Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

N ikolay

Vengeance.

It had been the reason for dozens of wars over the years.

I had to keep my cool. That's what I'd told myself more than once. If Tanner didn't provide a key to what was going on, then I had a bad feeling we were going to be in more than dire straits. I also had a bad feeling about the incoming shipment, suggesting Aleksander really keep a close eye on our seller and see if the man had been contacted by anyone else… foreign. Time would tell.

Now I had to handle what in my mind was likely the most difficult situation I'd been forced to deal with since taking over as Brigadier. I'd known from as early as eight or nine that if I held any kind of position within a Bratva organization, my life wouldn't be comprised of sunshine and unicorns, forced to kill on command or take a bullet for someone.

When the alliance with two powerful fathers had occurred and neither my idyllic childhood nor Vadim's had really changed, I'd been lured into the belief maybe, just maybe there wouldn't be a need to kill on a regular basis.

Or deal with the kind of traitors that could get my family killed.

I'd learned quickly when both our fathers had almost been assassinated on the same day, mine in front of me. I'd held his bloody body in my hands, every muscle convulsing and blood spewing from his mouth, and thought for certain my world was going to end.

He'd lived by God's graces, as my mother had said. But I'd wanted revenge. It was as if I'd gotten a taste of blood myself.

That had come later when I'd tracked down the bastard who'd almost ended his life. It had been my first, most violent and delicious kill.

And I had never regretted it to this day.

I couldn't think any longer about how young I was. Just a babe really. The life I was born into.

But times changed, Vadim's plans grandiose and mostly removed from the old ways. I'd hated the idea at first, then had grown to love it. And… fifteen years later and all three of us were highly successful in a legitimate business world. In truth, we'd become spoiled. I knew that now. I'd pretended in the back of my mind that I might never have to kill again.

As usual, life intervened and I'd been forced to save Vadim's life while killing three people.

I sighed and grabbed a parking spot close to the icehouse Vadim had used to ‘store' Tanner. The man also had a twisted sense of humor. I normally liked that about him but today, I was just over the games played by anyone and everyone.

I clicked the fob, locking the Ferrari, buttoning my jacket and staring at the old building. It was quite spectacular in its creative design, the bricks used in designs from the twenties that I hadn't known existed. The plant was still used for ice, just part of a package of several commercial buildings the three of us had purchased together. The production had continued to be topnotch.

Of course every piece of equipment had been replaced with state of the art, every brick repointed and the structure checked by an engineer but it had been worth it. A small company had asked if they could provide slushies in the tiny front store using the ice. Goddamn, I'd never known slushies were so big. Even in the winter.

As I headed for the side door leading to the warehouse floor, I thought about corporate treachery and what Chantel had said in her plea to look outside the box. Yes, it was just as bad as what Tanner had done. Perhaps worse. And usually, it was based fully on greed, not fear that a family would be killed. But I had to admit those I'd come into contact with had been the worst snakes of all. So venomous that one bite and the party receiving it would lose everything.

Poof.

People had tried and failed with us, but our conglomerate was too strong, too powerful. And we'd crushed every one of them like a bug.

Yet not one of the incidents had been personal. This still left a hard blow in my gut.

I waited as Danny approached with another man, both studying the building. "An interesting choice," Danny said.

"I'll say. Roger. Stay outside and keep watch. Danny. You're with me."

As we walked in, the creaking of the metal hinges made me shake my head. State of the art shit and hinges couldn't be replaced? Our footsteps echoed as we walked forward, heading toward the smaller and more private room.

Almost as soon as I approached the doorway, I gritted my teeth. I could hear the Dobermans growling and whining, their tough nails scratching the painted cement floor. I'd never met the pups, but I'd need to take Vadim's word that they weren't vicious dogs.

Even if they were nothing like sweet, loving retrievers.

The dogs were bad enough but seeing Tanner strung up, his arms spread like he was on some cross, shackled with leather and chains from the ceiling was just about too much to bear. He was dangling just high enough in the room the Dobermans could jump but not get him. It was all smoke and mirrors based on psychological fear.

But damn it, the torturous effect couldn't be denied and it pissed me off.

"Jesus," Danny said under his breath.

Tanner was swinging, his breathing labored.

The man had betrayed me and yet I couldn't stand this shit? Boy, oh boy, my methods were changing significantly. Weren't they?

The soldiers watching him were all laughing.

And fucking betting.

As soon as we walked closer, I'll be damned if Vadim's soldiers didn't salute and shut up, but the damage was done. I glared at them with actual hatred before peering up at Tanner. He'd been roughed up, his lips swollen, but he studied me carefully. Not grinning. Not laughing. I could smell his fear, likely because of me and the fucking assholes who forced him into this. I was beginning to hate people with an utter passion.

"Get the dogs away," I ordered, staring down at one then the other as they gravitated toward me, their tails swishing back and forth across the floor. I could tell they weren't evil dogs. They wouldn't have taken a bite but they'd done their job better than any human intimidation. Fuck. What had the world come to?

