Making the most of what we have is what’s going to give us the best chance at victory.
And we have to win. If we don’t…I’d rather die than be taken prisoner, and I know that many of my men share the same sentiment.
Being taken prisoner is just an extended death sentence, one drawn out through torture. They won’t allow a single one of us to live.
“I agree,” Matvei says. “The house is multi-leveled. There are plenty of places to hide to stage ambush attacks. Everyone knows the exits and hidden spaces of this estate. We could make it work.”
“We need to stock up on weapons. As many as we can find,” Pyotr adds.
He’s right. We do.
“Have someone fill the bunker with supplies as well,” I tell them andI can practically hear them all cringe.The underground area is secure for now, but down there we’d be trapped if breached with limited exits. “I know it’s not ideal, but worst-case scenario, it’s a safe place to retreat, to restock our ammo, and tend to injuries. I’ll have Yelena on standby. She already knows how to find the entrance along with the entry code.”
And I have another big call to make.
Things have become clearer to me as the threat creeps closer.
Even when I should be solely focusing on the war, Alina is on my mind.
The way I feel about her is something I can’t even put into words.
I want to keep her close, but I also have to protect her.
Thoughts of her consume me, clouding my focus when I need it the most. My men need me to take control, to win this war so that we can keep our territory. It’s time I finally acknowledge that I can’t do that with Alina around no matter how hard I’ve tried.
She’s a distraction—one that fractures my focus at the worst possible time.
The only way to fully dedicate myself to being the leader I need to be is to remove the distraction, even if it feels like ripping muscle from bone. And the further away she is, the better for me and her both.
“I need one more preparation to be made,” I tell them.
“Yes, sir?” Matvei replies, prompting nods of agreement from the others.
My throat threatens to tighten as the order rises within it, but my voice comes out calm and firm.
“Prepare transportation for Alina, Dominik, and his men right away. It’s too risky for them to try and take a highway out, so make sure the farmhouse on the edge of the estate is stocked.”
Every word that comes out of my mouth feels like a knife being pushed into my stomach a little bit deeper. Sending them away feels like amputating a limb. The pain that comes with that is…indescribable.
It’s as deep down as my soul. As widespread as the veins that run through my body.
The worst pain I’ve ever willingly chosen.
But my emotions don’t matter. Not in the face of war. And not when I have a responsibility to be the leader my men need me to be.
Removing the two people who take up the most space in my mind is the best move I can make to protect them and concentrate on the fight. And I need to execute it now before I change my mind.
My men are quiet for a few seconds before nodding. I know they want to question my decision to let Dominik and the others go, but they’re smart enough not to say a word.
“I’ll handle it,” Pyotr tells me.
Thinking fast, and wanting to change the topic, I add, “Clear the estate of any valuables and sensitive information. Computers. Laptops. Phones. Files. Safes.”
“I’ll get on that now,” Matvei offers. “Anything sentimental you’d like me to remove, sir?”
“No,” I tell him before continuing on. “Secure the breaker box and gas valve. Think of anything that they can use against us,” I say, my face remaining straight and sturdy despite the chaos in my head. Any misstep could cost us greatly. There’s no room for error any longer. No room for weakness.
“I’ll have someone do a sweep around the entire house and lock everything up,” Matvei replies.
