I watch through binoculars as Roman's men load trucks. Heavy crates. Weapons, probably. Preparing for something big.
"He's planning a sweep," I realize. "Going to flush us out by hitting everyone who might be harboring us."
"That's my assessment too." Semyon checks his phone—another update from his network. "We've got maybe a week before he's organized enough to execute. After that, every safe house in Moscow becomes a target."
"Then we can't keep hiding." The conclusion is obvious. "We have to go on offense. Hit him before he hits us."
"With what army?" Semyon's voice is practical. "We've got maybe thirty people willing to move against him. He's got three hundred. Better weapons. Better positions."
"But we've got something he doesn't." I lower the binoculars. "Legitimacy. Evidence of his crimes. And desperation."
"Desperation isn't an advantage."
"It is when the alternative is death." I meet his eyes. "We can't win a conventional war. So, we don't fight one. We do what he did to me—we play dirty. We expose him to the families. Turn his allies against him. Make him the target instead of us."
"That's a long shot."
"Got a better idea?"
Semyon doesn't. Because there isn't one. We're outgunned, outmanned, and running out of time.
Which means our only option is to be smarter. Faster. More ruthless than Roman expects.
"The heads of the families meet in five days," Semyon says after a moment. "Annual gathering. All the major families will be there."
"Perfect." The pieces start clicking together in my mind. "We crash the meeting. Present the evidence publicly. Force them to choose sides."
"That's insane. The security will be—"
"Tight. I know." I start the car. "Which is why we need the next few days to plan this perfectly. One shot. We either expose Roman and turn the families against him, or we die trying."
"Those are terrible odds."
"Better than hiding until he finds us." I pull out onto the street. "And better than spending the rest of our lives running.”
“We could still try and get out of the country,” he offers. “I’ve got a guy.”
“You and I both know that even if we manage to cross the border, we won’t survive long. I’m not thinking about us.”
“The girls,” he murmurs.
“Sorry, you’re my friend, but if it comes between you and Kira, I’m going to save her.”
He smirks. “Asshole.”
“Just being honest.”
I'm three blocks from the safe house when I notice the car.
Black sedan. Tinted windows. Two cars back, matching my speed perfectly. When I slow, it slows. When I turn, it turns.
"We've got company," I say quietly.
Semyon's hand moves to his weapon. "How many?"
"One car that I can see. Could be more." I take another turn, watching the mirror. The sedan follows. "They're not being subtle about it."
"Roman's men?"