"Yes, sir," the obvious owner stated. He was one of Vadim's men, someone I didn't know but I assume he was trusted. At this point, he damn well better be.

I waited until the three dogs were taken from the room, glaring at one of the other men. "Get him down and a chair. Oh, and find a goddamn towel or a fucking tee shirt so he can wipe his face." I noticed a cooler and pointed. "And I hope you have a bottle of water in there. Bring me one."

Tanner lifted his head while the six men gawked at me. Maybe I had grown two heads after all. I was disgusted with what I saw, although I did understand why Vadim had ordered this. Perhaps I was nothing more than weary from the bullshit handed out like candy.

Two chairs were brought almost instantly, and the pulley holding Tanner swinging in the air was slowly lowered. At least I didn't need to ask the men to help him get to the chair. He almost immediately stumbled, the man exhausted, beaten, and overwrought. I could only imagine what was going through his mind. Did I remain pissed? You bet, but for God's sake, some decency still applied. Right?

All the items were finally brought, Tanner tentatively taking them. All the while, he eyed me carefully, certain I was going to whip out my gun. Yes, that's what I would normally do and he knew that. When he'd wiped his face, successfully taking a few gulps of water, I approached, grabbing the second chair and swinging it around to face the other way before straddling it. I leaned on the back, studying him. At least he didn't appear to be injured severely. If he had been, that would have hindered my current operation significantly.

"You can leave now. I'll call you when I'm ready," I told the soldiers. They didn't need to hear this conversation. It took them only a few seconds to leave, heading into the other room.

Danny took his place, watching the two doors just in case there was an ambush. I knew he had mixed feelings but at least he understood the method to my madness. I could count on him.

Sighing, I thought about what to say. This wasn't easy on anyone. "Tanner. I'm not going to do a dog and pony show here. There is no time on just about every level. I am fully aware your wife, daughter, mother, and sister are missing. That has been confirmed."

His eyes opened wide, the guy likely ready to piss in his pants. "Yes, sir. They were taken a few days ago."

"Look, I realize family comes first. I'm just learning how important that is, but you should have confided in me instead of being a part of a fucking charade. I was going to kill you, but a very important person in my life helped me understand that the kind of duress you're under can alter a man's entire behavior. I'm not going to say I'll be able to trust you again. That remains to be seen, but I will find your family. But I can only do that with your help."

Tanner seemed confused. "Why would you do that?"

"Because killing you means the assholes being allowed to slaughter your family and I'm not that guy. Plus, I do think you have some knowledge that can help solve this mystery. One question before we get to the possible places where your family could be held. Do you have any idea who is behind this game being played?"

"No, sir. He never appeared. He sent a couple men to provide their methods of… incentive. I know they'd been watching me. There might be two of them. I don't know."

Two. That was interesting and fell into a theory of my own.

"And they instructed you to kill Sonya?"

He nodded, still shaking like a leaf. "I did and I hate myself for it."

"Okay. I thought as much. He's ensuring no one can provide even a tiny portion of information but I have a feeling you are the closest possibility we have. So, let's talk about where your family might be held. Where did you meet these men? Did you overhear anything?"

"It was just a building. I…" He looked away, his brain obviously trying to process what was happening.

"The pressure is that as soon as they realize I have you in captivity, your family will be killed. Close your eyes and think. You're the best I have at observation. You've provided details that floored me over the years. You heard something. Men talk. They brag. They took you first, right?"

"Yes, sir. Dumped in a trunk. Blindfold."

"But no earmuffs, right?"

His smile was slight, but he was finally starting to come down from the adrenaline rush. "Correct."

"Close your eyes and whatever comes to you, let me know."

Tanner did as I asked and I glanced up at Danny, who already had out his iPad to list whatever Tanner mentioned, easily locating the addresses. He had an uncanny ability of finding the most obscure locations.

It took about three minutes, but Tanner finally started rattling off what he remembered about the drive he'd been taken on, the building he'd been tossed into, and the two conversations he'd forgotten he'd overheard.

When he stopped and took a deep breath, his hand shaking as he took a sip of water, I glanced up at Danny.

"Bingo. Two distinct addresses within two blocks of each other. And guess where they are? Close to Brighton Beach."

Now I found that fascinating as hell.

"Excellent work, both of you. Tanner. We're going to a secure hotel where you'll have a chance to clean up. There will be fresh clothes, food, and liquor. And you will repeat this exercise with details that could lead us to the perpetrator. I have faith. Keep in mind, you'll be under heavy guard. When we find your family, and we will find your family, they will be brought to you."

"Why?" he asked in barely a whisper. The question was a valid one.

"Because I believe in second chances." Maybe that was the truth after all.

The attack on both buildings was likely done with more forces than had been used in a long time if ever. And it certainly was not something that had the city was used to seeing any longer. This wasn't necessarily about creating a bloodbath, although everyone involved in keeping the hostages would likely die. They were too close to the perpetrator. They would never talk.

