Page 73 of The Specialist

He shook his head. “People.”

He showed me his computer. “Yuri Romanoff. Ivan’s right hand for years. He was known as the dealer of death. His son Vlad, who followed in his father’s footsteps. Sasha, Yuri’s wife. Rumor is she loved bloodshed more than Yuri did. They turned on Ivan. They have all the goods on him. Turns out Vlad was excellent at keeping records. They carry the evidence with them, refusing to part with it.”

“Family that kills together, stays together.”

Damien smirked at my quip.

“Why the parting?”

“Money. Power. Who knows.”

“How did they get away?”

“The plane they were in crashed. No survivors.”

“I assume they were not on that plane?”

“Nope. They were spirited away. Ended up all over the place. Finally here. Ivan was about to be arrested when he disappeared and got himself a new face. They’re under heavy guard. The evidence is on paper and in their heads. Destroy the paper and kill them, the case against Ivan is weaker. He’ll disappear, and they won’t find him.”

I sat back. “Why not just take on a new persona, then?”

“Ivan and Yuri were like brothers. Yuri stole millions from him and disrespected him. Sold him out. Ivan is big on revenge. He wants him dead. Wants his whole family dead in retribution.”

“He’s putting his ego ahead of his freedom.”

“Madmen often do.”

We were both quiet. “Ivan’s not wrong—Yuri and his family, they have to die too.”

“Yes. But that’s not our mandate. Taking out Ivan is. Getting Sofia back. We concentrate on that.”

My phone buzzed, and I swiped it up as soon as Damien nodded. “Ivan.”

A video began, and he glared into the camera. “I hope you are ready to begin.”

“Why don’t you just kill Yuri yourself?” I asked.

He shook his head, an evil smile on his face. “How busy you have been, Egan. I cannot get into the building. But the deadly ghost can. You can deliver the justice that the dealer of death deserves. Blowing him up like the plane he pretended to die in. Him and his whole lying, scheming family.”

“How poetic for you,” I snarled. “Coward. Not man enough to kill people yourself, so you have others do it.”

“Tsk, tsk,” he reprimanded me. Then he stepped out of the way, and my heart went into my mouth. “Your materials will be delivered shortly. The shipment, however, is missing a few items. They were needed here.”

Sofia was still sitting, but she was no longer bound. Her legs were drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped around them. Around the room were a series of trip wires. In front of her on the floor sat a large box, no doubt containing more explosives. More wires ran from the top and bottom. Sofia was pale, her eyes watering. I could see the tremors, feel her terror. Once again, the images of my dream came back to me. Her in a room. Me unable to get to her.

I refused to let that dream come true.

“In case you have some idea of double-crossing me,” Ivan said, the camera returning to him. “She will suffer. Alex doesn’t have the expertise to blow up the building, so he is practicing on your girlfriend.” He paused, his smile growing wider. “I hope he doesn’t—how you say in this country—screw it up. Injure her so she suffers.”

“You motherfucker!” I shouted.

The camera returned to Sofia. I struggled to get myself under control.

“It will be fine, my Sofia. I will do what they ask.” I touched my ear, tapping it in what looked like a nervous gesture, but one I hoped she picked up on. “You will return to me safely.”

She looked so terrified, I had to swallow. “I love you.”

She buried her head in her arms, not responding. The feed went dead. I sat, unbelievable pain welling in my chest. Petrified for the woman I loved. Knowing what was at stake. For the first time ever, my failure could cost me everything.