Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

N ikolay

"Where the hell is Maxim?" I asked by way of entrance into the house's compound over the garage.

Danny was busy peering down at the computers, standing not sitting. He barely turned his head, but my men all knew about Tanner. Word of that nature always got around fast.

"He's watching with the other men. It's important." His answer was succinct and somehow filled with sadness. "How long are you going to give him?"

I walked closer and my other men crowded around, angry themselves. I couldn't blame them. Tanner hadn't betrayed just my family but them as well.

Although I'd considered all of them my family. Had that been used as another weakness?

"Things have changed. I want to handle things differently at this point. It's risky but if it works, will be highly successful." I tried to keep my tone solid, without emotion.

"How so, boss?" one of the soldiers asked.

"I'm going to explain a plan and no, I don't have all the details worked out yet but will soon, through Vadim and Aleksander's help. But if it's going to work, it will need to be done over the cover of darkness. Understood?"

I got Danny's full attention, the man turning around. "Color me intrigued."

"Very funny. It will be a long and bloody night and we'll need as many of our men as possible, plus of course those of the Pakhan and his Councilor."

"Long nights we can handle," Danny said, crossing his arms. "What's this plan?"

So, I explained it, shifting a few details by adding some of those I'd thought of. It really was a brilliant plan, more so that I could believe.

Still.

When I was finished, it was as if shock and awe had gripped the room.

Danny finally grinned. "That's amazing. That will be completely unexpected. I like it."

"Carter, get Vadim on a Zoom call. Gunner, make certain the communications equipment is running smoothly." My orders were followed immediately.

When they were off, the other two trying to help, Danny got in front of me. "Did you come up with this idea?"

I smiled, looking away. "Not entirely."

"Ah. I was right about Chantel. She's good for you."

"The question is am I good for her?"

He'd already turned but now shook his head. "Take this from a friend, not a loyal soldier. I mean no disrespect but stop selling yourself short. You fulfill her world as well." While he'd kept his voice down so the others couldn't hear, all that did was strengthen the deep vibe.

"None taken."

"I have the Pakhan on the Zoom call," Carter called out. "Councilor Semenov is just connecting."

I gritted my teeth. This should be interesting. As I moved in front of the large computer screen, I could immediately tell Vadim appeared weary. "You look like shit."

At least he laughed. "Yeah, well, speak for yourself. This crap is getting old."

"I'll say." I didn't know why, but I was antsier than usual. I knew both men would think me nuts. Hell, I did as well a little bit, but I also believed wholeheartedly it was the best and only way to flush out the fucker.

"Gentlemen," Aleks piped in. "I hope this isn't going to take long. Believe it or not, I have a brief meeting with a client."

"I'm appalled," Vadim teased. Aleks continued to consult for the firm that he was now more of a silent partner with. His expertise was highly sought after. "I'll get it started. We had a nice chat with Rossi. Fascinating. I also checked Philly. There are rumblings just like there are that the jerks from Chicago are coming in. Too many rumors to buy. However, I don't think they're organized enough."

"Well, another possible ending down the drain," Aleks said in disgust, turning his attention in my direction. "Look, I heard about Tanner. I'm sorry, Nikolay. Betrayal is tough no matter who or when."

Nodding, I hadn't realized how tired I was until just that moment. "I know. I was crushed but his betrayal may come in useful."

"Information extraction. Good luck." Vadim grinned.

I ignored the comment at this point.

"And?" I asked, unsure if it mattered. "What happened with Rossi?"

"Let's just say he wasn't too happy to see us." Vadim snickered. "Seriously. It was obvious he was performing various business tactics that could interfere with ours. Not necessarily egregious except it was obvious he was lying. Or maybe he was working with someone and he didn't want to disclose the source."

Aleks sighed. "Ah, shit. And what happened?"

Vadim didn't appear happy. "Honestly, I was going to keep him on ice, but he made the fatal mistake of reaching for his weapon. I shot him. But I have a feeling the Armenians are on edge. I've yet to go see Balian."

Great. Another mafia leader had just been removed. That should prove interesting fodder throughout the city. The Armenian would likely get the message we weren't to be fucked with. Perhaps that wasn't the worst thing to happen.

"What a jerk," I managed. "However, is it possible this was just another part of the charade being played and we jumped right into the perpetrator's hands?"

"How so?" Aleks asked.

Vadim hissed. "No, I don't think so. He was off, worried. He also didn't take my visit lightly and wasn't going to be but so helpful. However, he did something odd."

I chuckled. "Odd?"

Vadim nodded. "Yeah. He was dying, barely able to breathe but he grabbed my wrist, yanking me down so I wouldn't miss his dying words. They weren't what you'd expect. He said something like it's not who you think. He also sputtered that whoever it is wants to take over."

