by Linzi Basset
“Yes, it’s him. The members of the Bratva suspect that he’s still alive, which is why I believe no one has officially been appointed to take over as the Pakhan.”
Lance held up his hand. “Hold on, mate. Why wouldn’t he inform the mob that he’s alive? Under the circumstances, one would think he’d surround himself with his soldiers.”
“Because he believes there’s a traitor in the Bratva,” Jack guessed.
“Yes. He doesn’t trust anyone, especially as he believes it was one of his own who took the shot that was supposed to kill him. The only person who knows where he is, is his wife—Thanks,” Sean said as he accepted the drink Ethan handed him. “—and me. He’s become paranoid.”
“How did you manage to gain his trust?” Rhone stared at him intently.
“It was a stroke of luck that I even got close to him. It took me six months to find his hideout by staking out his wife 24/7. I had to fucking piss in a bottle and eat stale food until I felt like puking, but in the end, it paid off. She was clever and outwitted me for months. I suppose he warned her to be extra careful. With reason, of course. I spotted at least three different groups watching her at the same time. I started to feel like an amateur. No one has ever been able to shake me.”
Alex nodded in agreement. “Sean has the reputation as the Metropolitan Hunter. Where others hunt down tracks in the wild, he does it in the city.”
“Anyway, she was crossing the street when an out of control car came screeching around the corner. I managed to reach her and got her to safety within a hair’s breadth of being run down. She would’ve been killed if I hadn’t gotten to her in time. She was too shaken to walk on her own but refused to wait for the authorities and asked me to assist her to the penthouse of the apartment block she’d been going to.” Sean smiled grimly. “And I came face to face with the most feared Russian mobster ever.”
“Where in Russia was he hiding?” Keon sat forward and watched Sean intently.
“In Rybinsk, the second largest city of Yaroslavl Oblast. The apartment block faces the Volga River,” Sean said.
“But the Bratva operates out of Moscow, don’t they?” Jack took a sip of his drink. He too was sitting upright. The tension in the room was palatable. Everyone suspected there was a reason why Alex had asked Sean to join them.
“Correct, which is the reason he’s hiding out of sight.” Sean chuckled. “But in luxury, nonetheless. He was so grateful I saved his wife that he invited me to stay for lunch, with an ulterior motive of course. I wasn’t even grilled as much when I was drafted into the covert team as he did that day.”
“Luckily, Sean’s cover was intact. He’d barely left that day, before Vladimir started a full background check on him,” Alex interceded.
“That’s what I’ve been wondering.” Rhone looked at Alex. “How did Sean manage to go undercover in Saudi Arabia at the same time as he was drafted by Vladimir?”
“We’ve built a portfolio for Sean as a gun for hire. Vladimir knows him as Steve Brown, his alias for most covert ops,” Alex continued. “He was so impressed with Sean’s record, he immediately approached him with a work offer.”
“I played hardball when he approached me at first. I told him I’m a highly paid gun for hire and don’t just work for one man. He didn’t care and was like a dog after a bone. I suppose living in seclusion was getting to him.” Sean grimaced. “In the Russian Mafia, Vor, which means thief, is an honorary title given when a recruit shows considerable leadership skills, personal ability, intellect, and charisma. Vladimir trusted me enough to bestow the title onto me. Even though I’m not officially part of the Bratva I had to accept the code of the Vor v Zakone, thief in law. My main purpose is to keep him informed of any suspected Bratva operations within the US borders, even if it means I have to eliminate suspects in the process. He’s looking for the person who backstabbed him. He believes the theft of the MOKV designs is another effort to set him up to take the fall,” Sean said.
“So, we can assume that the person who is after the exalted position as the Pakhan of the Bratva is the one trying to draw him out of hiding so he can be caught and locked up for good?” Jack speculated aloud.
“Correct or killed in the process. The fact that the plans of the theft had been leaked in such an obvious way, triggered our suspicion,” Alex said with a nod.
