by Piper Stone
“I know you did, baby. Can you tell me anything?”
“Two men took him but there were four vehicles. Your driver...” She closed her eyes, swallowing hard. “He tried to swerve. Likely saved my life.”
I took another glance around the scene. The bastards who did this had been hiding, waiting for them. Someone had betrayed me. “Can you remember anything else?”
She sighed, blinking several times. “I didn’t recognize them. I’m so sorry.” Tears slipped past her lashes, her ugly sighs festering in my heart. “You have to get Dimitri back.”
“I will find him.”
“What do you want me to do, boss?” Maksim asked as he moved closer.
“Scour the goddamn countryside. Find Dimitri. Put out notice on the streets that anyone who has any involvement will die at my hands. If a hair is touched on my son’s head, they will die. If anyone knows of his whereabouts, I will reward them. I’m going to the hospital with Willow but leave no building unscathed and no rock unturned.” I shifted until I could face him, taking several deep breaths in an effort to control my anger. “And Maksim, hunt down Peter Church. I want him now.”
“I’ll do everything I can, boss.” Maksim shifted his eyes toward Willow, giving her a subtle smile. “We’ll find Dimitri. We will.”
I only hoped that would be the case or I would tear Peter limb from limb.
I rode with her to the hospital, my mind reeling as I attempted to figure out who the hell could have done this. The betrayal was from within, someone who I’d trusted with my business, my life and that of my son. Retribution would be swift and riddled with pain.
She reached out, finding my hand. “You think Peter has Dimitri?”
“I’m almost certain.”
“What are you going to do?”
I pulled her hand to my lips, simply holding it there, trying to garner any level of comfort for myself. “What is required.”
“If Peter has him, then he won’t stay in town.”
I gazed into her eyes. “Do you have an idea of where he might have taken Dimitri?”
“Maybe. He owns a beach house on the Jersey shore.”
“Tell me where.”
“I’m going with you. You have no choice. If that monster hurt the baby, I will...” Willow finally broke down, weeping quietly, tears streaming down her face.
I cradled her, my mind muddled with possibilities, trying to catch my breath. “You just need to rest.”
“I am going with you.”
I wanted her by my side, the woman who’d sparked my heart, giving me reason to live. I also wanted to keep her safe, but I knew in my gut that she’d never let me go alone.
“Remember, you’re a good man,” she whispered.
That’s where she was wrong. I was a cold-blooded killer and my wrath had just begun.
As she was wheeled into an examination room, my resolve kicked in. There were two people who could have told Peter the plans for getting Willow and Dimitri out of town and one I trusted completely. Jonas would never do such a thing.
I moved through the hospital, trying not to attract any attention. When I turned the corner, I waited until the various emergency personnel left the room before approaching. The room itself was dark, full of machines keeping him alive. I eased toward the side of the bed, peering down. Within seconds, Thomas opened his eyes, the terror instantaneous.
“How long?” I asked, unsure if the man could even talk. He’d miraculously survived the accident, his injuries minor. A planned event no doubt for his betrayal.
He twisted his mouth, darting his eyes back and forth in the room. “Boss, I...”
I placed my hand over his mouth and nose, shaking my head. “Maybe I don’t give a shit.” I squeezed, pushing down with enough force he immediately began to struggle. “You need to die for your sins and your betrayal. You made the wrong choice.” There was blood in my eyes, viciousness in my heart. I’d been forced to do many heinous things over the years, my conscience clear after making the decision.
Perhaps a moment of reckoning had entered my system as the faces of both Dimitri and Willow crossed in my mind. And I could hear her words.
“Remember, you’re a good man.”
Whether or not that was the truth was difficult to fathom. As Thomas continued to flail, the man far too weak to fight my actions, I bristled, finally yanking back, taking several deep breaths as he gasped for his own.
The man would die another day, but likely not by my hands.
I walked out of the room, somehow changed in several ways. What I had to do was concentrate on getting my son back.
No one was going to stop me.
* * *
“You’re certain of this,” I said casually, following the GPS coordinates as the adrenaline continued to flow.
“There’s nowhere else Peter could have taken him. Just trust me,” Willow said as she leaned forward in her seat.
She wore the scars of a battle she should never have been involved in, her face mottled with cuts and bruises, yet her resolve was unlike anything I’d ever known. We were close, only ten miles out and if she was right, Dimitri would be in my arms within thirty minutes.
I’d dispatched several of my soldiers to follow, although keeping a respectable distance. The last thing I wanted to do was to warn Peter in any manner.
The unseemly game was still in play, Robert calling to extend his condolences as well as the fact Peter had disappeared. Perhaps Willow was correct in her assumptions. If not, there were no other leads at this point and no ransom note. My son had all but disappeared.
“He has a security system, but I know how to bypass it. There’s an area you can park about three hundred yards away and out of the view of the cameras.” Willow shot me a look, trying to offer a smile. I knew what she was thinking. We had one chance.
I followed her lead, parking the Mercedes just under a bank of trees. The area was still lush, even given the time of year, the foliage full enough that it would hide our approach. She crept through the underbrush, every step calculated. She’d been through this before.