There was always a chance but that would be like winning the lottery.

Vadim had arrived for the festivities. It had been decided Aleks should remain behind, not only to continue his unusual inquiries with his very special sources, but also in case things went south.

There was no way the bastards were expecting us. None. We had an SUV waiting for the family, another with decoy people inside in case the place was wired and we were followed. Every detail had been carefully coordinated by Vadim, the master of warfare. I realized as we converged on the two buildings that I wasn't just doing it to win the war.

I was doing this because I wanted the opportunity to explore having a real family for a change.

Things were looking up in my world and no one was going to fuck it up.

No one.

How many times had I said or thought those two words? Too many.

We'd cased the buildings prior to coming close; the military equipment we owned included body heat sensors. There were at least a dozen or more soldiers inside both buildings. Weapons had a particular setting, allowing us to gather if anyone was carrying firearms. It seemed like I'd been right about Tanner's abilities.

The only odd thing that had been detected was multiple bodies in a room. Four to be exact. From the size, it appeared a child was one of them. Two were lying down. The other two were standing but barely moving. It had to be the prisoners.

What was also interesting was the amount of activity in the second building. Soldiers were guarding something important.

"We go on three," Vadim said. The commanders had old-fashioned walkie-talkies. Danny was one, and one of Vadim's higher-ranking soldiers was in charge of taking the other building.

We were purposely freeing the hostages. After this, we'd have little time before the real shit hit the fan. But it would seem we were prepared.

"Three. Two. One."

Men kicked in every exterior door found, crashing into the building with a full brigade. There was no hesitation on our part. We didn't ask questions or try to negotiate.

We simply filled the space with the stench of gunfire.

And eventually, blood.

I gunned down two myself, one about to put a bullet in Vadim's head.

It was all over in less than two minutes, a couple of moans and pinging noises coming from the building the only remaining noise. There was something surreal about the moment.

There was also something I hated.

"And?" I asked into the walkie-talkie. It took a few seconds for Danny to answer.

"Done. You won't believe this shit," Danny said, half laughing. That surprised me.

"What?"

"There are dozens of crates piled to the fucking ceiling in this place. Three are open."

"Don't fucking leave us in suspense," Vadim snarled.

Danny sighed. "Think millions upon millions of dollars of heroin. Cocaine. Booze. Cigarettes and get this. Diamonds."

Vadim and I stared at each other. The other location was a holding facility for the perpetrator after his crew had stolen illegal merchandise from other syndicates. Maybe cartels as well.

"What the fuck?" I huffed.

Vadim shook his head. "Get more men and call for trucks. Lots of fucking trucks."

"Will do, sir," Danny stated, clicking off.

We glanced at each other again. Was this entire charade about absconding with stolen merchandise?

As the soldiers ensured our continued safety, Vadim, two soldiers, and I headed to the locked separate room. The padlock was thick, preventing any escape. We'd come prepared, one of the soldiers grabbing a huge bolt cutter from one of two duffle bags he'd brought in preparation.

Or maybe hope.

It took a few seconds but when as soon as the metal lock tumbled to the floor, we moved inside, still keeping our weapons in both hands.

The subtle and very terrified cries almost broke my heart.

I'd been on both ends of the spectrum, captured once a long time ago. But nothing had prepared me for seeing four women huddled together, obviously terrified. Yet Tanner's wife remained defiant, pulling her daughter closer as she herself stood taller.

She knew me. I'd been to their house on several occasions. Hell. I'd taken his daughter birthday and Christmas presents.

I'd never felt so low in my life.

"You're safe now. We're taking you to Tanner," I told them.

I moved further inside and she broke free of the other two women. And the way she clutched onto me was both heartwarming and as unsettling as I'd ever felt.

"Thank you. Thank you for saving us. You're a hero," she whispered. Sadly, her voice held the tone of a hostage, full of anxiety.

Anyone who tormented women had a very special place in hell.

I'd seen men weep over the possibility of the loss of their lives. I'd also seen them sobbing over a loss. But the moment we walked into the hotel suite, the sight of Tanner dropping to his knees, tears falling down his face and the man praying to God was a sight I would never forget.

It would haunt me until the day I died.

We'd done the right thing. We'd provided a second chance for five different individuals.

Maybe in some sick sense of it all, the members of the Chernoff regime could be considered heroes.

As long as that didn't go to our heads.

Vadim clapped me on the shoulder, his ragged exhale telling me many things as well. As usual, we didn't need to communicate. This was both difficult and amazing.

Tanner raced to his wife and daughter, throwing his massive arms around them, tears shed all around. He buried his head at first into her shoulder, but the moment he lifted it again, he found my eyes. Mouthing thank you, his expression pushed me into something else the woman I adored had told me.

What we'd done, the care and effort taken to bring his family back safely had created the most loyal human being in the world.

It was a heavy burden to bear but one I was happy to try to hold onto.

But it was time to finish this charade.

Only then could I seek salvation.