"I love you too." I touch his face. "So don't get killed."
"Wasn't planning on it."
Semyon opens the door, checking the hallway. "Clear. Let's move."
We file out into the night. The air is cold, biting through my sweater. Two cars wait in the alley.
"You'll take that one," Semyon says, pointing to the second car. "Keys are in the ignition. Follow us but stay back. When we stop, you park a block away. Eyes on the building but far enough to run if needed."
Anya and I climb into the designated car. It smells like cigarettes which almost makes me puke.
Maksim appears at my window. I roll it down.
"Be careful," he says. "Please."
"You, too."
He leans in, kissing me one more time. Then he's gone, jogging back to the other car.
I follow, keeping a careful distance. The streets are empty at this hour—just past one in the morning.
We drive for twenty minutes, winding through industrial districts and rough neighborhoods. Finally, the lead car's brake lights flash.
I slow, watching as Maksim and Semyon park near a warehouse. I continue past, finding a side street a block away like instructed.
From here, I can see the building. Dim lights in a few windows. Two men standing guard outside.
"What now?" Anya whispers.
"Now we wait," I say, checking the gun in my lap. "And pray this doesn't go to hell."
Through the windshield, I watch Maksim and Semyon approach the warehouse. They move like shadows, weapons ready.
I send up a silent prayer that the father of my baby survives. And dammit, I actually hope he can save my own father.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Maksim
Semyon’s men are ready and waiting. He gives the signal, and the entire industrial district is plunged into darkness. For a brief moment, there's silence. Like the world is holding its breath.
I silently count. This plan isn’t great, but it’s all we have. I didn’t dare tell Anya and Kira, but their father is likely dead. But as soon as Anya walked in on us looking at the new picture, there wasn’t an option. Semyon and I had changed our plans. We weren’t going to attempt a rescue. We were going to move to the new location and lay low.
But then Anya freaked, and I knew we had to try.
Semyon taps my forearm letting me know it’s time.
All hell breaks loose.
Explosions light up the opposite side of the building. It’s the diversionary charges. Orange and red blooms against the night sky, loud enough to wake half of Moscow.
"Go!" I shout.
We move through the loading docks in tactical formation. Me and Semyon leading, with two additional men behind, weapons ready. The darkness is our friend now.
At least, that's the theory.
The reality proves different the moment we breach the door.
