It was interesting that my memory was spot on.
But it would seem the guards weren’t so lucky.
The first explosion nearly toppled us to the ground.
The second brought screams.
And by the third, we’d breached the outer perimeter, now racing toward the awaiting military-style trucks.
Another explosion rocketed us forward and onto the ground. I realized instantly it wasn’t a landmine, but an explosive’s charge meant to level a building. With my ears still ringing, I glanced over my shoulder. That’s exactly what had occurred.
“How many explosives did you fucking use?” I asked while scrambling to my feet.
“The recommended number as stated by the drone company.” Kirill was happy with his success, pushing me toward the truck. “Plus, I didn’t want to make it seem as if you were the intended target. The last one breached two buildings freeing a few hundred prisoners. They have a riot on their hands and won’t miss you at all.”
A real laugh erupted from my throat, the first in a long time. “Remind me to give you a raise.”
“Whatever you say, my Pakhan.”
We both jumped as the driver had already taken off. Before I slammed the door, I gathered one last look at what had been my home for over three fucking years. And I threw the burning facility the bird.
I was going home.
* * *
There was something crippling for a man’s ego when he didn’t recognize the members of his own staff. How many things had changed since I’d been gone?
“I thought you were dead. I really did.” Kirill exhaled, blowing out a huge swath of hot air.
“They wanted me alive. What about my brother? What happened after the ambush?”
“Mikhail lost a lot of blood, refusing to leave. I had to take him to a Sicilian hospital. He needed surgery. By that point, Stash was in charge while Mikhail was under the knife, sending a few more soldiers to Italy to look for you.”
“You had a discussion with Pollizi?”
He laughed. “I put the barrel of my weapon under his chin and told him in no uncertain terms if he had anything to do with your disappearance or murder, he would beg to die.”
“And?”
“He helped form a search party. The dead men were found, blood everywhere, but after that, the trail had gone cold. And don’t think I trusted the bastard. Not a fucking chance. I hired some locals, talked to others. There was no sign of you. When Mikhail’s condition was stable, we returned to Moscow.”
Nodding, I knew there wasn’t a chance of putting the pieces together yet. Not without having a long discussion with Demarco. “What else?”
“We continued looking, even picking a fight with the Petrovs, who were more than eager to move into our territory. It was ugly for a while, but they finally backed off.”
The Petrovs. A Neanderthal Bratva that had much to gain.
Still seething, I rubbed my fingers through my beard, furious so much time had been lost.
“You don’t look half bad for a dead man,” he said. “But don’t worry. I brought toiletries and some new clothes. You stink.”
At least I could laugh even though I was eager to exact revenge. “Where are we headed?” I knew him well enough to realize we weren’t going straight to Moscow. There was something to be said for being a dead man.
“Kolomna. My guess is you’d prefer to be debriefed. What the hell happened after you came to?”
“Let’s just say I was kept in Sicily. Does the name Demarco Marichetti ring a bell?”
“A retired enforcer. For Giovanni.”
