“No stops unless we all make them together,” Vasily told the guard before closing the door.
As he walked over to the vehicle waiting on him, he pondered how amazing it was that Royal didn’t know a lot about the men who guarded her. None of them were angels, none better than the others, none less deadly. It was an unfortunate fact that she would slowly come to find unless she accepted them for what they were – killers.
Looking across the tarmac one last time, he saw Simeon standing at the base of the stairs that let up to his plane. He watched Vasily while speaking to someone on his cell phone, facial expression much more serious than it was when he spoke with Royal. Something wasn’t right. Vasily nodded to him one last time before he pulled off his weapon slung over his back, slipped it on the floor of the vehicle and jumped in the passenger seat. Slamming the door shut, he waved his hand for the driver to proceed forward. “Let’s get out of here.”
Lilly sat in the back with Dylan, arm draped protectively over his car seat. The radio drowned out the sound of the boy snoring lightly with his head buried into the side of his car seat. Speaking just low enough not to wake him, Lilly immediately jumped to the defense of her friend while adjusting the vent to make sure too much air didn’t blow directly into her son’s face.
“What did you say to Royal?” she asked, accusation lacing her intrusive words.
“I told her…what she wanted to know,” Vasily answered as the car pulled into the long procession of SUVs headed into the city.
She knew her husband well. He was not talented with the gift of a smooth tongue. Often, he came off much too aggressive, even when he tried to be thoughtful. It was because of that, she had to remind him of what this situation was like for the women he was now responsible for guarding. “I know you’re used to this kind of thing, but Royal is not in a good place right now. Be careful with how blunt you are, Vasily. She’s been through a lot. We all have, but she’s been through more.”
Vasily inhaled a deep breath. He might as well lay the foundation now, so he didn’t have to go back and revisit it later. “I know better than you do what she’s been through, and I know that it’s a lot to take in. But even so, there is no place in this situation for fragility,” Vasily reminded, snapping his head back to look at her directly. He turned all the way around in his seat to give her his full attention. Her big brown eyes were burning through the side of his temple at first, but the look on his face made her break with her own soft reprimand. The furrow of his jet-black brows and intensity in his stare told his true concern, veiled, very lightly with the little civility he could muster. “Things are not going to get any easier. In fact, they may get worse before it’s all over. You all need to toughen your fragile sensibilities. Your feelings are not the worst things that could get hurt now. Your comfort level, while important, is not the most important thing for me – safety is. Your lifestyles must be put on hold indefinitely – accept that. This is not Memphis, and this is not a game. We are fighting for our lives.”
Lilly pushed back in the seat and looked out of the window. How much worse could it get? She dared not ask. It bothered her that Vasily might still know something he wasn’t sharing, but how could she get him to break with his first allegiance to Dmitry. Sucking at her teeth, she clenched her jaw.
“Do you hear me talking to you?” Vasily asked sternly, refusing to blink as his nails dug into the middle console. His tone sent a chill down his wife’s spine. He could see it by the way she adjusted uncomfortably in her seat.
The driver kept his eyes on the road and his mouth shut, but even he could feel the mood change instantly in the vehicle. He glanced in his rearview mirror to check behind him but could not help glancing in the woman’s direction. She looked defiant, lips pursed together, but the mist in her eyes told that he was bringing her to tears.
Lilly finally looked back at her husband. “Yes, I hear you,” she said, voice softer.
“Good,” Vasily said, finally dropping his head. He knew he had hurt her feelings, but she needed the truth. Turning back around, he opened the glove compartment and pulled out a 1911 handgun with the serial numbers removed. Sliding the magazine in forcefully, he racked the slide to automatically cock it.
“You loaded and ready?” he asked the driver, placing his gun in the door’s side compartment.
“Yes, boss,” the driver answered.
“If something should happen, protect my child and wife. I’ll handle myself,” Vasily said, resting back in the seat and glancing out of the side view mirror.
