“I am. You fucking stalker.” I headed to the bedroom and opened the door.
Jean-Pierre stood in the center of the room.
Twenty men pointed guns my way.
Slowly, I put the phone away. “Very. Cocky.”
Jean-Pierre gave his phone to his cousin. I recognized him as Giorgio—the one they called the Butler. Giorgio wiped the phone with a cloth and put it in his pocket.
My four men pointed their guns at him.
Outnumbered for now, I gestured for them to put the guns away. “This is smart, Jean-Pierre. But have you really thought this through?”
Surprisingly, he frowned. “I must admit that I haven’t thought this through at all.”
“Why not?”
“This was a quick plan, due to your men and you arriving back to the house earlier than we thought you would. You interrupted my interrogation. Therefore, I had to hide somewhere and come up with an idea fast.” Keeping the gun on me, Jean-Pierre unbuttoned the front of his jacket and sat down on the bed. “Anyway, this will do. There was no way I would have been able to get to Emily. It would have been impossible. You have her surrounded. My cousin Louis tells me you even have two helicopters following her around. Does she know how desperately you’re trying to keep her safe?”
I remained still. “What do you want for the information?”
“Getting into Russia was even more difficult than I thought it would be.” Jean-Pierre gestured to a few men on his right. They rushed over to my guys and took their guns and then returned to the back.
I leaned my head to the side. “How did you sneak into Moscow? Did you dress up like a girl?”
“I came over like a migrant. That was the only way to avoid your people.”
“Like a migrant?”
“Hundreds of migrants sneak over the Norwegian border into Nikel, Russia every week. A barbed wire fence stretches all along the Russian side because you’re barbarians.” He crossed his legs. “While the Norwegian side has no fence, there is a sophisticated system of watchtowers, cameras, personnel-radars, and border guard soldiers on patrol.”
“None that noticed you?”
“No. We wore a disguise.”
“I would love to hear more of that story.”
“We’ll have time, since you’re coming with me.”
I laughed. “You’re now going to kidnap me?”
“I’m taking you along so that I can have a more relaxing stay in Moscow and have a proper meeting with Emily.”
I put my hands in my pockets. “So, you’re going to take me somewhere, provide a meeting place for Emily, and then discuss what you want there?”
Jean-Pierre looked at Giorgio. “See. I told you he would understand.”
Giorgio didn’t appear convinced.
“This is interesting.” I studied him. “How will we leave here?”
“Gun to your head. The usual. None of your men want you killed. Even though they’re terrorizing your mouse, they don’t want to replace you. I gathered that from my conversations with the men in your cell.”
“And what else did they say?”
“We’ll talk more about that later.” Jean-Pierre rose and placed his hands to the side. “I don’t want you to die. I’ll be taking great care with you.”
“Because my mouse has me wrapped around her little finger which prevents me from destroying France and you.”
“I knew you would understand.” Jean-Pierre smiled. “We are building a great relationship. Anybody replacing you may not be as nice with the Corsican. Besides, I really like Emily. She has a lot of spunk.”
I’m going to kill you.
Jean-Pierre motioned to me.
All of his men kept their guns at my head. Seven surrounded me. Another ten shoved my security out the way. While I could take five or six without a gun, there would be more to come. But there was no reason to fight. Jean-Pierre was serious about him rather dealing with me than a new brotherhood predecessor. Additionally, I understood that this entire matter could be beneficial on my side. Jean-Pierre had an idea of who was behind the dead animals, he didn’t necessarily want to kill me, and his kidnapping would irritate the shit out of my mouse.
No more friendship for you two.
With their guns out, the six men circled me.
I glared at Jean-Pierre. “Let’s go.”
“My cars will arrive once I give them the signal.”
We headed away from my bedroom.
If someone had told me days ago that the French would have been in my house, holding me at gun gunpoint, I would have shot them. My men stood back, powerless and enraged.
Not a smart move. They didn’t cuff or tie my hands.
We left the bedroom and headed downstairs.
This fucking week gets better and better.
Pavel and David had their guns out downstairs along with many of my other men. It could be a decent shoot out, if I allowed it. Lots of bullets. Lots of death. And perhaps, my own body getting slammed with bullets.
I shook my head at Pavel and David. “Put the guns down for now.”
“Thank you, Kazimir. Yes. The guns are simply a formality.” Jean-Pierre clapped his hands and smiled. “This is a meeting of gentlemen. However, I didn’t think you all would let me take him on a ride.”
David glared at him. “This might be the dumbest thing that you’ve ever done, Butcher.”
“No, King David. Not the dumbest. But, probably close.”
David got near him.
Giorgio aimed a gun at his head. “Tsk. Tsk, King.”
Pavel looked at me. “What do you want us to do?”
“Call the mosquito. Tell him to fly in the air.” I left the house with the perfumed pansies and my escort of ten French men. It was a surreal moment. Never did I think Jean-Pierre would dare to step on my property, or have the balls to take me. All day I had been worried about my mouse, giving her most of my men and leaving myself open.
And now I was captured.
Well-played, Jean-Pierre, well-played.
Several white SUVs arrived by the time we left through the front door.
