Page 78 of Captive

Maybe I’d simply grown older or had grown tired of the violence. While my training and the indoctrination my adopted father had insisted on had remained in the forefront of my mind, taking lives without hesitation no longer seemed easy.

While I’d always known what my brother was capable of, I hadn’t expected that he would betray his blood right or his father. Some of what Dimitri said nagged at my gut. Maybe I had been a fool leaving. If I’d stayed, perhaps vengeance could have been served. I’d made a choice to return and I would do what was necessary in order to regain the Federov honor. If I died in the process, it wouldn’t be in vain.

Although my heart remained cold and broken. Leaving Chloe had been the hardest thing I’d had to do my entire life. No amount of torture I’d endured, or the horrible days spent on the street as a boy could compare. Seeing the pain on her face had been enough to tear me apart.

Especially after I’d said the words that I’d promised myself wouldn’t be uttered.

I love you.

I’d known the moment I’d spouted them off that they would cause her additional pain. I’d been right.

Sadly, I had to push aside my joy of loving her. There could be no emotion, no regret or I’d make mistakes and that was something I refused to do.

If Michail had been a part of my father’s murder in any way, the motherfucker wasn’t going to get away with years of madness and betrayal.

As I sat drinking bitter coffee at the meeting spot, I watched the people on the street. They had no way of knowing that very soon a bloody war would occur on their streets, the two families finally clashing after decades of sparring. We should have destroyed the Petrovs years ago. Maxim had refused, perhaps a part of him thinking that two powerful entities could control opposite sides of the country. That alone had likely been his demise.

I noticed the figure approaching and slipped my hand inside my jacket. I’d managed to secure a black-market weapon as well as several rounds of ammunition, but that would only serve me for a short period of time. What I was doing would take my former army standing behind me.

If they would.

As Ivan entered the coffee shop, I noticed he scanned the facility. Always on duty. My call to him from another burner phone just prior to my departure from the States had been interesting. The information he’d provided confirming what I’d already known. He’d been forced to sequester during a raid headed by the Petrovs. At least he’d been able to provide additional details I considered vital in order to annihilate the enemy.

Michail’s odd behavior had been all about his treachery to the Federov organization. Then the man had disappeared the same day I’d killed Dimitri. That only added to the rage that remained inside of me.

Ivan noticed my location, approaching slowly. Then he grinned when I rose from the chair.

“Rodnoy brat,” he huffed in Russian as he embraced me, slapping his hand on my back. The man had aged significantly, but that was to be expected in the harsh environment. At least he’d managed to survive after all these years.

While I’d never considered him a brother as he’d just called me, his help years ago had proven to be invaluable. I owed him my life. “Ivan. I can’t say it’s good to be back.”

“Ah, English. You are truly an American now.”

I motioned toward the other seat, gazing out the window to ensure he hadn’t been followed. “I learned to enjoy the freedom.”

He followed my gaze, chuckling as he sat down, sliding a duffle bag under the table in my direction. “You haven’t lost your touch. Always cautious.”

“You know exactly why it’s necessary.”

Leaning over the table, he lowered his voice. “Yes, as I warned you, there are dozens of Petrov soldiers already in position.”

Exhaling, I continued to try to figure out a plan. “And Michail?”

“There has been no sign of him. There was also no sign of a struggle indicating he’d been taken.”

“Interesting. It would appear he’s working with the Petrovs.”

“How would you know?” There was a glimmer in his eyes as if he already knew the answer.

“Let’s just say I was tipped off by Dimitri Petrov.”

He chuckled, the gleam remaining in his eyes. “So Dimitri’s disappearance was your doing. As you might imagine, the rumors were fascinating to hear. You might just be considered a legend.”

It wasn’t a question but a knowing statement, although the sentiment wasn’t something I’d wanted to hear. “I did what was necessary, especially after he attempted to end my life.”

He studied me intently for several seconds. “The beard looks good on you. I can see a difference in you.”

“Perhaps, but the hunger hasn’t changed. Did you bring what I asked for?”