“The Petrovs are active again. I’m coming to you.” I hang up before he can respond.
Twenty minutes later I’m at the Vance estate. Julian meets me in his study. Closes the door. “Talk.”
I explain everything. The surveillance. The questions about family. The fact that they’ve been mapping my life for at least two weeks.
Julian listens without interrupting. When I finish, his jaw is tight. “You think they’re planning to move on Aurelia and the boys.”
“I think they’re looking for vulnerabilities. The boys are the biggest vulnerability I have.”
“Then we increase security here. Quietly. Without alarming them.”
“Agreed. I don’t want Aurelia knowing about this yet. She’ll panic and the boys will sense it.”
“How do you want to handle it?”
“Your security handles the estate. Double the perimeter guards. Add cameras to the blind spots. Make sure no one gets on or off this property without being seen.”
“And outside the estate?”
“My people will add external surveillance. Eyes on the surrounding blocks. Anyone who looks wrong gets flagged immediately.”
Julian nods. “What about when they leave? School, activities?”
“Increase the escort detail. I want at least three vehicles any time they go anywhere. And I want our people mixed with yours so if something happens, we’re coordinated.”
“You think it’ll come to that?”
“I think the Petrovs have been quiet for six years and now they’re not. I think they’re watching me specifically to find weaknesses. And I think my sons are the biggest weakness I’ve ever had.”
“Alright. I’ll make the calls. Have my head of security coordinate with yours.”
“Tell him to contact Declan. They’ll work out the details.”
Julian walks to his desk and pours two drinks. Hands me one. “Six years they waited,” he says. “Why move now?”
“Maybe they needed time to rebuild after I dismantled their operation. Maybe they were waiting for me to give them an opening. Or maybe someone new took over and wants to make their mark.”
“You don’t know which?”
“Not yet. But I’m going to find out.”
We drink in silence.
Then Julian asks the question I’ve been avoiding. “If they move on the boys, what’s your play?”
“Eliminate every Petrov in the city. Every soldier, every captain, every family member who knew about the operation. Make sure the organization ceases to exist.”
“That’s war.”
“They started it six years ago when Dmitri tried to humiliate me on a public street. I finished him. If they want to restart it over that, I’ll finish all of them.”
Julian sets down his glass. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Hope isn’t a strategy.”
“No. But preparation is. We’ll get the security in place. Quietly. And if they make a move, we’ll be ready.”
I finish my drink and head for the door. Stop with my hand on the handle. “Julian, if something happens to those boys because the Petrovs are targeting me?—”