One parked in front of the house.
Still not restraining me, they loaded me into the backseat of the third SUV.
You’re too cocky, Jean-Pierre. Big mistake.
Giorgio sat beside me with a gun shoved into my side. I turned his way and smiled.
He frowned.
Jean-Pierre climbed into the front seat.
Another man started the engine and sped off.
No more men in here? Are you sure about that, Butcher? Do you think I’m seeing logic and will calmly go off with you?
I winked at Giorgio. “Why did you clean the man before you tortured them?”
“Because he was filthy.”
“Eh!” Jean-Pierre grabbed our attention. “Stop talking to him, Giorgio.”
“That’s easier for you to say.” Giorgio widened his eyes. “You don’t have the lion by gun-point sitting right next to you.”
I kissed the air near Giorgio. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Don’t.” Giorgio dug the gun deeper into my side.
The SUV shot forward.
I leaned closer to him. “You should know that I like you out of everyone. You’re my favorite pansy of them all.”
Giorgio blinked. “Why is that?”
“Guess.”
“My organization skills.”
“No.”
“I’m better looking than the others.”
Jean-Pierre turned around again. “Stop talking to him.”
Other SUVs rode in front and behind us. We hadn’t left my property’s grounds yet.
Closing the distance between us even more, I whispered to Giorgio, “I actually do find you to be the sexiest of them all.”
Shocked, Giorgio’s mouth dropped open.
“It’s your style.” I smiled. “And your impeccable ability to wear a suit just right.”
The gun
slipped away from my side, just a few inches.
I slammed my head into Giorgio’s face. Pain sparked around my eyes. I ignored it. Then, I rammed my elbow into the dumb ass’s throat. The gun shot out, but I had already heaved up, and the bullet blazed past me, shattering the window. The SUV screeched and kept rolling.
Fast, I snatched the gun and shot the driver. He fell against the wheel.
Jean-Pierre pulled his weapon on me, but I knew he didn’t want to shoot me.
No friendship with the mouse, if I’m harmed.
I surged toward the front seat, even as the SUV rushed towards the crop of trees ahead. When Giorgio grabbed my waist, I shoved his head against the window. It cracked. Blood dripped from his nose. Next, I grabbed for Jean-Pierre.
The SUV crashed into trees.
We all jerked to the side from the impact. Our bodies rising in the air before crashing back into the seats of the vehicle. I was halfway through the center of the vehicle, but I still had the gun in my hand. Jean-Pierre’s head hit the dashboard. The car stopped moving.
I used all my energy to drag myself back, hurried to open the crushed door, and jumped out of the vehicle.
Shots rang out around the property. People yelled. Russians and French battled all over the front yard.
Warm liquid trickled on my cheek. I touched it and saw blood on my fingers.
Fast as they could, my men appeared and surrounded the car. A gunshot blasted. My blood froze. I wasn’t ready for Jean-Pierre to die yet. He had too much information that could keep Emily safe.
I gained my breath and yelled at them, “Don’t kill Jean-Pierre or his cousin just yet. We need them.”
Panting, David got to my side. His suit was ripped. He’d clearly been fighting with others.
I checked behind me. More Russians and French fought in the driveway.
Pavel arrived next, shooting at the car and almost killing Jean-Pierre.
“No!” I got in front of him. “Don’t kill them. Keep them safe. If he gets a bullet, you get one.”
Pavel stopped shooing and raised his hand in the air. “Anything else?”
“End the battle. However many of his men survived, put them in the cells after you empty them of the dead bodies.”
Pavel widened his eyes. “What are we going to do with Jean-Pierre and Giorgio?”
“We’re going to give them to David. He knows the men well. He’ll guard them.”
Pavel’s expression shifted to worried. “And then what?”
I patted his back. “And then we’re going to have a little fun.”
Chapter 22
Krokodil Tears
Emily
Boris road in the limo with me as we headed to Abram’s brothels, which was on the edge of the district.
“There it is.” Boris pointed at a large gray warehouse. “We shouldn’t go in today.”
“Why not? I want it shut down.”
“His customers are heavy hitters. His security is top notch. They won’t shoot you, but they will kill us.”
The limo slowly drove by. Six armed men stood on the outside. A camera sat at the top of the building. Surely, he had a high level security system. On the side, there was an entrance to a back parking lot.
I checked my watch. I would only have an hour and a half or less before Kaz’s men found me. I didn’t know how much I would get done. “Okay. Do me a favor and have several men watching this place.”
“I can do that.”
“I want to talk to one of the girls on the inside. Get some building plans too. I want to know all entrances and exits, as well as anything about his security on who goes in and out.”
“No problem.” Boris took out his phone. “I can have all of that by the evening.”
“Nobody makes a move until we have a plan.”
Max looked at me. “What do you think we should do?”
“Shut the motherfucker down.” I glared at the building. “Even if the women were of age, he lied about it. Which tells me the whole spot is shady. What do you know about the girls that work there, Boris?”
The limo continued, heading off toward the drug house a few blocks away.
