I stare down at the piece of paper in my hand.
A birthday schedule, Yulia’s name written in elegant script, the details of the celebration planned meticulously. I take a deep breath, trying to control the anger that’s boiling inside me, a rage so fierce it threatens to consume everything.
My jaw clenches, the fury within me churning like a storm. How the hell does a man fall so far? He’s a parasite, feeding off others’ pain, selling out his own flesh and blood for what? Another taste of power? Another sliver of territory?
That bastard’s greed has turned him into a monster, and I’m going to relish tearing him apart, piece by piece. He thinks he can play with lives, toy with family? He’s going to learn just how wrong he is, and I’ll enjoy every second of his suffering.
Breathing deep into my core, I feel the burning rage anchor me. “We need more firepower. More men,” I hiss through gritted teeth. I lock eyes with Dimitri, unyielding.
“Dimitri, reach out to the DeMarcos. We might butt heads over territory, but one thing’s for sure – Aleks is a thorn in their side, too. It’s time to call in some favors.”
“I’ll get on it.” Dimitri nods. “We’ve got to make everything look like business as usual, no hints of what’s coming. That Katerina bitch better stay in the dark, or she’ll find herself in a grave.”
“Who’s watching that bitch right now?” I snap, my voice ice-cold.
“No need to worry, Svetlana’s got eyes on the rat,” Dimitri sneers, his face twisted in contempt. He pulls out a cigarette and lights it. “He won’t back down. We burned his building, killed his men, but that bastard will keep coming.”
“But we’ll need a fucking plan to protect Yulia at all costs,” Erik says quietly.
Fuck!
Dimitri’s face twists as he considers the danger to my baby sister.
I glance at the itinerary again, pausing at the grand finale for the plans of the day. Something about the delivery catches my eye.
“Glitz and Blaze Pyrotechnics,” I read out the company name. We all look at each other, our eyes wide. It’s a name that echoes Aleks’s cunning, and in that moment, it’s clear to all of us. That’s how he’s planning to get in, masking himself as a delivery man and worker for the fireworks setup.
Dimitri’s jaw clenches as he bangs his hand against the wall. “The crafty bastard’s going to waltz right into our party.”
Erik’s eyes narrow, deep in thought. “We’ll be waiting for him. Let’s turn his trick against him.”
Dimitri paces, his eyes glinting with fury as he considers the options. “We’ll put our own guys with the circus crew. Blades, guns, anything we need, hidden in plain sight. He won’t even see it coming.”
“Don’t forget about Yulia,” Erik says.
I clench my fists, my voice a low growl. “I’d rather die than put Yulia at risk, but there’s no other way. She’s an Ivankov, and that bastard Aleks won’t resist the bait.”
“We’ll guard her like a pack of wolves. If that mad dog Aleks thinks he can touch her, he’ll find our teeth tearing his throat out,” Erik vows, his words a savage promise.
Dimitri looks at me, his eyes intense. “We love Yulia more than life itself. But to kill that devil, we need to use her.”
Erik’s fist clenches at the reminder of what’s at stake. “I’ll get the men ready.” He stands abruptly, his movement decisive. “Aleks won’t know what hit him.”
“Don’t go soft on me,bratan,” I warn, my eyes on Erik.
Erik laughs, a harsh, bitter sound. “No chance in hell.” And with that, he leaves the room.
Dimitri doesn’t leave. I know what he’s going to ask me next.
“What’s happening to Nilo, that fucking crackhead?” Dimitri asks, his tone cutting. “He’s lucky he’s not dead.”
I lean back, my eyes cold as I consider his fate. “Rehab. A private center. He’ll clean up, or he won’t be breathing much longer.”
“And Wren?” The change in Dimitri’s voice is hard to miss, almost dripping with something more. A softness? Concern? The way he lingers on her name gives away more than he probably intends.
“She’s bunkering down until everything’s settled,” I say, fixing him with a piercing look.
“Good.” He’s quick with that reply, too damn quick. Trying to mask something, but it’s like a neon sign in a dark alley, glaring and obvious. Seems he’s caught a little “feeling bug,” the damned fool.
