Page 90 of Savage Truce

I program Sokolov Junior’s address into the GPS so Teodor knows where to go, then glance at my phone.

Not seeing any updates regarding Andrei, I let out a heavy sigh, but needing to check in with Anastasia, I send her a quick text.

Rodian: Are you okay?

It doesn’t take long before she reads the message and responds.

Anastasia: Yes. Katya is here. Are you okay?

Rodian: I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

Anastasia: I’ll always worry. You’re the love of my life, and you’re hurting. I wish there was something I could do to help.

Rodian: You loving me is enough, moya krasavitsa.

While I have my phone out, I text the group chat.

Rodian: Gusev has been eliminated.

Rosie: Update on Sokolov Jnr. He’s still at the apartment building. Two men are standing guard out front. After digging, I found out Sokolov has a girlfriend there. Apartment 2B.

She attaches a photo of the guards and girlfriend, so we’re able to identify them.

Constantin: I’ve just taken out Moroz. Rodian, wait for me before you hit Sokolov.

Not replying, I show the photos of the guards to Petar and Teodor.

“The men might recognize you. Let us take care of them before you go into the apartment,” Petar says.

Agreeing, I nod, then another message comes through.

Constantin: You have no idea what you’re walking into in that building. Wait for me, or I swear to God, I’ll use one of your own guns on you.

A silent chuckle shakes my chest.

Rodian: So all it takes is pissing you off to get you in a talkative mood.

Constantin: Fuck you. I want confirmation that you’re waiting.

Atanas: Baranov is dead. I’m ten minutes away from the apartment. Whoever gets there first gets dibs on killing Sokolov.

“Faster!” I bark at Teodor.

Rodian: I will cut off your balls.

Atanas: Didn’t take you for the kinky kind.

Teodor pulls over up the street from the building, and as we get out, I tuck the phone into my pocket.

Petar and Teodor start talking shit in Bulgarian, keeping their demeanor casual as they walk toward the guards. I hang back, my head low.

Just as they pass the guards, Petar attacks, wrapping his arm around the nearest man’s neck and breaking it with a crack. Teodor whips out a knife, plunging it four times into the other fucker’s gut and chest.

As the men drop, cars come tearing down the street, and Atanas cuts off Constantin’s SUV, with a wide grin on his face.

When I first met Atanas, he came across as serious, but it’s been a pleasant surprise getting to know him.

The men get out, and Constantin grumbles, “The whole lot of you will take me to an early grave.”