Chapter Ninety

Chapter Ninety

Stephen

We were in the penthouse going over the plan one last time before we left the building. Our nerves were on edge, but Sephie's more so than the rest of us. We were trying to reassure her as much as we could, but I knew that adrenaline was going to prove useful once the chaos started. She could shoot better than a majority of the guards we had on staff. She was hell in the ring. She also had six attack dogs ready to rip anyone apart that dared to look at her the wrong way.

I found myself thinking about just how much she'd come to mean to me lately. I'd never been close to anyone my entire life. I didn't have many friends growing up. I was always the quiet kid. That carried over into my adult life. When I figured out I was gay, I retreated even further into my shell. It took me years to tell my parents. There were members of my family that still didn't know. It was much more accepted now, but my family was very traditional. It was just easier to come up with reasons why I wasn't married with kids than it was to have the conversation with them about the truth.

I had resigned myself to keeping that secret from the other guys forever. They were all alpha males. I expected them to have a huge problem with it. I was worried they would see me as weak. My perspective changed when Sephie came along. She was always unapologetically herself and the other guys loved her more because of it. It took me a long time to warm up to her, simply because I was worried she would figure out my secret and tell the others. But the more I tried to put distance between me and Sephie, the more she found ways to show me that being myself was the best way to be. In her own special way, she coaxed me out of my own darkness that I'd put myself in.

As it turns out, she did figure out my secret before the other guys, but she didn't tell anyone. She even swore Adrik to secrecy when she told him. She let me tell them in my own time. And they accepted me even more than they already did once I told them. Secrets kept in the dark can destroy you, but secrets brought to the light have no power over you anymore.

We were gearing up, almost ready to leave. I saw Viktor catch Sephie alone. It looked like he was giving her a pep talk. He'd been worried about bringing her with us, as he ultimately felt responsible for all of us, all the time. But he didn't like the idea of leaving her behind either. I was sure she was going to be an asset, so I was happy she was coming along. Andrei was right, we'd all be worried about her if she wasn't with us.

We knew our individual roles. Sephie was to stick with Ivan or Adrik if something was to happen to Ivan. The rest of us would step in, when and if needed. Misha was certain that it was going to work out for the best. Our plan was solid. Oscar had provided valuable information on how to make the original plan even better, so we were expecting things to go smoothly.

We walked off the elevator toward the vehicles. We were taking a combination of SUVs and bikes, just in case we needed options. It would also be more difficult to separate us if we had more vehicles. The dealers that were helping us were going to meet us at Sephie's old apartment. Chen had come to the building with instructions on how to get to the parking garage underneath the building without anyone seeing him. He was taking another SUV, just to add more vehicles to the party. He was waiting on us when we exited the elevator.

"Who's ready to have New Year's celebrations early?" he asked as we got closer to him. He had a good sense of humor, and like Sephie, tended to make jokes when he was nervous. We were all in mission mode, however. His face fell when nobody laughed. "Right. Jokes later," he said, clearing his throat.

Viktor had brought a few guys from the building security team on as well. They were all guys that had been working for us for years. We'd used them before for various things. They knew how to handle themselves and we could trust them. We knew that the two smaller warehouses should be easy to get to, but the warehouse at the docks was covered with armed guards. Even with all the extra people, we were going to be outnumbered.

I had scouted the warehouse at the docks and found a suitable nest where I could even the playing field as much as possible. They wouldn't see us coming, hopefully.

The dealers were waiting at Sephie's old apartment when we got there. The security detail guys had already gone ahead to the two smaller warehouses to get eyes on them. We grabbed the dealers and went to the first warehouse. Conversation was minimal. Our guys had earpieces, like usual, but the dealers didn't.

We pulled up a few blocks from the first warehouse. This was the smallest of the warehouses. They were running the operation 24/7, but there weren't that many people in the warehouse. Only enough to make the brawn along with a handful of guards and that was it. Our plan was to get the explosives attached to the building in strategic spots and get out without being seen. Because this one was an easier job, only a few guys were needed to get everything in place. Andrei and Oscar went with two other guys. The rest of us waited as backup if needed.

