Chapter 29

Maksim~

A fter dropping Katja off at her home, I had immediately texted Avgust that I needed to speak with him, and because the man's sleep cycle was just as unhealthy as my own, he had replied for me to go ahead and stop by. Though I could have waited until the morning to speak with him, I hadn't wanted to. He was the only one that could approve my change of plans, and I hadn't wanted to put it off any longer. I'd lost any chance at Katja's love, and while I hadn't ever imagined that it could happen to me, it'd had.

As soon as Avgust answered the door, he asked, "Do we need drinks for this?"

I nodded. "Absolutely."

However, instead of going into his office, Avgust led me into his kitchen, and all that told me was that all his household staff was already gone for the night, and that all his guards were outside. If not, he would have taken this conversation to a more private room. Again, the man took no chances now that he had a family.

"So, what is troubling you, bratok?" he asked as he began opening cupboards.

I took a seat at the kitchen island before telling him why I was here. "You were right," I told him. "Katja found out about Millie's before I could tell her and explain our plan, and now she hates me."

Avgust didn't gloat or tell me those dreaded four little words. Instead, he just poured our drinks as he let my words play over in his head. I was lucky that Avgust hadn't ever kicked me when I'd been down, and I was thankful that he wasn't going to start now.

After sliding my drink across the counter, he finally asked, "What is it that you need from me?"

"I'm done with my plan to draw Nikel out," I informed him. "I want Katja with me, and I want her grandfather safe from any threats."

"If that's what you want, then she can no longer work starting now, Maksim," he pointed out. "Even if Nikel wasn't an issue, she'd have to change careers." Avgust shrugged as he added, "Or come work for us. It's no secret that we could use some technical support."

"What I have learned over the course of these past couple of weeks is that there isn't anything that she won't do for her grandfather," I replied easily. "Getting her to quit her job won't be a problem."

Avgust's hazel eyes regarded me carefully. "Maksim, while I understand that your intelligence level makes it hard for you to connect with us mere mortals at times, you would not be helping yourself if you force any more changes in Katja's life."

"Well, what is it that you suggest I do?" I retorted. "She already hates me, so I can't see asking her nicely working out for me."

"While your point is valid, you should probably do something to alleviate that hate, instead of feeding it," he advised. "And forcing her to quit her job will just feed it more."

"Look, as far as I'm concerned, I have the rest of our lives to work on her hate for me," I told him. "What I need right now is for her to be with me and for her grandfather to be safe. Once we get them both secured, then we can scour the streets for Nikel."

Just then, Avgust's phone chimed, and when he pulled it out of his pocket to look at it, his brows jumped in surprise. "It's Sartori."

"It's about fucking time," I hissed.

Avgust immediately answered the phone, then placed it on speaker. "This is Kotov," he answered.

"I've got Morocco with me," Nero announced, getting straight to the point. "Though it's late, I figured that you might not want to wait to hear what he's found out."

"You would be correct," Avgust replied smoothly. "I also have Maksim here with me, and this call is on speaker."

"I was able to tap into the cameras and find that Nikel Ovchinnikov is actually staying on Morongo Street, though there's no apartment in his name, nor have I been able to find out which apartment since none of the apartment complexes have cameras," Morocco said, getting straight to it. "The fact that each building is fifteen stories high and have ten apartments to each floor, it's like finding a needle in a haystack without anything in his name."

"Can you tell us which building, at least?" Avgust asked.

"It's the third one on the left of Morongo Street," he answered. "Though there's six buildings, that's the one that I keep seeing him go into after tracking him from when he leaves Maksim's girl. However, there are no cameras on the west end of the apartments."

"Meaning?" I asked.

"Meaning that he could easily be leaving out the backdoor to another one of the buildings, but we'd never know since there are no eyes on that side," he explained. "He could easily be hiding in plain sight, and since he's managed to remain undetected this long, he shouldn't be underestimated."

"What about any familiar faces around the clubs?" Avgust asked. "According to Katja, he's watching Akim and Maksim, and often knows where they are."

"I found a familiar face at all three locations that you gave me, and while I was able to pull up a clear enough picture, if it's Ovchinnikov, then the man is great at disguises," he said. "So, it's either him or he found someone else to work with him. However, I'm betting that it's him."

"Because why not use this new person to approach Katja, correct?" I surmised. "Why take the chance to be seen if he has someone else to take the risk?"

"Exactly," Morocco replied. "I also ran every name in the third apartment building, but nothing flagged. So, he's either shacking up with someone, or else he's squatting in an empty apartment."

"Are there many?" I asked. "Empty apartments, I mean."

"Only three," he answered. "So, you might want to check them first. I'll send over the numbers when I send over the pictures."

"Is there anything else?" Avgust asked.

"When he's stalking Maksim, he's driving a dark Chevy truck. However, when he's stalking Maksim's girl, he's on foot," he added. "I'm not sure if that's significant or not, but it still should be noted."

"Okay," Avgust said. "Thank you for the help, and you'll have your money as soon as we get everything."

Nero let out a low chuckle. "Forget the payment, Kotov. Mrs. Sartori sends her well wishes."

"I'd rather pay you," Avgust remarked dryly.

"As I completely understand that viewpoint, what my wife wants matters more to me than what you would prefer," Nero replied smoothly. "Of course, we can continue to argue about it if you wish."

"Okay, I have to ask," I blurted. "Why? Why does she do this for us?"

"She doesn't do it for us, gentlemen," Nero answered honestly. "She does it for the women. My wife is a firm believer that no man is truly deserving of the woman that loves him, so this is her way of helping them out. Never us."

"She's not wrong," Avgust grumbled.

"No, she's not," Nero easily agreed.

"Well, tell her that we appreciate the gesture," Avgust replied graciously. "Hopefully, this will be the last time that we'll require your services."

"You know, Maksim's girl is quite talented," Morocco stated. "If she can hone her skills a little bit better, then she can probably get you through some tight spots."

"How do you know that she's talented?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"The same way that I know everything about any name that you've ever handed me," he retorted.

"Fair enough," I chuckled.

"Goodbye, gentlemen," Nero said before ending the call.

After Avgust slipped his phone back in his pocket, he asked, "What do you want to do now?"

"Since the grandfather is more important to Katja than her own safety, I'm going to speak with Artur to let him know the change of plans," I told him. "My house is big enough for both Mr. Antonov and us to both have our privacy."

Avgust arched a brow. "While I recognize that you are used to doing whatever you want, my advice is to speak with Mr. Antonov yourself, Maksim. Though manipulative, if you can get into Mr. Antonov's good graces, then maybe it'll help with Katja's antagonism towards you."

"Fine," I relented, seeing the logic behind the suggestion. "I will speak with Mr. Antonov Monday morning, after Katja has left for work. I don't need her making our conversation more awkward than it will no doubt already be."

Avgust snorted. "You definitely have your hands full."

"I'll also call Akim to inform him of the change of plans," I added.

Avgust's brows furrowed. "I'm still curious why it seems as if he's after you more than Akim."

"Maybe he holds me more responsible since I'm the oldest," I suggested, shrugging.

"Okay, we can find that all out once we find him. For now, do what you need to do, Maksim."

"Thank you, Pakhan," I replied easily, ready to do just that.