I’ve got a plan.
Storming out of the workshop, I head straight to the security office at the entrance of our mansion. With Kat no longer a prisoner here, I don’t have the same number of guards. We’re on minimal security here. Fewer, but more highly trained men.
But there are enough of them to get a team together immediately to go look for her.
“Roger,” I shout as I walk towards the office.
He comes jogging towards me. “Sir, what is it?”
“Get every single one of the men on duty and leave at once. Kat has been taken by someone. From her studio. I want you and your men to go down there and search the place, find any footage you can from the surrounding stores. Maybe street cameras. Just find her. Okay?”
He nods vigorously. “Yes, sir. We’re on it. Do you want me to leave someone here at the gate?”
“Fuck the gate. This place means nothing without Katerina. Take everyone and find her.”
I run back towards the house to grab my car keys.
While they’re doing that, I’m going straight to the person I believe is responsible. I’ll cover all grounds, but Artur is about to get a very angry visitor at his door.
My body is burning with anxiety. I keep trying to push it away, so it doesn’t cloud my decisions, but it’s nearly impossible. The only thing that’s helping me not lose my mind is the idea that it was her own brother who took her, and he wouldn’t hurt her as far as I know.
Still, I don’t want her scared, alone, or in need of me. I promised to keep her safe, and I feel like I’ve failed her.I’m coming to find you, kitten. I won’t rest until I do.
Driving feels slower than usual. People are turning too slowly in front of me. Traffic lights are taking too long to change. Pedestrians are walking selfishly slow when they cross the roads. I’m going insane.
It takes me a lifetime to reach Artur’s office block across the border of my territory. I park right outside the front entrance, not giving a shit when the security guard comes out and threatens me.
“Tell Artur that Yulian Andreev is on the way up to see him,” I snarl, shoving past the guards.
The tall man immediately gets out his walkie-talkie, warning the guys upstairs.
When the elevator opens up on the top floor, there are several guns pointed at my head.
“Artur?” I shout, stepping out of the elevator. “Come and face me yourself, you coward.”
The guards stand steady, stiff as boards, locked into position.
From behind them, I hear Artur’s voice.
“Stand down, let him through, but don’t take your eyes off him.”
The guards step back, dropping their weapons to their sides, but keeping their fingers poised over the triggers. I glare at Artur, hatred burning in my eyes, spearing from me like daggers. “Where is she?” I snap.
“Where the fuck is who, asshole?” he snarls at me.
“You had no right to take Katerina against her will. She chose to be with me. She chose to stay. You can’t take away free will like that. She has a right to live the life she wants to live and not be stuck under your authoritarian rule!” My fists are clenched at my sides as I storm towards him.
One of the guards puts his arm out and stops me before I get too close.
But Artur is raging now, too. He closes the gap between us and shoves me hard, making me stagger backwards, spiking my anger tenfold.
“You’re the one who took my sister away from me. And who the fuck are you to tell me how to treat my own family? You know nothing about us. You fucking killed my uncle in cold blood. Do you think I’m going to listen to a fucking word you say?”
I bolt forward and slam into him. The guards aren’t interfering anymore. They can see this is between us, and Artur has made it clear he wants a fight. So, he’s going to get one.
I swing my fist, and it connects sharp and hard with his jaw. His head snaps back, and he yelps in surprise. But in a second, he’s recovered and swung at me.
He catches me on my temple as I try to turn my head away, but I’m not quite fast enough. Bells ring through my head. Adrenaline pumps through me like gasoline on an open flame.