“It has to be someone who knows Vladimir very well, who knows he will come out of hiding to protect his own name.” Jack glanced at Sean. “Which I suppose brings us to the reason for your visit.”
“Vladimir was the one who told Sean about the team arriving in the US. He wants him to infiltrate that team and find out who is behind the scheme. Since the Bratva is currently ruled by the Brigadiers in charge of the four criminal cells, it stands to reason that one of the four had come up with this scheme,” Alex asserted.
“Vladimir believes Andrei Smirnov, the Avtoritet, is the one who would be able to shed light on that. He was his confidant all these years.” Sean tilted his head back to finish his drink.
“Just how are you going to manage that? If they’re here with the Sixth Order or any of the other syndicates as their backup, you’ll have to infiltrate one of their ranks first. I don’t think there’s that much time to play with,” Ethan said.
“Tasha Alenichev,” Sean said shortly.
“Vladimir’s daughter?” Jack frowned at the thought.
“Yes. Rumors have it she’s bitter that he hasn’t taken her into his confidence about his location. She’s been leading many operations outside of Russia since he was shot,” Sean confirmed with a grimace.
“Are you saying she doesn’t know where he is? How fucked up is that?” Max got up to get another drink.
“Don’t tell me Vladimir believes his own daughter had something to do with his assassination attempt?” Keon held out his glass to Max for a refill.
“Vladimir Alenichev is a completely unemotional man. His daughter had taken it upon herself from a young age to train in all aspects of the Russian Mafia to become his successor—against his desire of course. She has turned into a Bratva, through and through. She portrays the same unemotional state as her father. Apparently, she’d been pushing him for years to hand over the reins to her.” Sean sat down and stretched out his legs.
“A woman in charge of the Russian mob?” Lance scoffed. “Now that’s a new one.”
“Exactly. Vladimir laughed it off. The attempted assassination came in the wake of him informing her she will never become the Pakhan. That the position of Brigadier was the only concession he was willing to make.”
“And you want to throw yourself at the feet of a woman who has steel running through her veins? You’re fucking crazy,” Ethan balked.
“Vladimir believes it’s the only way in,” Sean said grimly.
“He told you to … what? Seduce his daughter to gain her trust?” Jack slumped back in the chair.
Sean nodded.
“Jesus, how fucked up is that?” said Bruce, who had just arrived and caught the last of the conversation. “A father throwing his own daughter to the wolves.”
“When it comes to the Bratva, nothing and no one is above redemption,” Alex interjected.
“So, he believes his own daughter is the one trying to oust him?” Jack asked.
“Yes, and that’s why I need a wingman,” Sean said in a quiet voice. He leaned forward with his hands hanging between his legs as he looked at the faces surrounding him.
“You’ve got all of us at your back, Sean,” Rhone assured him.
“I expected you to say that, Rhone,” Sean said. “However, I need someone to play the role of an overzealous asshole, so I can ride in like a knight on a white horse and save her from his libidinous advances, so to speak.”
“Fuck, you don’t ask much, do you?” Jack scoffed. “That chick might be the size of a pixie but she has the reputation to cut a man down to size with no more than a look.”
“Perfect! Thanks for offering your serv
ices, Jack,” Alex asserted with a wide smile.
Jack locked his fingers together over his chest and leaned back. He stared Alex down. “Why do I get the feeling I had been the preselected wingman?”
“Because, apart from Sean, you’re the only one who speaks Russian fluently,” Alex said unperturbed at the dark look Jack shot at him.
“Yeah, there is that,” Jack begrudged.
“Don’t worry about it, mate,” Sean said. “From what Vladimir had said and Intel I’ve gathered since the theft of the MOKV, the Bratva doesn’t seem to be in a rush to move the encrypted file out of the country. Not until they’ve managed to decipher it. They don’t want to take the chance of being caught with something they can’t benefit from.”
“What are you saying? That we’re gonna have the fucking Bratva on our doorstep to deal with too?” Bruce slashed his hand in the air as a sign of irritation. He was becoming fed up with all the death and murder that had been following them for years.