“Yes, boss,” the driver answered again.
Lilly glanced at the back of her husband’s head and felt guilty for prying. He had put her in her place. It was not the first time during their marriage, of course, but it stung nonetheless. He was right though. Things had reached a head for their family, and she needed to behave accordingly. It was time to put on her big girl panties and get out of her feelings.
“I need a weapon,” she said, sitting up. Clearing her throat, she wiped the small tear that threatened to fall down her cheek. “Just in case.”
Vasily turned around and saw the reddening of her cheeks, but he appreciated her effort. It was always unspoken with them – the constant checks and balances of things and he loved her for it.
The guard, without being asked, pulled one of the guns from under his seat as he kept his eye on the road and one hand on the steering wheel. He passed it to Vasily for inspection. When Vasily was certain it was ready to go, he turned to Lilly and passed the weapon to her.
“You remember how to use this, right?” he asked.
Lilly nodded. “Sure do. Point and pull the trigger.” She slipped the weapon in her purse and pushed closer to her son. “Let’s hope I don’t have to.”
The Witness Restaurant
Irkutsk Downtown District, Siberia
7:30 a.m.
Driving through the city had been another unexpected treat. Irkutsk was breathtaking. It had old world charm with colorful cabins, multi-colored roofs.
Situated on the top floors of a new skyscraper on the Angara River with panoramic windows that showcased a view of the waterway, the city below and the morning sky, The Witness restaurant had proven already to be a gem in itself. The restaurant was made up of finely upholstered booths of rich textures and vibrant colors accented with colorful velour pillows. Cedar tables were dressed in crystal drinking glasses and white linen. Long-stem white lilies and an array of colorful roses popped out of crystal vases at each table. Mirrors against the back walls made the space light up with the vibrance of the rising sun. Large paintings rimmed in gold were embedded in the windows and in the middle of the large space a hand-carved bar with tall barstools sat invitingly with a bartender awaiting orders.
Had it not been during a crisis, the VIP treatment bestowed on the Medlov family would have been a mind-blowing experience. But for now, it was simply appreciated.
Just as Simeons promised, he had pulled out all the stops for the family, serving them a five-course meal created by his world-renown chef, served by waiters in white shirts, black slacks and guns in holsters, and while ensuring colorful balloons, small gifts and miniature cakes were presented to the children.
Vasily appreciated that the glass was functional as well as beautiful because of its bullet resistance. Plus, the elevated positioning ensured that a sniper or gang of thugs didn’t get the drop on them as they could have with a restaurant on the lower floor.
The manager of the restaurant had assured both Vasily and Nadei that their membership was exclusive, hence the armed waiters, and the family was safer there than most any other place in the city except the government building.
Royal particularly appreciated all the flare for all the kids. After their strenuous journey, they needed a break – something to pull their minds from the deep crevasses of danger. Seeing their smiles, even briefly, made her lower her guard just enough to enjoy her own food, although it still was without true taste as she dwelled
on her husband’s disposition. She would be numb to everything until she saw his Dmitry’s face again, but there was no need to share that with anyone.
In a separate room encased on all sides by reinforced, gleaming glass, the women congregated alone at the chef’s table, a black circular monstrosity of a sofa in front of a customized quartz-topped table with sparkles of diamonds. They had been brought a feast fit for kings along with a few alcoholic beverages while Vasily, Nadei and Anil spoke privately toward the front of the restaurant where the children played and watched Disney on the flat screen televisions.
“What did Vasily say to you when you were alone?” Royal asked Lilly, plucking a chocolate covered strawberry from her china plate. Though she wasn’t sure he had said anything, she doubted that he had remained quiet the entire ride.
Lilly shook her head and looked toward Vasily through the glass to make sure he wasn’t approaching. “He told me basically to man up.”
Renee grinned sheepishly. “Sounds like him. They’re all covering for each other.”