Before they left, Sephie had to hug Andrei. She was trying to be tough, but she couldn't help herself. If anything, it was motivation for him to make it back. While the rest of us didn't have a romantic relationship with her like Adrik, there was still a special relationship between her and the five of us. If ever there was unconditional love, Sephie was it. She was something special in our lives and not a single one of us wanted to give that up.

Andrei, Oscar, and the other two guys jogged toward the warehouse. It was approaching midnight, so we had the cover of darkness to help conceal our movements. We could hear everything through the earpieces, but there wasn't much to listen to. Communication was kept to an absolute minimum.

It took maybe twenty minutes and the four guys were jogging back to us. We all chuckled when Sephie exhaled loudly as soon as she saw Andrei come into view. Ivan put his arm around her shoulders, smiling down at her. It was nice to have someone worried for your safety.

We loaded up quickly and drove to the second warehouse. It was much the same as the first. In and out with no problems. We were ahead of schedule on our way to the warehouse at the docks.

I was going to set up in my nest, silently taking out as many of the guards around the perimeter as I could. When I was scouting, I counted at least ten that I could easily pick off. Once the first line of defense had been neutralized, the rest of the guys were going to come in on foot. This warehouse was almost three times the size of the other two. It was going to need more explosives to blow completely. I could only cover one side of the warehouse from above. Two sides were on the water. The third wasn't accessible without announcing our presence. That made me nervous. I liked having a better vantage point, but I'd covered worse. I would make this work. I found myself feeling overly protective, not only of Sephie but also of the other guys. We really were a family. I was going to make sure we all made it out.

It only took me a few minutes to get into position. "Ready."

"Ready when you are," Viktor said.

While it was somewhat macabre, I got enjoyment from counting out loud whenever I took out one of the guards. "One…two…three…" So far no one else in the warehouse had noticed. "Four…five…" Still business as usual in the warehouse. "Six, seven, eight…that last group shouldn'ta been fucking around on duty, but I appreciate them making my job easier." I heard quiet laughter over my earpiece. "Aaaaand…nine. Almost to a personal best, folks." More laughter through my earpiece. "Oh, number ten found number nine. That's not helpful, number ten. But wait, there's more. Eleven…twelve…go. Now."

I could see everyone moving from my vantage point. The people inside the warehouse were slowly becoming aware that something was going on. I was trying to pick them off as they came out of the building. Andrei and Oscar were systematically moving around the building, setting up the explosives. The two guys that went with them for the first two warehouses were moving in the opposite direction around the building. Everyone else was providing cover for them.

I kept an eye on as much as I could through the scope of my rifle. Things were happening quickly. I caught sight of one guy that had taken cover as he came out of the warehouse. He was on the phone. His call ended abruptly, thanks to me. "We may have a problem. Someone made a call. Everybody watch your six."

"One wall to go," Andrei said.

The people inside the warehouse had barricaded themselves inside, thinking that was going to save them. I took a moment to find Sephie. She was between Adrik and Ivan, her gun pointed at the warehouse like she belonged here. She was one of us now.

I checked the alley leading to the warehouse. Quiet so far. I could hear gunfire at the back of the warehouse, where Andrei and Oscar were. "Remind me to thank Trino for sending Oscar. He just saved my ass," Andrei said. "All charges set. On our way back."

I did another sweep of the perimeter. This time, there was movement up the alley. "We've got company. Their backup just arrived. Don't know how many yet, but I'll try to get as many as I can. They're coming up the alley," I said.

I counted five guys trying to quickly make it to the warehouse. They were being smart about moving up the alley, so I couldn't get a clear shot. Whoever made the call must've warned them I was here. "They're on to me. It's difficult for me to get a clear shot on any of them." I looked further down the alley to see more guys coming. "More guys coming too. I count fifteen total. So far. I need help drawing them out so I can get a clean shot. They're using cover as much as possible. Oops. Make that fourteen."

