Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
The remaining one walks closer, his eyes cold as they lock on me. “Miss D’Angelo, I take it you heard that I killed your friend? I had great joy cutting her throat.”
I shake my head wildly. “You’re lying.”
He shrugs, then stares long and hard at me.
“You’re lying,” I scream, unable to process that Abbie died such a horrible death.
Shivers creep down my spine as the reality of my situation sets in, and my grief is joined by the harrowing thought that if Abbie is really dead, I’ll be joining her soon.
Chapter 36
Misha
Knowing I only have a small window of time to get to Aurora, I rush into Director Koslov’s office with Alek and Armani right behind me.
Christ, my heart can’t handle this. I need to get to her, and God help the fuckers who attacked her.
“Misha?” Director Koslov asks as he stands up from where he’s sitting behind his desk.
“Aurora was just attacked. I have her live location. I need men.”
“Did Viktor sanction this order?” he asks.
“No.” I keep holding my phone to my ear so I can hear what’s happening. Right now, there’s an eerie silence only disrupted by a groan and metal creaking. I’m assuming there’s been an accident, and although I know Aurora might not hear me, I ask, “Aurora, are you okay?”
There’s no answer to my question, and it makes my worry increase tenfold.
Turning my attention back to Director Koslov, I say, “I’m hiring the services of St. Monarch’s.”
He nods. “How many men do you need?” he asks as he walks toward me. “It’s twenty thousand per guard for one hour.”
I don’t give a fuck how much it costs.
“Ten men, and we need weapons.”
Looking at the guard stationed by the door, Director Koslov instructs, “Get ten men ready to go in the next ten minutes.” His eyes flick back to me. “You have to make an upfront payment.”
I glance at Alek. “Make the transfer. I don’t want to lose the call.”
Alek nods, and pulling out his phone, he goes into his banking app and transfers the funds.
Director Koslov gestures to the doorway, and we hurry toward the armory, where he allows us to take what we want. For a price, of course.
Each of us grabs a Heckler & Koch submachine gun, a Baretta, and a Glock.
Director Koslov points at armored vests. “Take those as well. Consider it a gift.”
“Thank you, sir,” I mutter as I grab two, tossing them at Alek and Armani. I strap one over my chest, tuck the guns behind my back in the waistband of my pants, and sling the strap of the machine gun over my shoulder.
I strap an ammunition belt on and load it with clips.
Director Koslov’s phone beeps, and he checks it. “Thank fuck,” he mutters before his eyes lock on me. “It’s not the bratva.”
I assumed as much, and I’m ninety percent sure I know who’s responsible.
Director Koslov lets out a sigh. “You’re dealing with the yakuza.”
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
“Please hold Kazuo, Seijo, and Takahary until I get back.”
He shakes his head. “They left on Thursday.”
“Blyadʹ,” I snap.
I hear shouting come over the line, and my attention focuses on what’s happening to Aurora. I hold up my hand, so everyone remains quiet.
They’re talking Japanese, so I don’t understand a fucking word, but a second later, I hear Abbie cry, ‘NoNoNoNoNooooo!’
My blood runs cold in my veins when I don’t hear anything from Aurora. There’s clothing rustling, a grunt, and two gunshots.
No.
They won’t kill her.
You know how this works. It’s personal. The fuckers want to make you suffer so they won’t give her a quick death.
“Let’s go!” I bark before I run out of the armory.
“Good luck, Misha,” Director Koslov calls after me.
We pile out of the castle, and I’m relieved to see the ten men waiting. I take a second to acknowledge them all.
“Thank you. We’re up against a faction of the yakuza. I have no idea how many men.” I check my phone for Aurora’s location and see as the beacon moves along a road.
“Follow us. The target is moving.”
I take the passenger seat while Armani slides behind the steering wheel.
Alek jumps into the back, muttering, “Fucking yakuza.”
I connect my phone to the SUV’s Bluetooth, so the live location is up on the screen for Armani to see.
He takes one look, then starting the engine, he steers the vehicle toward the gates.
The other SUVs follow right behind us, and I check my weapons to make sure I’m ready for action.
“It looks like they stopped,” Armani says, drawing my eyes to the screen.
Leaning forward, I maximize the map to see exactly where they are.
“It looks like a trainyard,” I mutter. “Plenty of fucking places to hide.” I point at the edge of the yard on the map. “Stop here.”
“Like I needed the fucking exercise,” Alek mutters. “How many fucking carriages are there? And there are the outer buildings as well. It’s like looking for a specific straw in a haystack.”