When we were fifty feet from the house, she hunkered down. “If you go around the side of the house, you can cut the electricity without Peter knowing immediately. He has no backup, no generator that I know of. And he’s here.”
She’d pointed to a car positioned in the driveway. For him to be this brazen meant she was supposed to have died in the explosion, the only person who knew of this particular location.
I found the power supply box easily enough, able to cut through the lock without issue and cutting the main line. While twilight was already setting in, there were no indications of lights on in the house. We might have a chance to arrive undetected.
I kept her behind me as we headed toward the rear of the property. I peered in through several windows, growing more discouraged by the minute. There was no sign of them anywhere.
Then a single sound.
A muffled cry.
And I rushed into action, moving in through the single unlocked window. As Willow crept in behind me, her gun firmly planted in her hand, I had further doubts about bringing her with me. Peter could easily take out either Dimitri or Willow even if I got off a shot.
The next few seconds were tense as I determined the location of Dimitri’s cry. The door was closed. I motioned her away before kicking it open, storming inside. The office was elaborately decorated, the area fit for a king. But there was no sign of anyone.
As I heard the cry again, my attention was drawn to an intercom placed directly in the middle of the desk.
“You must think I’m a fool.” Peter appeared out of the shadows, both hands positioned around a weapon, a gleam in his eyes.
“What the hell have you done with the little boy?” Willow demanded, taking long strides toward the other side of the room, stealing a few glances around the perimeter.
“I assure you, he’s still alive. For now.” Peter’s laugh shifted through every cell in
my body, creating another round of rage.
“Your time is up, Peter. Your inventory has been stopped before its arrival. Your men are being rounded up and your investors have already been notified about your criminal activity, although I would venture a guess they were a part of this.” I kept my words even, prepared for any move he made.
He laughed again as he moved closer. “If you think your actions are going to stop my business plan, you’re dead wrong.”
“And if you think the Solntsevskaya family hasn’t been told about your indiscretions, you’re dead wrong. The czar was very interested.” He had no way of knowing whether my words were true or not. I noticed the flash in his eyes and decided to play the hand. “All those offshore accounts, money that was supposed to go to them, a requirement for giving you power.”
The tic in the corner of Peter’s mouth was enough to let me know I’d hit on the mark. He’d been two-timing the one group of people that would eliminate him without question.
“You’re bluffing,” he said, huffing under his breath.
“Do you really want to take that chance?”
Willow shifted even closer to him, pointing the gun between his eyes. “You lied to me. You used me. Why? I never did a damn thing to you.”
Peter instantly bristled. “You have no idea, sister. You never did and perhaps you never will.”
“Know what? Tell me!” she insisted, her arms shaking, and I could tell she was ready to fire a shot.
“You’re such a bitch, Willow. So trusting. You’re such a fool!” Peter exclaimed.
I took the opportunity, lunging at him, the force knocking him to the floor. We wrestled, the man much stronger than he looked. I smacked his hands against the floor, the gun flying across cold tile. He managed a hard kick, pitching me several feet away, but I already had the advantage. With a single hard smack to his jaw, he went down.
Within seconds, Willow stood over him, her hands wrapped around his own gun, positioning the weapon only three feet away from his temple. “You’re the fool, Peter, and now you’re going to die.”
I placed my hand on hers. “Remember what you told me. He’s not worth it.”
Her face sagged as she slowly tilted her head in my direction, a single tear sliding down her cheek.
When Peter shifted, ready to fight to the death, I smashed the gun against his head, the man crumpling instantly. He would live for however long it took the Russian thugs to find him.
The simple little cry dragged us both back into reality and Willow shot into action, racing out of the room. Seconds, later, my soldiers were inside, standing over the fucker while I fled out of the room.
I found her in a distant bedroom, Dimitri cradled in her arms. She rocked him as he clung to her.
“Dimitri is all right. He’s just fine. His desk drawer. Peter kept everything of importance at this house. There’s a safe hidden behind the picture next to his desk. He used my birthday as a combination. Remember that Peter always has something up his sleeve. Don’t underestimate him.” Her voice was steady, her eyes imploring.
I nodded, knowing my son was in good hands and took long strides back to the man’s office, tearing through his desk. What I found were papers, the truth behind his shipments including documentation of those very same offshore accounts I’d been given notification of, but there were several more that hadn’t been discovered. Peter was a wealthy man. Greed had been the only thing Peter Church had loved, turning his family’s legitimate business into a goldmine.
And his death warrant.
The combination was also correct, providing ample amounts of cash and bonds, as well as a little black book with names of the investors and the fact they’d fully understood what they were getting in the middle of. Heads were going to roll, including many of his investors.
However, there was no smoking gun, no indication of anyone that would have had opportunity to cut my family off at the knees.
I sat down in his leather chair, realizing that there was nothing that would exonerate my father either. What the fuck was I supposed to do now? Goddamn it. The asshole wasn’t going to win this. I slammed my weapon on the desk and swiveled the chair, trying to lay out another plan. That’s when I noticed the picture and remembered not only the word ‘club’ but something both Willow and Jonas had mentioned before.