Misha and Viktor moved closer to the alley, along with several of the security detail guys to try and keep the new group from advancing any closer. The alley was the easiest entrance point. The pressure from Misha and Viktor caused the new arrivals to make mistakes, which gave me a clear shot. "Down to eleven. I haven't seen any more coming yet. I also haven't checked the other access points. Be careful down there." As soon as I said that, I heard Ivan say, "We've got more coming from the west side."

Shit.That's directly beside where Ivan, Adrik, and Sephie were. "How many? Can you tell?" I asked.

"Looks like just a handful. We should be able to hold them off. Andrei's back," he said.

There was steady gunfire in both directions now. I was slowly working on picking off the guys in the alley. I checked on the group coming from the other direction, toward Ivan. I couldn't get a clear shot on any of them. I went back to the alley just in time to see more guys arrive. "Shit. We've got more incoming up the alley. At least twenty this time."

"Almost clear this way, but I don't like that more are showing up. We need to get out of here," Ivan said.

"We can go around the warehouse," Andrei said.

"I can't cover you that way," I said.

"You won't need to. I can blow the building as soon as we're clear. Bait the rest of the guys toward the building, we won't have to worry about being followed," Andrei said.

"We'll do it. Ivan, get Sephie out of here. Stephen, cover Ivan and Sephie as far as you can. The rest of us are going around the warehouse. Andrei will detonate as soon as we're clear," Adrik said.

No one had time to object. Ivan grabbed Sephie's hand and was moving quickly toward the exit to the west. It was clear. There was a bike close, so they'd be able to leave quickly. Misha and Viktor were falling back toward the rest of the group, drawing the guys in the alley toward them. Everyone moved together, slowly, toward the back of the warehouse. I covered Ivan and Sephie until they got on the bike, then I lost sight of them. I went back to covering the alley. I managed to get a few more guys, but I would need to move soon or I'd be caught in the blast.

"Stephen, get out of there," Adrik said as they neared the back of the warehouse.

"You ain't gotta tell me twice," I said, laughing to myself.

It went quiet as I broke down my rifle. It took me exactly forty-five seconds to get it broken down and ready to move. I was on my way down the stairs within a minute. As soon as I hit the ground floor, my bike was waiting on me. I'd pulled it inside the building to hide it from sight. "Clear," I said as I pulled out of the building. I was one block over from the warehouse, so the street was quiet. I still didn't waste any time getting out of there.

"Three…two…one…" Andrei said. I felt the explosion when it happened. I expected it to knock out our earpieces, given that there were explosions throughout the city at the same time, so I wouldn't know that everyone made it out until we were back at the penthouse. The plan was to regroup at the building, then we were going to grab Dr. Moretti in the wee morning hours, so he wouldn't know what hit him.

This was the worst part of any plan. The waiting. The not knowing. I expected Ivan and Sephie to be waiting on me when I got to the building. Then we'd wait for the rest of the group to show up. I tried not to be nervous, but I always failed miserably.

I pulled into the parking garage. No bike. Shit. Ivan and Sephie should be here. Where the fuck are they?

I only had to wait a few minutes and the rest of the group showed up. "We've got a problem. Ivan and Sephie aren't here," I said as they pulled up. Adrik went nuclear right away.

"They should be here already. Where the fuck are they? Did you see anything before you left?" he asked. His anger, much like my own, turned him into a beast. He wasn't Adrik anymore. He was his anger personified. I knew his anger wasn't directed at me, but he was still a sight to behold. The dealers were visibly apprehensive. They'd never seen this side of Adrik. He looked like he was ready to snap at any moment. Every muscle in his body was flexed, every vein engorged with blood. If I really was a vampire, I'm sure I'd be able to hear his heartbeat loud and clear. His eyes had an intensity to them when he was angry that made you feel a sort of primal fear. You felt like he was a predator and you were definitely the prey.

"I covered them until they got on the bike. I lost sight of them after that. The explosion knocked out the earpieces, so I didn't hear anything either," I said.

Viktor pulled his phone from his pocket. "I gave Sephie a tracker just in case," he said as he checked his phone. "I've got a location. She's moving."