“Jesus! Isn’t the mafia and the Sixth Order enough?” Lance agreed.
“I’m afraid so, which means Sean’s cover has to be impenetrable. There has to be no link to anyone in this team.” Alex looked at Ethan and then Jack. “Not even the two of you.”
“Great! How am I supposed to know when to make the big move?” Jack asked. His eyebrow lifted in a dubious arch.
“I’ll contact you when the time is right, which could be a couple of weeks. I’ve set up perimeter checks already. I know the team and especially Tasha’s movements. I’ve made a point of her noticing me in the neighborhood where they’ve rented a house in Fort Washington on Broad Creek. The house has its own docking bay and they’ve got a speedboat anchored there,” Sean said.
“Clever. If they need to get away fast, there’s no better escape route than the open seas,” Keon mused.
“So, did the Ice Princess notice you?” Jack prodded. A smile quirked his mouth.
“Yep. According to Vladimir, one of Tasha’s weaknesses is men. More specifically, tall men with huge muscles.” He shrugged as he pointed to his body. “Which, as you can see, I fit to a T.”
“Yeah-yeah, little pup, enough of the self-praise. Get back to the story,” Bruce chuckled.
“We rented a house for Sean in the neighborhood as well, so his presence there won’t be suspect,” Alex interjected.
“I pretend to be a recluse with a big-ass, black Great Dane as his only companion,” Sean smiled. “Fucking scared the shit out of me the first time I saw him. He jumped on me with his paws on my shoulders and looked me in the eye! Anyway, our first encounter was a nondescript little nod in acknowledgment as I jogged past her.”
“I bet that must have irked the Princess,” Jack said.
“Sure did,” Sean laughed. He looked around. “One thing we do know is that they’re on the lookout for the best IT guru out there to unlock the code.”
“They’ve already eliminated two who weren’t up to the job,” Alex said in a quiet tone.
“Eliminated?” Rhone frowned in question.
“Two bodies washed up at Quantico, both hackers who were well known for the ability to decipher encrypted files. That’s how we know they’re planning on staying in the US until the file has been unlocked and the Intel verified. They’re obviously working their way through well-known hackers who work off the grid, but eventually, they’ll go searching for the best. We all know who that is,” Alex said.
“Yeah. Max and Richard.” Lance glanced at the two men who didn’t seem perturbed at all.
“If the Bratva is involved with the Sixth Order, they’ll steer them clear of us. They know better than to offer us a bribe to aid in corruption,” Rhone’s voice deepened in anger.
“You’re assuming they’ll ask, Rhone.” Keon stretched his legs. “We’re talking Russian mob, my friend. They take what they want and, if they want Max or Richard for the job, they’ll go after them. All guns blazing.”
“Yes, and that’s why you have to be aware of your surroundings all the time,” Sean interceded. He glanced at Jack. “So mate, are you up for the challenge?”
“Of course, but there’s just one flaw in your theory.” Jack smirked.
“And that is?” Rhone frowned at him.
“When the little Russian Princess slaps eyes on me, Sean doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell to charm her.”
“Ugh! Save us from your vanity, mate,” Max groaned but laughed along with the rest of the group.
“Just stating a fact, Maximilian. Just stating a fact,” Jack’s amused eyes shot toward the door, and his sixth sense urged him to get up and yank it open. His gaze turned cold as he stared at the woman who quickly stepped back, her eyes growing wide under his visible anger. His face turned thunderous and his voice lowered dangerously. “Are you lost, Emerald?”
Chapter Six
Jordan squirmed on the barstool. The pear inside her vagina tormented her more than she’d thought possible. Not to mention that she was sitting in a wet puddle from all the juices that flooded from her slit with the constant vibrations of the egg. Especially when the demon Master Black, flicked the switch and increased the strength.
“Wherever the hell he is,” she muttered under her breath. She stole a surreptitious glance to the tinted window of Master Razor’s office where she knew the meeting was being held.
“How much longer are they going to be? I can’t stand this anymore,” Jordan complained loudly to Joanne who seemed in an equal amount of stress.
