Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Karine puts a hand on my leg. She looks at me, and her deep, beautiful eyes are surprisingly calming. I reach out and touch her gently, before pulling her close and kissing her softly.
Anton clears his throat. “I’m still back here,” he mutters.
“Thank you, I’m aware.” I ignore him and let Karine lean against my shoulder. She keeps me centered in a way I’ve never experienced. Normally, in the moments before a battle, I’m a wreck of overflowing energy, but suddenly it’s like a rough ocean’s gone totally flat.
I feel centered and in charge.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I took Karine as my wife because I wanted to save face when Oleg’s daughter ran out on me, and because I thought I could use her to get closer to her family. It was always about business with her.
Until something changed.
Maybe it was gradual, or maybe it was all at once. I don’t even know for sure. But I find myself obsessing about her constantly, and the only times I feel like I’m truly at peace are the moments when she’s touching me.
Those are the times when I know without a doubt that she’s safe.
Time drags on. Anton makes small talk and Karine indulges him. Normally, I’d tell him to shut the fuck up, but I guess she’s bringing the best out in me. An hour passes and I’m looking at the clock like it can’t be right, but there’s no message from Arsen, and the restaurant is still quiet.
“I’m going in there,” I announce and draw my gun.
“Absolutely not.” Karine shoves it down and glares at me. “You know the plan.”
“Something’s gone wrong. It’s been too long.”
“He said it wouldn’t be right away. He told us to wait.”
“We waited. Now I’m done waiting.” I gently push her back. “You stay here and don’t move until I’m back.”
“Hold on.” She looks at Anton for help, but he only shrugs. What can he do? I am the pakhan, and my word is law. If I say we’re going in, then we’re going in.
Karine tries to hold onto my arm, but that’s barely a nuisance. I push the door open, and I’m about to step out onto the sidewalk, when the front door of the restaurant opens.
Arsen and another young man come storming out.
I hesitate but slip back into the car and quietly close the door.
“That must be his brother,” Karine says, staring at the pair. They’re talking quietly and it looks like they’re having an argument.
Arsen gently pushes Tigran and points down the street. Tigran glares back and shakes his head. It’s obvious that Arsen’s trying to get his brother to leave, but his brother’s being stubborn.
“Now it makes sense,” Karine says, almost whispering like they might overhear. “This is why he didn’t call us in earlier.”
“Because he’s having a fight with his brother?” Anton asks.
“No, because he wanted to get his brother out of danger first, and his brother’s being a stubborn asshole.” Karine leans forward, watching intently. “Come on, Tigran, go home.”
I watch her, unable to peel my eyes away. It’s the intensity of her face, like her entire body is bubbling out and totally engaged in what’s happening. She’s beautiful, and the street lamp light makes her hair almost glow. It strikes me hard, how deeply in love with this girl I am.
The drama on the sidewalk finally ends with Tigran storming off. Arsen watches his brother go, his expression hard, before turning in our direction.
He nods once and disappears back inside.
“Tell the men to get ready,” I say to Anton.
And the text arrives moments later.
It’s time.
Chapter 42
Valentin
We go straight in the front door.
I have Karine’s voice in the back of my head as I storm the main dining room. The employees and the patrons stare with horror as I hold my gun in the air and shout for them to get out. Nobody moves for a beat, before the couples closest to the door make a run for it, and when it’s clear that we don’t plan on stopping anyone or killing them, the rest of the diners follow until the front of the house is empty.
Several soldiers have my back as we move forward toward the private room across from the kitchen. We scouted this location out a few days back when Arsen told us about this meeting and I’m glad we did. Otherwise, we’d waste precious moments trying to figure out where the meeting’s taking place.
The door’s closed. I hesitate outside and listen, but there’s no sound beyond. I glance back at my men and nod before stepping back to kick it down.
Suddenly, it slams open, knocking me backward. Something small and round trickles out, and I have about two seconds to form a coherent thought before the world turns into light and pain.
The explosion is deafening. I’m thrown back into the dining area and hit the floor hard. Glass and shards of wood pepper my face and chest, and I feel little cuts all over myself. I groan and push myself up, my ears ringing like crazy.