“They say Abram is a master of manipulation. He hangs around not just this district but others, luring poor girls and feeding them with dreams of a better life.” Boris grimaced. “He knows the right ones to get—many that were molested, homeless, or from broken homes. He likes them young and desperate.”
Max nodded. “One of the worst type of pimps.”
“He takes them places, buys them clothes, and then one day he brings the girls to the warehouse.” Boris glanced over his shoulder as the warehouse left our sight. “They get stuck working for him, thinking they owe him money, and once they pay it off they’ll get to leave. But, they never leave.”
I frowned. “They live at the warehouse?”
Boris nodded.
“So, shooting up the place is out of the question, not until we get everyone out of it.” I tapped my finger against my leg. “How do you know so much?”
“Last year, I lost my little cousin to this brothel. Natasha. Yuri and I broke her out. It was damn near impossible to do. She came outside for a regular smoke break. Ten guys watched her. We killed them. Yuri got shot in the leg. I was shot in the arm. Abram’s people searched for her for months. Many wore military uniforms. I was sure they were with the government. We ended up hiding her in a Christian drug rehab center on the other side of Moscow. She’s there now pretending to be an addict. I had nowhere else I could hide her.”
I gave him a sad look. “How old is she?”
“Twelve.”
“Jesus Christ.” Max shook his head.
I leaned back in my chair, sad for all the girls in Kapotnya. “We can get Natasha out of the center and protect her better.”
“Good because that’s who I wanted you to talk to tonight. I just wasn’t sure, if it would put her in danger. I’m sure Abram is still looking for her. She knows a lot about the brothel.” Boris sighed. “Natasha told me that Abram called her his favorite girl. She sat in a lot of meetings.”
Max jumped in, “But, Abram could have changed everything since her disappearance.”
My nerves flared on edge. “Bring her to me this week. I’ll make sure to protect her. And I’ll have this brothel closed soon.”
“Closing it won’t be enough, Em.” Max stared out the window. “Guys like this will just start another brothel somewhere else. In fact, they’re probably already planning it since you have control of the district now.”
“Which is why we need a plan.” I stared forward. “We go in there, under disguise, and kill everybody. People will think we had something to do with it, but they won’t know for sure.”
“This will be a big job,” Max said.
“We’ve got the men and the guns.” I checked my watch. “We just need the time.”
“And approval from your lion,” Max added.
“I’m not telling him now.” I held up my hand. “I know you’re going to say I should, but he has enough shit going on. And I don’t want him to drop everything and help me with this. He’s already giving me most of his men and leaving himself weak. This job stays between us.”
“When will we do it?” Max asked. “I go to Kaz next week.”
“Then, we shut down shop in a few days.” I turned to Boris. “Get that info tonight and bring me Natasha, please. Time is running against us. Did your cousin say anything else about the brothel?”
“On the outside the building looks abandoned. Within, the place is all luxury. She was a baby in a world where grownups did what they wanted. Billionaires and politicians. Royalty. Elite of the country. It’s a dark and ugly situation covered up with lots of money.”
“All these top guys going to an underage sex ring.” My eyes watered. Sadness washed over me. “Maybe, we should turn around and just go for it. Hit the brothel.”
Boris shook his head. “We can’t rush it. We’ll be dead by
the time we take the first step.”
The limo stopped in front of what looked to be a block of abandoned buildings.
My motorcade of men parked all around us.
I spotted a young girl talking to a man in the car. She had tired eyes. I saw those sort of eyes every day in Harlem. Girls that had accepted the fact that they were prey. Looking as young as fourteen, she had on a purple top and zebra pants. After a second, he handed her some money, and both got in the back.
The car sped off.
While little girls’ body prepared for puberty, the wrong men saw them and readied their cocks. No sense of humanity. Just predators searching out the young. And some girls didn’t have mothers to protect and shield them. And many women simply turned the other way, not watching for ones that didn’t know any better.
Boris spoke, “They call this Krokodil Central. It used to be shopping center. Abram has a guy running it. His name is Erik.”
“Erick lives in the building?”
“Yeah. On the top level. I heard he’s crazy.”
Max studied the property. “To live here, one would have to be insane.”
I looked at Boris. “How many men do you think Erik has?”
“Not more than ten. He just deals with rotting teens all day. This isn’t cocaine or heroin. People aren’t busting in to take over territory.” Boris gestured to the first level. “All of Erik’s cookers are in there. Once the addict gets the drug, they go up to the higher levels to use it.”
I took in the area. “They smoke it?”
“No. They shoot it up their veins.” Boris rubbed his baldhead. “A lot of these kids are from orphanages. They get out and have no help, so they start selling heroine for a local gang. But there is no businessmen here. They end up shooting it up themselves. Once they’re out of money, they switch to Krokodil. It’s cheaper.”
Fuck. This is going to be a huge clean up. Kaz, you’re right. This district will keep me busy.
I leaned Boris’s way. “Tell the driver to park. I’m getting out.”
Boris frowned. “I can’t let you do that.”
“I’ll be fine as long as we bring everybody with us.”
Boris put in the order.
The limo stopped.
Boris left before me, went to the trunk, and pulled something out. When he came back, he handed me a bullet proof vest.
Dirty Passions Page 25