“You know they are going to keep us in the dark unless we push,” Valeriya said, wishing she had a phone to call Gabriel. But there was no point. Even if she had a phone, who would she call? The previous numbers had been abruptly cancelled even before they left Memphis.
“What do you suggest?” Royal asked, willing to hear all good ideas.
“The men can’t stay away forever. When they arrive, we need to hold a meeting, lay out our position, insist upon being an integral part of any planning or implementation of this code-red-thing.” Valeriya glanced over at Royal. “It’s the only way we can be truly comfortable.”
Lilly smirked. “Vasily said our comfort level was not top of the list anymore. He basically covered all of our feelings on the matter with a blanket statement of shit is getting real, so adjust accordingly.”
“It’s because they don’t truly believe that we can step up. We have to show them,” Valeriya countered. “Up until now, I’ve been consumed with the what-ifs of it all. But I realize we have to take charge in order to shape the narrative of how things are going to play out – at least on our end.”
Royal agreed. “You’re right. They think we are made of glass right now. Maybe we have been. But when we get to wherever we are going, and we need to regroup. Set up our own plan and wait for our husbands to arrive. When they get to us, we sit down and insist on knowing everything.”
“What if they say no?” Anastaysia asked, thinking of her bull-headed brother, Anatoly.
“We don’t give them an option,” Renee said as the baby pushed a foot into her navel. “Scratch that. You guys don’t give them an option. I’m going to focus on this baby.”
Royal smiled at Renee. “Good idea.” She pushed her food away from her. “The point is that we need to prepare, just like them. No more sitting on the sidelines.”
Nadei glanced over his shoulder at the chef’s table and made eye contact with Anastaysia. Since being uprooted from the house in Memphis, he hadn’t been able to say two words to her, and it was killing him. He worried for her, that she was afraid and worse that he couldn’t be there for her, but he had a job to do now to keep them all safe.
“So, Simeon is in play,” Vasily said, licking his lips as he kept his voice low. “Which means we are preparing for war, even if nobody is saying it.”
Anil bit on his fingernails, a bad habit recently acquired since coming into the Medlov family. “And who is this Simeon again.”
“A big boss like your father,” Nadei answered, turning away from Anastaysia. He yawned, body trembling as he covered his mouth. “He and Dmitry go way back, but they don’t normally cross paths. Most bosses don’t until a meeting of the international council.”
“If he’s rearing his head, it’s worse than we thought. It also means that Dmitry made contact with him. So, at least he’s alright. Simeon made sure to tell us he was headed to St. Petersburg for a meeting. That must be where the council is convening to discuss the attack.” Vasily motioned for Dylan to stay over at the table with the other kids instead of interrupting as he was about to do, then resumed his conversation. “Once we get to the mountains, we can expect a large group. Simeon didn’t say it, but I doubt he’s sending Daniil alone.”
“Daniil,” Nadei bucked his eyes. “That fucker is crazy.” He had a hundred stories over the years working with the guy and knew that his name wasn’t even uttered unless things had reached a fever pitch.
“Yeah, I know.” Vasily looked at his watch to check the time. “But we’ll need him. We can expect a package if he’s coming also. More reinforcements and a hell of a lot more guns.”
“Alright, so where do I fit in?” Anil asked, ready to take a more active role. “I don’t mean any harm, but I don’t want to sit around like one of the kids. I can handle myself.” His blue eyes gleamed with the promise, hoping the men didn’t see him as a liability instead of an asset.
“We know you can handle yourself,” Vasily assured. “But we don’t need you to handle a gun. We’ve got plenty of men for that. If Simeon is here, it means that our stay will be longer than we first thought. So…” he raised his brows at Anil, “I hope you know how to deliver a baby.”
“A baby?” Anil bit his bottom lip. “The doctor thing is not going to happen, is it?”
“I doubt a doctor and staff will stay for over a month, secluded from everyone and unwilling to disconnect from the outside world with a bunch of killers preparing to either wage an attack or defend against one.” Nadei hit Anil on the back. “You’re it, man. Now’s your time to shine. We know killing, but you know life.”