"That makes sense given some things we've heard," Aleks offered.

"That wasn't it. I could tell in his eyes. I asked him who and he started to tell me then died." Vadim glanced from one of us to the other.

Meanwhile, I glanced at Danny, who was soaking it all in.

"We're back to fucking square one." Now Aleks growled.

"Wait a minute. I have an idea. As I told my men, it's risky and odd but in my mind, it could be the one thing to flush out the perpetrator."

Vadim appeared enthused. "Then let's hear it."

"Yes, information extraction is what's needed but Tanner isn't going to give up anything because his goddamn family likely was taken hostage."

Aleks whistled. "That's tough but he should have come to us. No excuses."

"And you and I both know the perpetrator was waiting to see what Tanner would do. His entire family would have been slaughtered and dropped on our doorstep."

I could tell Vadim was watching me carefully. "I will agree with you, although he can't be forgiven."

"Not forgiven exactly but perhaps he can be allowed an attempt at salvation." I waited until that sank in. "But he'll only do it if we work together clandestinely to save and protect his family."

"You're suggesting bringing him back into the fold?" Aleks lifted his eyebrows.

"Not until he earns his way, which will take time. Keep in mind, he will only come clean if we do locate his family. I made a couple inquiries, and the sister is missing along with his entire family. The house is empty. Tanner is definitely under duress."

"I don't mean to put a damper on your idea but we can't find the perpetrator. How the fuck do you think we're going to find where his family might or might not be kept?" Vadim was more than curious as to my answer.

Now I grinned. "Because in our experience, guarding people and facilities is considered grunt work and the soldiers hate it. They always do something stupid like drink and spout off at the mouth when their shifts are over. We can learn that easily."

"He's right," Aleks agreed. "Are you certain Tanner knows anything?"

"Not every detail but consider this puzzle a ladder. Another rung or two plus finding the soldiers and… having fun with them will provide more than what we have now by far."

Vadim moved closer to his camera screen. "You didn't come up with this on your own. Did you? It's creative and very unusual."

"Are you saying I'm not creative?" I acted appalled.

"You're by the book, black and white and you know it." Vadim was teasing. "Answer the question."

Danny coughed from behind me. I elbowed him in answer. "I had a couple thoughts put into my head. Good ones."

Vadim rubbed his jaw. "It'll need to be highly coordinated. If we have any idea who is behind this fucking charade, we'll need full manpower from all our sources."

"A tough undertaking," Aleks said half under his breath. "It's close to coordinating a freaking war."

"If I may butt in," Danny said. "We are set up to run exactly that from here if necessary. Plus, we have handheld communications and satellite devices that rival anything from the military. We can use that when we're in the field."

In the field. He sounded far too much like Tanner.

Vadim appeared anxious, unhappy as hell. I rarely pissed off the man but perhaps the idea was too far-fetched.

"Look, I know it's out there, but this is very important. To me. To my boy. You get it."

"I need to tell you something else and it might interfere with your desire to do this." When Vadim concentrated his gaze on me, his eyes darkened.

"Okay. I doubt anything will but fine. What?"

Now he glanced at Aleks, which meant the Councilor knew whatever tidbit of information Vadim was having difficulty saying.

"I know you spent time, effort, and money searching for Ginger Lee," he stated, but the sound of his voice was entirely off.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Because I have associates stationed all throughout the world working in various capacities. One of them owed me a favor. She was found in Bulgaria."

I wasn't certain I gave a damn. "So what? She's dead to me."

Vadim huffed. "That's the point. She was murdered."

Processing what he'd just said was tough. "What?"

"Execution style. This was no random hit."

"Which could mean she's more a part of this than we realize," Aleks said, also keeping his tone soft. I hadn't been love-struck by the girl.

But he was right.

"No idea who? No claims?" I finally asked.

"No. Forced entry and no one heard anything. She put up a fight but lost."

Shit.

"Well, now I know. And no, it does not alter my desire to do this. If she was a part of whatever the fuck is going on, then the mastermind is becoming unraveled. What I propose should throw him over the top."

Vadim and Aleks looked at each other. Soul searching. This would take more than just coordination. It would take trust, loyalty, and belief our worlds wouldn't be crushed. A tall order.

Vadim took a deep breath, waiting a few seconds before expelling it. "It's risky and weird enough to work but I advise you to keep a very short leash on Tanner. He could be fully turned."

"Agreed but I could tell in his eyes he was terrified and completely filled with remorse. I trust in my gut. I have to." I meant what I said.

Vadim nodded several times. "Then we go for it. But God help us if we're wrong."

"If we are, we keep fighting. We have far too much to lose."

I meant what I said. I refused to lose something that I hadn't known I needed.

A family.