Misha had gone to one of the SUVs to grab new earpieces for everyone. "What direction?" he asked as he handed us all new earpieces. It was easier than waiting for them all to reset themselves. Faster too. We didn't have time to waste.

"They're headed to the north end of the city," Viktor said.

"That's Sal's area of the city," Andrei said, a clear look of worry on his face.

"He's a dead man," Adrik said as he grabbed a helmet and climbed on a bike. We all followed quickly. Even the dealers jumped into two SUVs, ready to help us out once more. Looks like taking care of Salvadori was getting bumped up on the schedule.

We followed Sephie's signal. As we got closer, it was obvious that she had stopped moving. It was going to take all of us to keep Adrik from rushing into whatever was waiting for us. It was highly likely that they were going to use Sephie to set a trap for Adrik.

We got within half a block of Sephie's signal and Viktor stopped us. "She hasn't moved for a few minutes. I think it's best we see what we're walking into first. We don't know if Ivan is still with her or how many guys they have."

"You and Andrei go check it out. I won't be able to hold myself back if I go," Adrik said.

Viktor nodded and he left with Andrei on foot to get a better look at where Sephie was. They were only gone a few minutes. The looks on their faces when they returned made us all panic. Viktor held up the tracker he'd given Sephie, along with the helmets they were wearing when they left the warehouse.

"Hopefully this means Ivan is still with her, at the very least," I said.

We could all tell that Adrik was slowly losing control of his anger. I'd seen him when he'd lost control a few times. The carnage that he left in his wake was impressive. He wouldn't hesitate to burn this city to the ground if it meant finding her. Lord help the people of the city if something happened to Sephie. There would be no survivors.

Adrik looked toward Misha. "Anything?" he asked, almost desperately. Misha got that faraway look in his eye that meant he was running through scenarios in his head.

"They're still alive as far as I can tell, but that's all I've got right now," he said.

"FUCK," Adrik said. "She could be anywhere."

"We'll find her. Ivan will protect her, as long as he's with her. They don't know who they're dealing with when it comes to both Ivan and Sephie. Ten bucks says they escape before we can find them," Viktor said, trying to put Adrik at ease.

"We're going after Dr. Moretti right now. I need to beat someone within an inch of their life right now," Adrik said, getting back on his bike. Might be a change of plans for the doctor too. We had planned on holding him until the bosses were taken care of and then turning the doctor over to the police. They would get the credit for capturing him and he would have a very public trial for his crimes against the city. We might be improvising on that plan now.

It didn't take long to make it across town to the doctor's house. The house was quiet. He was being watched 24/7 to make sure he didn't try to escape. The guys watching him said he'd gotten home about an hour before we arrived and had been in the house since. There were a few lights on in the house. The rest of the block was quiet. We waited to see if we could see movement in the house. He walked by an open window eventually, giving us the confirmation we needed it was him.

Adrik didn't say a word, he just moved quickly toward the house. Even when he was so angry he couldn't see anything but red, he was still a skilled assassin. He moved silently and quickly to the house. He was inside in seconds, moving like a ghost through the house. The doctor didn't know what hit him. His face was unrecognizable by the time we got in the house. It took all four of us to pull Adrik off the doctor. We managed to push him to the next room while the other guys that were with us got the doctor secured and removed him from the house. They would take him back to the building and put him in a room.

Adrik started to calm down, but only slightly, after the doctor was removed from the house. We walked back outside, back to the bikes. He was slowly becoming distraught as his mind played out every scenario around Sephie being captured. We needed to find her quickly or there was going to be tremendous fallout when he fully unleashed his chaos.

I caught Misha on the way back to the bikes. I took my earpiece out and clicked it off, motioning for him to do the same. He did, but had a concerned look on his face. "I have an idea, but I need your help," I said.

"I'm listening," he said, puzzled.

"It involves the high strangeness we've all witnessed with Sephie and, well, all of us. We have to convince Boss that he can find Sephie on his own. He can feel her. I know he can. We just have to convince him he can. I need your help to do that," I said.

Misha thought for a minute, then a small smile crept over his face. "Stephen, you might be a genius."