“I shouldn’t have opened my fucking mouth,” Anil said, turning around to look at Renee. What in the hell had he gotten himself into? She was going to kill him.
Vasily laughed at the young man’s response. “You want in, you got it. Just keep your mouth shut. Don’t let on until Renee demands to know why the OB/GYN is a 22-year old pre-med student. By then, hopefully Anatoly will be back and can handle the fallout. Until then, study hard, little doctor. Brush up on breathing techniques and shit.”
“I don’t want to see it,” Anil said, cringing at the thought of Renee’s vagina. “Anatoly might kill me.”
Nadei laughed now. “Well, you want to be a doctor. You were going to see one eventually.”
“I’ve seen vaginas before, it’s just different when…” Anil was lost for words. “It’s your sister-in-law.” He frowned and shook his head. “What if something goes wrong?”
“It won’t. People help give birth every day. It can’t be that hard,” Vasily said to Anil, motioning toward the guards to get into position. “Let’s wrap this up. We need to get on the road again. There is still a very long drive ahead.”
“I thought we were close,” Anil protested.
“Nowhere near it,” Vasily said apologetically.
Lake Baikal
Southern Siberia, Russia
1:00 a.m. the next day
After a nearly 17-hour drive from Irkutsk through the winding roads, thick, lush forests and mountain trails of the Baikal, the family finally arrived a few miles from the city of Kichera at a large gate off the side of the road. The gate connected a long stone wall that spanned as far as the eye could see, guarding another road inside that was recently paved with black asphalt. A man in a wooden shack stepped out with his AK-47 and opened the gate quickly, then waved the group in as several guards at the end of the convoy stepped out to help with guarding the post.
As soon as the gate opened, the convoy pushed ahead down the long empty road until the gate and wall disappeared behind them. Speeding now, they moved up a winding hidden road that led up the side of a mountain and ended at another even larger gate that was opened for them. As they pulled into the circular drive, illuminated by bright lights that covered the property, they laid eyes a modern resort-style cluster of upscale cabins and buildings.
The vehicles pulled up in front of the house and parked,
idling down as additional guards jumped out and secured the perimeter.
“Please, God, tell me we are finally here!” Renee said as Alexandria complained of having to pee again. Renee pressed her head toward the window, hand on the door knob, anxious to get out. If she didn’t get in another car for a month, she’d be happy.
But she wasn’t the only one ready for the long journey to end. Everyone looked out at the massive estate inside of a towering stone wall, keeping the world and all the wildlife who lived in the mountains out of view.
Doors opening and closing echoed through the otherwise quiet property. Crickets chirped in the background as well as the sounds of owls calling out in the trees. Kids cheered to be free. Parents stretched their backs. Guards went to work.
“No wonder Dmitry never brought me here,” Royal said, massaging her lower back as she stood outside of the SUV. She looked up at the main cabin, a mansion of epic proportions, painted dark blue with white shutters and a red roof.
“Why is that?” Renee asked, coming to stand beside her friend.
“Because I would have never come,” Royal said, seeing a graying muscular man in a white button down, slacks and a holster with guns step out on the wrap around porch. She narrowed her gaze. “Stepan?”
Stepan waved at her as Anya broke out in a run to give their old butler a hug.
Royal was lost for words. Walking quickly to the base of the stairs where Stepan came to greet her, she wrapped her arms around him. “What are you doing here? I thought you retired.”
“Da, I did,” the older Vor said. “Here. Dmitry asked me to keep an eye on the place. I live here now.” He looked down at Anya. “It was a security measure, just in case.”
“Just in case what?” Anya asked nosily.
“Just in case, you ever needed me,” Stepan said, guiding his Medlov women inside. “Let me give you a tour and get you situated.”
Dmitry's Redemption: Book One (The Medlov Men 7) Page 22
