Chapter 22 - Konstantin

Hearing my phone chiming next to me, I picked it up. Swiping over the screen, I saw a text from Mila. I read the message.

"We are surrounded by the enemy Bratva. Dahlia's cousin texted her he needed help. So, I offered to go along. But it was a trap."

Jumping out of the chair, I saw red. The chair went flying across the room. My blood was boiling. How dare anyone touch the woman I love, and my sister. Filling with rage, I swore they would regret their actions. I felt sick to the pit of my stomach. The world turned for a second before I could move.

As I stormed past Piotr on my way to the armory, I almost walked him off his feet. "Whoa there, slow down, champ. What's going on?" I heard him calling after me. I had no time to explain and was in no state to be lectured.

Opening the safe, I grabbed my silver Desert Eagle and a box of bullets. I added my two favorite knives to my belt and slipped on into my boot cuff. Today, blood was going to flow.

Turning on my way back out, Piotr grabbed me by the shoulders. "Brother," he breathed out. "You will not do what I think you are without us! Tell me what happened; what is going on?"

I was shaking from the rage running through me. I couldn't form any words, so I handed him my phone. Piotr's eyes widened as he read the text. "We have to get Leon," he huffed. "We must go in prepared; we need a solid plan."

Piotr turned and left, taking my phone with him. I struggled to find my feet. Everything felt numb as I tried to understand what was happening. After the job this morning, she was so excited. Things were coming together, and now this.

Glancing at my watch, it was almost time to head home. Why didn't they wait for me? I could have gone with them to protect them. They both knew the dangers. Walking slowly, I headed back up and went to Piotr's office.

He was on the phone as I entered. "Love, are you with the twins?" he asked Alyssa. I couldn't hear her reply, but as he continued, I knew she was. "We need their help to find the Dubow head office now! We need to know every building and business they own. Trouble has come our way. They have taken Dhalia and Mila."

The door opened behind me, and Leon stepped in. He took hold of my arms as he spoke, and I didn't hear what Piotr was saying. "Don't worry, brother, we'll get them. Come help me gear up."

We headed back to the armory. Leon made sure we had bulletproof vests, enough guns, and ammo. After packing the carry case, we headed back up to see if there was any news. I felt slightly better staying busy and knowing we were making plans. As the brain fog started clearing, I could think straight.

Piotr glanced at us and then spoke in his serious tone. "You will also be wearing a bulletproof vest; I won't be losing your reckless ass today. Do you understand?"

I nodded, hearing him and not wanting any arguments, I agreed. "Yes," I said. "I move faster without it. But I want to be around when my babies are born. I just need to get Dahlia back. I need my family." I realized that if I took this on lone wolf style, those things might not have become a reality.

As we headed to the cars, Piotr's phone rang. Leaving all the vehicles, we decided to take Leon's truck. We headed to meet Alyssa and Cindy at the location the twins gave. Across the street sat one of the most expensive clubs in the city. I couldn't believe it was one of theirs.

"Right," Alyssa said, opening the building plans on the table. "This is the staff entrance, and our best point of entry," she added, pointing to a small door on the side.

As we got out, guns ready, the front doors opened. Two guards walked out. They were holding up a woman between them. They glanced at us as they pushed her into the road. She lifted her head and we saw it was Mila.

Running over, Piotr and Leon took hold of her as we walked back to the van. I was ready with my guns aimed at the door. As they helped her in, I had to ask. I couldn't wait. "Where's Dahlia? Is she inside?"

"Slow down," Mila said, spitting out some blood. "I'll explain in a minute." Her face was swollen on one side, and she looked quite beaten up. I didn't like what I was seeing.

Once we were all in the van, Alyssa and Cindy checked her wounds. "They're all superficial. She'll be fine, a bit drugged but fine."

Anxiety filled me as I sat watching her. I didn't like the fact that only Mila came out of there. I needed the information she had to rescue Dahlia. "What can we give her to bring her back quicker?" I asked, hearing the fear in my tone as it fluctuated.

"Maybe an adrenalin shot," Cindy replied. "However, depending on what they gave her, we could do more harm."

Piotr tapped my shoulder as he spoke. "Give it a second, please."

Stepping out, I paced up and down the side of the van. My mind was traveling at the speed of light. I felt my insides making knots. After a couple of minutes, Leon knocked on the side, and I got back in.

Mila's color was slowly returning, and she looked slightly more awake than before. As she spoke, we couldn't believe our ears. "Her cousin isn't her cousin."

"What do you mean? You're not making sense, Mila," I replied, feeling frustrated as it appeared the drugs hadn't worked out.

"Dahlia's cousin isn't her cousin; he's her half-brother and leader of the Dubow Bratva," she finally spat.

Shaking my head, I replied as calmly as possible. "I still have to go get her. She might be scared or think I abandoned her."

As I turned, Piotr grabbed my shoulders and spoke in an even tone. "Don't be reckless. We know nothing about them, not even how many of them there are. We need a plan. Let's take a breath and do this right."

Feeling my anger turning into rage, I shook loose from his grip. "I have to go get her. I have to save her!" I spat at him.

Trying to push past him, I felt Mila taking my hand. Glancing down, I saw the tears in her eyes as she spoke. "I'm so sorry. I tried, but there were too many. I had nothing I could leverage either. They took her away from here, I don't know where."

Bending down, I hugged her. "No, don't do that. You did what you could. You are not to blame." I whispered. My heart felt like it was breaking in two as she sobbed on my shoulder.

Before I got up, I heard Leon speaking behind me. "For now, we know she's safe; she's with family. I don't think they'll hurt her bro. We need to find out where she is, regroup, and make a plan."

Looking up at him, I nodded. There was a large ball of clay stuck in my throat, which I had to swallow before I could speak. "Okay, but if we don't come up with a solution soon, I'm busting in."

Leon and Piotr grinned at each other. "Then we're coming with," they added in unison. We headed home so Mila could get some rest.

After I felt a little calmer, I went back to the office. There was work to be done. Still feeling restless, I couldn't even sit down. As soon as I did, my legs would bounce and shake. My every thought kept going back to Dahlia, no matter what I tried. Then it struck me: I loved her. I could not imagine a life without her in it.