Golf.
I eased out of the chair, grabbing the photograph into my hands. Years and months, the past and present collided together, a knowing settling in.
Then I smiled, the anger abated.
* * *
I’d been told more than once that I was a horrible monster, a ruthless human being feeding on the inadequacies of human nature. Perhaps that was true, but I’d learned valuable lessons over the past few days. There were others equally evil who hid behind masks of integrity.
I was finally able to put everything into perspective, realizing that my rather jaded life might have another purpose.
The information I’d provided to the commissioner had started a firestorm in the city, dozens of arrests occurring in a short period of time. The fallout was continuing. While there was no actual evidence that Peter had been behind the mayor’s murder, my father had been released on bail and from what I’d heard, the charges would be dropped.
I’d purposely allowed law enforcement to know exactly where Peter’s shipments were, as did Lorenzo and Dominick. That would garner good will. However, the fact Peter still had one ship unaccounted for continued to bother me. Maybe the Russian czar had taken claim since a message had been delivered to them in a less than satisfactory manner.
Stay away from the United States.
Whether they would or not remained to be seen. At least I’d been able to leak Peter’s true activities to sources who no doubt released it to the Solntsevskayas. I knew I hadn’t seen the last of them, but at this point, all was quiet.
The worst part was knowing that Jonas had been involved, although at a lower level. My father was incensed and I knew Jonas wouldn’t be able to run or hide.
I had one last thing to do, but not until after talking with my father. I had to know that he could handle the situation with Jonas.
I heard his footsteps and moved to a standing position, ready to pour him a drink. He’d been through a hell of a lot, mostly given the information regarding Jonas.
When he walked in, I’d anticipated an enraged man. Seeing the smile on his face, I was surprised. “Father.”
He walked closer, pulling me into a bear hug. Another surprise. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. You seem...”
Easing back, he chuckled then walked toward the window, placing his hands behind his back. “I’ve lived a long time, our family forced to face dozens of enemies.” His accent seemed heavier today.
“With few allies we could trust completely.”
“You might be surprised. Don’t get me wrong, I’d kept my blinders on with regards to Jonas, but every man has a price. My wise son once told me that.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry that I had to tell you that.”
He turned around, giving me a nod of respect. “Wise words.” As he walked closer, his eyes became darker, his control evident. “You’re going to allow me to deal with Jonas my way. Personally. No questions asked.”
“Fair enough. You know there are more influential people involved. There will be additional fallout.”
“I’m not worried, son. Our family has endured much worse.” He seemed thoughtful before speaking again. “There is an old saying. Derzhite vragov ryadom.”
“Keep your enemies close.”
“Yes. Perhaps a part of me knew that Jonas couldn’t be trusted entirely. For that, I take full responsibility.”
Now the sadness crept into his eyes.
“I understand,” I said quietly.
“It’s time for me to give you some fatherly advice.”
“And?”
He smiled once again, closing the distance. “You need to live aga
in, son. You are a great leader and you deserve happiness.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m very proud of you. If you have love in your heart, you will never be alone.”
My father was a wise man and I didn’t take what he said lightly. The love I had for Willow was something special and she would ease the loneliness.
And maybe she’d be able to heal my broken heart.
* * *
I sat in the waiting room, fingering a glossy magazine, simply waiting my turn. My father had insisted that perpetuating friendships allowed for fair business practices, the streets unbloodied by needless wars. I was beginning to have my doubts.
“Mr. Petrov. He’ll see you now.”
The lovely blonde had flirted with me without shame, but her obvious advances had been easy to ignore. I had no room for passion.
I gave her a respectful nod before walking down the hallway, adjusting my suit jacket before walking inside.
“Aleksei. Good to see you. I certainly wish it was under better circumstances.”
While he held out his hand, I chose to ignore it, instead reaching into my pocket and fishing out the photograph I’d taken from Peter’s office, sliding it across the desk.
The police commissioner’s smile faded as he glanced down. “Where did you get this?”
“From a well-known source, Robert. The mayor’s dying words mentioned a club. Little did I know it meant golf buddies.” I watched his face sag as he began to understand what I was insinuating. “Several well-respected attorneys, including Wallace Greenbriar, who of course you know worked for the Church family, subsequently made certain Peter kept a wealth that didn’t belong to him. Yourself, the mayor, even my father’s own consigliere were a part of a very different club, one that hungered for wealth and power.”
“I can explain.”
“I’m certain you can,” I said without any particular tone in my voice. “When my father’s consigliere found out about the Church family, their true surname being Solntsevskaya, people who fled the tyranny of the Bratva for a better life, he enlisted the help of his buddies. Only these two good people wanted nothing to do with bringing another faction of the Bratva into the United States, so you had them killed. The plan concocted was brilliant: use the son, a man who had no issue playing a role in order to provide prosperity to all of you. Given Peter’s hunger for money, he had no issue following orders.”
