The good thing is, the element of surprise is on our side. Ronan doesn’t know that we were able to track our mole, which means we can barge in when they’re least expecting it.
The distribution center. I see it up ahead, situated in the next parking lot over from this one. The place looks run down, almost eerie in this light. A shiver runs up my spine, nerves firing through my body. It’s close to sundown, the last few rays of light fading in the sky. The roof of the building catches the light, but not for long. A dark cloud shortly passes, stealing most of the daylight.
Slipping a hand into my jacket, I check if my gun is fully loaded.
Timur does the same, then looks at me, waiting for my signal.
I nod.
And then we’re moving, marching towards the looming building.
A new kind of fear grips my throat, tightening itself around me like a harness. But it’s not fear for my own life. It’s a fear I’ve never experienced before. A fear for the woman who is carrying my child. A sometimes insufferable, feisty woman who managed to get under my skin and make me feel… love?
Head in the game, pridurok!
Adrenaline is already starting to pump through my body, my legs tensing as they fill with energy. I never wanted this. I never fucking wanted to care so much about a person. I always knew that the moment you develop feelings, you develop a weakness as a consequence. What I never thought was that my goddamn heart was capable of developing something so intense.
She’s different. I’ve known it from the moment I met her at Timur and Sophia’s wedding. And I let myself get carried away with her, not expecting that she’ll change my life forever.
I thought I was immune to a woman’s appeal.
She’s proven me wrong.
And now, I’m diving in headfirst into a war that I might not survive.
And yet, I’m doing it without a hint of doubt.
Giving up my own life makes perfect sense if it means I get to save hers and our child’s.
We’re a stone’s throw away from the building, now. Timur rolls up his sleeves, his trademark move before battle, the top few buttons of his white shirt undone. I crack my knuckles, stretching them out. Then, I take out my gun. Timur does the same, and we share a look.
I signal him with another nod.
In a moment, our walks turn into sprints as we crash through the doors like battering rams, getting ready to slaughter everything and everyone in our wake. Ronan’s men act fast, running to their positions to spray bullets in our direction. Gunshots start to echo, one after the other, like fireworks. Blood spray follows, misting into the air as I take out three thugs. My bullets tear right into their eyes before they can even register what is going on.
The rage of battle surges through me, my second nature taking over. I don’t have control over myself in moments like this—it’s always instinct. I weave through the shadows, gun at the ready like this is what I was born to do.
A bullet sails my way. I duck just in time, my gun pressed to my chest as I roll to the ground, taking cover. Times like this don’t normally make me so fucking out of breath, but today I can’t regulate my breathing. I’m only fighting to stay alive so that I can save Lauren.
“Niko!” Timur hisses, snapping his head around to get my attention. He’s covering for me, turning around as he takes out two of Aslanov’s men. We just got through the first line of defense, but I’m certain there’ll be more as we get deeper into the building.
Themudakhas a fucking army under his command.
“Find her!” Timur yells, rising to his feet. “I’ll ward them off.” He shoots me a cautious glance.
“Postaraysya ne umeret', mudak!” I roar. “Try not to die!”
“Too pretty to die today, boss. Go get her!”
I spring forward, my legs carrying me further into the crumbling building. I cover more distance in the warehouse, sprinting into darkness as Timur continues to spray bullets, putting his skills to use. Leaving him alone makes me feel uneasy, but he’s my right-hand man for a reason—if anybody knows how to take care of themselves, it’s him.
I leap over a pallet, finding many of them piled to the side, some of the stacks reaching the roof. A rusting conveyor belt is situated a short distance away to my left. Behind that, there are more pallet racks, except these come out into the room, dividing the warehouse up. I hold my breath, my gun at the ready as I start weaving between the different aisles. I listen in, concentrating on any sounds, but silence is the only thing I hear apart from the distant rattle of gunshots.
My stomach turns.
What if she’s not here?
What if this is just a waste of precious time?
