Chapter 1 - Kolya
After settling our differences and coming to a peace agreement with the Chernykh and Dubow families, I took some time off. For the last three months, I have left most of my business dealings in the hands of my men.
I felt refreshed and ready to get back to business. Clara, my sister, sounded happy, and for that I was grateful. But now that I no longer needed to protect her, I had time on my hands for other things.
Entering my home office, I placed my cup on the table before opening the windows. Looking out, I smiled as the world seemed to make sense. It had been years since I had felt so calm. Everything felt like it was in place. The world seemed at peace. I could hear the birds chirping in the large oak trees.
Strolling back to my desk, I switched on the computer as I sat down. Picking up my cup, I lightly blew at the steam rising from it as the screen flickered and then brightened up. I only check my emails once a week for any major developments. Now I have time to check all of them carefully.
There were many emails. Most of them appeared to be nonsense. As I started deleting, I noticed a couple of emails from a law firm I didn’t recognize. Placing my cup down, I opened one.
I sat back in shock as I read through the email body and opened the attachment. It was a lawsuit against me personally. Opening them all one after the other, I saw they all contained lawsuits. Some are against me, and others are against my company.
“What the fuck!” I uttered in disbelief. Slamming my fists on the table as I rose. The table vibrated, and small ripplesformed on the top of the dark liquid in my cup. Moving to the window, I breathed slowly, trying to calm the raging storm that was building inside me.
This is not how problems are handled in the Bratva world. All my allies and even my enemies know this. It’s always better for everyone if office institutions are kept at bay. If things don’t go as planned, there are other ways we deal with it. This is not the way.
Turning around, I leaned back against the window, glaring at my computer. “Someone is plotting against me,” I huffed. “It couldn’t be the cops,” I said, shaking my head. “My contacts would have warned me.”
Trouble is brewing, and the tranquility I had moments ago has vanished. Taking another deep breath while clenching my fists, I tried to calm down. This was no way to start the day. I knew my anger made me act quickly and irrationally.
Walking back to my desk, I flopped down in my chair. I studied the lawsuits. I had to know who was behind them. I could only find one name in all of the documents: Sophia Camden. Doing a quick search, I noticed she was the main woman at the firm where the lawsuits came from.
Sitting back, I cracked my knuckles. “You, dear Sophia, you have just poked a bear,” I said, staring at the information about her on the company website. I scribbled down the address of the firm before getting up.
I never rush into things unless my anger takes over. Most of the time, I am diligent. Planning properly and strategizing my course of action would have been more convenient. But not knowing how deep their advances are, left me with little time. I had to act sooner rather than later.
Grabbing the keys to my dark blue SUV, I rushed downstairs and out of the house. I decided to take the SUV as it was less conspicuous than my Porsche. Plus, it was fitted with a camera, a laptop, and other surveillance equipment.
Racing through town, I tried to formulate a plan. What actions would be needed to resolve this problem? My mind was still struggling as I pulled into the parking lot. I couldn’t enter the firm. They might know what I look like.
Checking the reserved parking spaces, I found one with her name. I had gone through the details on the website so hastily that I forgot to check for a photo. Now I had to trust my instincts. I watched and waited until a young woman came strolling by, heading to the Mini Cooper parked there. Could this really be her, I wondered as the young woman unlocked the car.
“Sophia!” Someone called out from behind my SUV.
I watched in awe as her head swung around, sending soft, reddish-brown locks cascading over her shoulder. Her brown eyes shone almost gold as the sunlight hit them. She raised a delicate hand to shield her eyes from the sun. Her smile broadened as a young man moved closer.
She was so young, how could she be the boss? Looking at her, I felt my heart rate quicken. Her beauty had stunned me for a moment. I just sat there as she got in and pulled out of the parking space.
“Get a grip,” I mumbled to myself as I drove swiftly to catch up. I followed her to a bookstore where she made a quick pick-up and then proceeded to go home. I parked across the street as she pulled into the driveway and stopped before the garage.
Her home seemed small but cozy. It had a rustic cottage vibe to it. The exterior was painted light grey and white. Iwatched as she got out and took the three small steps onto the porch. She glanced back as she opened the brown wooden door and then disappeared inside.
The top half of the door was glass. The front of the house had three life-size windows and a door. The small porch was filled with pot plants. I got out and started crossing the street. Halfway there, I stopped. “What the fuck are you doing!” I muttered under my breath. “I’m going to mess this up if I don’t plan it right. What should I say after knocking on the door?” I asked myself.
Turning around, I got back into my car. This whole thing had me riled up. I could feel my insides shaking. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and lifted my face to the roof. “You need to be smart and stay focused!” I whispered. “I could wait, follow her for a couple of days, and then decide what to do.”
Deciding to do that, I waited. It wasn’t long before I noticed movement inside. The door opened, and she came out with a watering can. She appeared to be speaking to herself or the plants as she watered them. Once done, she went back in and closed the curtains.
Lowering my seat a bit, I closed my eyes. I would find the perfect time to take her, I decided as sleep took me.
I woke suddenly to a burst of noise around me. For a moment, I had forgotten where I was. Wiping my eyes, I looked around. Her neighborhood was already bustling. Glancing at my watch, I saw it was half past six. I let out a heavy breath as I saw her car still in the driveway. I was relieved she hadn't left yet.
Grabbing the bottle of water from the passenger seat, I saw Sophia exiting her house. Just in time, I thought as I started my vehicle, ready to follow her. I took a big gulp from the bottle and checked it back on the seat beside me.
She stopped about halfway to work at a small coffee shop. I parked behind her car but didn’t go in. It looked like she got a coffee and a muffin before getting back in her car. From there, she drove straight to work. She pulled into her parking spot around seven-fifty.
She left yesterday around five thirty. So, I assumed her daily hours were from eight to five-thirty. Today and tomorrow would confirm this, though.
