don't unravel. Don't fall into despair. You need to find out who is doing this. That's your goal."

"My goal is to protect my family!" Even that was far too vehement. I looked away, furious with myself for losing my cool. Taking her hand, I kissed her palm. "How did you get so damn smart?"

She sighed. "I think you helped teach me. Let's get a plan together. The one thing my mother taught me that I'd consider decent was that you can't escape a difficult situation, or in this case raw and real danger, without a decent plan. If you don't have one, the person trying to unravel you has already won."

"Agreed and you're one smart lady."

She sighed, fear and exhaustion from dealing with the same shit for days in her eyes. "Don't you forget it."

I caressed her face, needing that moment of closeness. I hated the unknown, and had never worked well when I couldn't grab a distinct handle on a situation. Somehow, she was grounding. "Do not allow Damien to look out front or any other window for that matter until I give the clear."

"He doesn't know about the world he lives in. Does he?"

I shook my head. "No, and I'm not ready. I have a feeling whatever he went through with his mother was traumatizing enough."

"Agreed. That's what you're seeing when he throws tantrums. He has no way of understanding what he witnessed or experienced. No child does."

The woman was far more intelligent, suave, and perceptive than I'd given her credit for.

Shame on me.

"Then we'll work on it. After we get through this shit."

At least I was rewarded with a slight smile.

"Just remember he's very intelligent just like his father. He will figure it out. You already know that."

Yeah, I did. And that didn't make any of this any easier.

Or me any less enraged.