I watch the traffic cameras like a hawk, tracking every vehicle that comes within three blocks.
Then I see them.
Three black SUVs approach from the south, moving fast but not recklessly. My blood goes cold.
“We have vehicles approaching,” I announce. “Three SUVs, southbound on Madison.”
The facial recognition software pings on the lead vehicle. Konstantin’s face appears in a small box on my screen, riding in the passenger seat of the first SUV. Then the second vehicle shows Alexei behind the wheel, blond hair visible even through the tinted windshield.
“Confirmed targets in vehicles one and two,” I say, my voice tight. “Count at least...fuck. Thirty bodies minimum.”
Viktor curses in Russian.
This isn’t a snatch and grab. This is a war party.
“All units, be advised, approximately thirty hostiles incoming. Heavy resistance expected. Vera, get to the back room NOW.”
I hear the rustle of fabric, her quick footsteps on linoleum, and a door opening and closing which indicates she moved as fast as she could.
“I’m in the exam room,” she says, and I can hear the fear in her voice now. “Dimitri, thirty is a lot. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I know.” I yank open the van door, Viktor and Roman right behind me. “Stay down and stay quiet. We’ve got you.”
“I trust you,” she says quietly.
Fuck, I love her. I love her so much it physically hurts and I’m about to put her in the middle of a war zone.
The SUVs screech to a stop outside the clinic in a formation that speaks of military training. Doors fly open before the vehicles fully stop, and men pour out wearing body armor and carryingautomatic weapons. My heart seizes. They’re not eventryingto be subtle.
I count heads through the camera feeds. There’s thirty-twomen and all are heavily armed.
Konstantin steps out of the lead vehicle last, looking calm and confident. His gray hair moves gently in the wind and he wears an expensive suit under a long coat, like he’s going to a business meeting instead of a kidnapping.
Then Alexei jumps out from the second vehicle, those cold blue eyes scanning the area. My baby brother who I protected and loved more than anyone else in the world.
He betrayed everything.
They think they’ve won. They think this is over.
They’re about to learn otherwise.
“All units,” I say into the radio, my voice deadly calm. “Engage on my mark. Remember—Konstantin and Alexei are to be taken alive. Everyone else is expendable.”
Acknowledgments come back from my men and Vincent’s men. We’re ready.
Konstantin’s forces breach the clinic entrance with flashbangs and shouting—intimidation tactics designed to overwhelm.
Instead, they get a kill zone.
"NOW!" I roar.
The world explodes into violence.
My men open fire from concealed positions inside the clinic. The element of surprise is devastating and three of Konstantin’s men go down in the first seconds, blood spraying across the pristine white floors.
The others dive for cover, returning fire, and suddenly the quiet medical complex sounds like a war zone. Glass shattering. People screaming orders in Russian and English. The rapid staccato of automatic weapons fire.
“All units, engage! ENGAGE!”