“Neither can I. Maximilian knows how much I hate these vibro balls,” Joanne moaned. “And this time he used the one with four fucking monsters up my ass. If I clench my teeth any harder, I’m gonna crack one of them.”
“That’s it. I’ve had enough,” Jordan proclaimed. She winced as she jumped from the chair and the pear inside her reacted with an increased pulsing action. “Fuck! I’ll probably have to shuffle. I’m so wet the damn thing is likely to just slip out by itself.”
“I advise you not to remove that egg yourself, Emerald. This is nothing compared to what Master Black will do to you if you willfully disobey him,” Samantha lilted as she slammed the tray onto the bar. “Shit!” she hissed as the chains pulled tight and stretched her nipples.
“Ace, time to remove the clamps again,” Master Wade, the Club Manager, who doubled as barman now and then, ordered Samantha. She scooted over to him with a relieved look on her face. At least Master Razor had the forethought not to leave her nipples clamped for longer than fifteen minutes at a time.
“You at least get some relief, Ace, other than us who have to suffer nonstop. No, I’m gonna find him and demand that he removes this fucking thing.” Jordan trotted toward the stairs, ignoring the warning voices from the two women that followed in her wake.
Searching Jack out behind closed doors served a dual purpose. Apart from the desire to rid herself of the annoying pear, she might be lucky to overhear what they were discussing. She hadn’t missed Governor Alex White arriving. That could only mean they were discussing something related to National Security that Precision Secure was involved in. Instinct warned her it was directly related to the case she had been pulled into, however much unwilling. It was the first time such an opportunity arose and she couldn’t let it pass her by. She needed a breakthrough. The first step had been to get close to one of the Senior Masters. She’d pushed her luck when she’d arrived on his doorstep uninvited, but it couldn’t be helped. Putting her own neck in the noose had been the only way to infiltrate the close-knit and well-trained Black Ops group.
She didn’t have a target when she joined Club Devil’s Cove but the decision had been made from the first time she’d set eyes on Master Black. She was immediately attracted to him. He had a magnetism she couldn’t resist—to her own detriment—because now, she was already caught in his trap and questioned every action she took.
“Don’t disappoint me in this, Jordan. You know I depend on you to get this done. It’s the best way to get t
he information we need. Precision Secure is the only organization that has been delving into Crown International and its owner’s background. They have the answers we need,” the urgent voice echoed inside her mind.
She took a deep breath and slowly approached the closed door of Master Razor’s office. She hesitated and looked around. No one could see her from below. Her thighs began to tremble as she tiptoed closer. She lifted her fist against the door and pressed her ear next to the wooden surface. Her entire body was strung as taut as a piano wire. She was scared shitless but had to try and find a way to get some information.
Shit, Jordan, if you get caught eavesdropping red handed you’re screwed!
The deep murmur of voices was muted and she couldn’t make out what they were saying. A sudden burst of laughter followed by Jack’s deep voice resonated through her.
“Just stating a fact, Maximilian. Just stating a fact.” She straightened as his voice seemed to come closer. She gulped back a cry of surprise when he yanked open the door and anchored her to the spot with a cold glare. His face turned thunderous and his voice lowered dangerously. “Are you lost, Emerald?”
Jordan trembled under his onslaught of fury that scorched her with a look. She lowered her fist, which was still raised, and gulped down the fear that threatened to drag her to her knees.
“No. I came looking for you.” She cleared her throat at the croak that escaped from her lips.
“And that’s why you’re skulking outside the door?”
“I wasn’t skulking.” Jordan squared her shoulders and assailed him with an annoyed stare. “I was about to knock when you yanked open the door. Nearly gave me a heart attack too, lemme tell you,” she grumbled in pretend annoyance. On the inside, she was praying he would believe her. It wouldn’t do to destroy the plan she’d been working so hard to set in place.
“The kind of response I’d expect from a guilty eavesdropper.” Jack folded his arms over his chest. His face turned brooding. “Didn’t I tell you not to move from that barstool until I return, Emerald?”
