“What are our next steps?” I was growing impatient. Every single moment we stood waiting around was another moment Mila was alone with Sergei. The thought nearly killed me.
Yuri motioned with his head to pull me aside.
He took his time to speak.
“What?” I asked impatiently.
“I’ve had a talk with the Canadians, and you and I are standing down.”
I needed him to spell it out for me. “What exactly does that mean?”
“The sting is up. You’re no longer undercover. We’re going home now to do paperwork on our end for everyone they arrested over here.”
I spoke slowly, like I would to someone who didn’t understand the basics. “Sergei is still on the loose.”
“They’ll take care of him.”
I couldn’t believe how obtuse he was being. “He has Mila.”
“Who happens to be a Canadian citizen. We’re Russian, and we’re out. We no longer have immunity or jurisdiction here. Giselle was a Canadian agent, and she went rogue. It’s up to the Canadians to solve their own problems.”
“Mila is my wife. And she’s missing.”
“Be objective, Axel. The Canadians do not want you to be part of the chase.”
I stared at him while I contemplated all my life choices up to that moment. I had made a lot of stupid decisions, but I didn’t have to think about my next move. “I’m going to get my wife.”
“You’re not thinking rationally. You no longer have immunity, and you have no jurisdiction here.”
I stared at him, wondering if, after working closely for almost four years, we knew each other at all. “Do you think that matters to me?”
He stepped closer. “I need you to stand down because I can’t protect you if you don’t.”
I unholstered my weapon, took off the badge around my neck and shoved them both into his chest with force. “No.”
“What are you doing?” He looked down at my weapon.
I didn’t look back as I walked to my truck and got in beside Bandit.
Bandit looked at me, panting with stress. I reached over and patted his head. “It’s okay, Bandit. I’m going to go get her.”
Thirty minutes later,I pulled into the deserted parking lot of a restaurant that had closed years ago. Viktor was already parked and waiting.
I picked up Bandit’s leash and Mila’s prized trumpet and walked both over to the passenger side of Viktor’s truck. I opened the door, and Bandit politely looked up at my brother.
“Can you take care of Mila’s dog for me?”
He looked at Bandit. “Is he friendly?”
I lifted Bandit up on the seat and he gingerly sniffed the air. “Not really. He only likes Mila. He’s got a couple of broken ribs. We had a shit day. Mila was kidnapped.”
Viktor lifted his hand for Bandit and let him gently sniff him. “Who took her?”
“Someone by the name of Sergei. He used to work for Grisha.”
Concern crossed his expression. “We want to help.”
We were interrupted when my phone rang. It was Daniel.
