by Red Phoenix
Rytsar’s gaze drifted down to the wallet again. “What about your wife and children? You made them suffer for this?”
“My woman has always been in support of my reconciliation with you. In fact, she was the one who suggested it.” Andrev held out the wallet farther. “Please, take it.”
Rytsar finally reached out and took the worn leather billfold. He had been serious that the money was unimportant to him; however, he opened the wallet and took out the cash for Andrev’s sake.
“Count it,” Andrev said.
Rytsar looked at him for a moment before slowly counting out the bills. He could imagine the years of sacrifice his family must have gone through to save up this amount. He held the bills in his hand, shaking his head. “Why now?”
“It has weighed heavily on my soul, brother. I knew the only way to lift it was to return what I took from you, even though I cannot undo the circumstances that surrounded it.” His voice shook when he continued, “That moment when I was informed you had been captured by the Koslovs and possibly dead, I couldn’t fathom it. The idea that you would never know how sorry I am.”
Rytsar swallowed down the lump in his throat. “What caused your change of heart? You were very adamant about your hatred toward me.”
Andrev looked down at his hands, wringing them together nervously. “I have always admired…and hated you.”
“Why?” Rytsar demanded.
“You were the only one of us to ever stand up to Father. All of us were terrified of him and we witnessed what he was capable of whenever he punished you.”
“I survived.”
“You did, but I always suspected you resented us for it. Those punishments were meant for us, not you. How could you not hate us for it?”
“I took those punishments because Father forced me to. It had nothing to do with you.” He narrowed one eye, adding, “However, I would have hoped you’d have held back on misbehaving so much.”
“We did. We all tried, at least,” Andrev insisted. “We lived in dread of being caught and having to watch you get dragged to the pole.”
Rytsar shrugged. “It did not feel that way to me. However, I always saw it as my fight against Father, not with you four. It was his doing.”
Andrev looked ashamed. “As I said, I assumed you already hated us. While I could understand Mama doting on you because of his unfair treatment, I could not grasp why both Grandfather and Father favored you so. It was as if the rest of us didn’t matter to them. We felt worthless.”
Rytsar thought about Andrev’s words before speaking. “What Father saw in me was my thirst for sadism, something I shared with him that you four did not.”
“But how could he go from beating you unconscious to showing you off to his old cronies like you were his firstborn son, his protégé?”
“I cannot explain the innerworkings of that bastard.”
“Okay, here’s an even bigger question I have been wondering. Why did you allow it?”
“Allow him to teach me everything he knew about sadism?” Rytsar smiled. “Because I craved it, so I used all his knowledge, all his influence and resources to take away as much as I could for my own benefit. It was never about him—it was always about me.”
Andrev took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I am beginning to understand how very little I knew you.”
“No, you did not know me. None of you even tried to know me. I was just your whipping boy. But…” he paused, before adding, “Having years to think back on it, I do not believe Father would have allowed it even if you had tried. Keeping us separated was part of his plan. If we had ever come together as one, the Durov brothers would have been a forcefor him to reckon with.”
Andrev smiled to himself, as if he were imagining such a thing. But soon his smile faded and he looked at Rytsar accusingly. “There is something else.”
Rytsar said nothing, waiting for the next shoe to fall.
“Why did Grandfather choose you over our father, even over Vlad, the oldest of us siblings, to be the next in line for his inheritance?”
“How do you expect me to answer that?” Rytsar scoffed. “Grandfather didn’t even tell me about the inheritance. That decision ended up putting me in great peril when Father decided he would take it from me.”
Without permission, tears began to well up in Rytsar’s eyes as images of Tatianna and his mother came to his mind.
“But how could Father know and you not?” Andrev insisted.
“Based on what Nikolay Koslov told me, very few people understood the significance of Grandfather’s ring. Father was one of them.”
Andrev glanced at the ring on Rytsar’s finger, and a glint of jealousy shone in his eye.
“There was a time when I would have gladly given you this ring and everything that goes with it had you but asked. However, that is no longer true,” Rytsar informed him. “I have suffered too many deaths because of it, and it is now my burden to bear—this massive collection of rubles.”
“I wish I could have such a burden,” Andrev mumbled.
“Nyet!” Rytsar snarled. “You would not want the curse of this wealth. Much like the whipping pole, I was chosen to suffer so that you four could live out normal lives.” He glared at Andrev. “I have made it my mission to use this money to change lives rather than destroy them.”
“You know your own kin could use some of that money.”
“What? You?” Rytsar growled, certain this was what Andrev had been getting at the entire time. He threw the money Andrev had given him and watched it fan out before it cascaded to the ground at his brother’s feet.
“Not me,” Andrev stated, looking hurt as he stared at the money on the floor. “Tamir’s going blind and needs an operation to save his vision. Pavel has twins on the way, but they only have room and supplies for one.”
“I did not know Tamir is going blind. And twins…Pavel is having twins?” Rytsar asked, now understanding how deep the rift was that separated them.
“We had no right to come to you with our concerns when we did not even let you come to Mama’s funeral.”
Pain flashed through Rytsar’s eyes. All those old feelings and old resentments came flooding back again, and Rytsar had to fight hard now to keep them from overwhelming him. “That day, when you defended Father, and told me that you wanted that murderer to stand by Mamulya’s grave instead of me. That was unforgiveable, Andrev.”
“We had no idea at the time!”
“I told you.”
“I’ve explained our way of thinking back then. We saw you as an enemy to the family, not its protector.”
“I do not know if there is any chance of reconciliation,” Rytsar stated coldly.
Andrev knelt down and began collecting the money until he had every single bill back in his hands. He stood up and thrust the money out to him. “Brother, I know I was wrong. I have worked hard for years to prove to you how truly sorry I am. All of us—Vlad, Tamir, Pavel, and I—came together as one to rescue you because we understand now.”
Rytsar laughed sarcastically. “You only did because my brother, my real brother, told you to.”
“Nyet,” Andrev insisted. “Vlad was against negotiating for a ransom when the Koslovs first presented him with their offer, yes. But there were several reasons behind that, and while it’s true that your American friend—”
Rytsar quickly corrected him. “My brother.”
Andrev shrugged but amended himself, “Your American brother.”
Rytsar gave him a look of satisfaction, stating, “Continue.”
“Your American brother reminded Vlad about the role you were forced to play as our family’s unwilling but effective protector. However, he didn’t stop there. Davis also informed us about what you’ve done since Mama’s death. I am honored and proud we carry the same blood.”
Rytsar shook his head.
Andrev continued, “So with some pressuring from me, Vlad finally agreed to the ransom and Davis’s plan to get you out safel
y.”
“And why were you included in the rescue?” Rytsar asked, knowing Thane would never have suggested it.
“If you remember, Vlad is a stubborn and distrustful soul, Therefore, he insisted I accompany the Americans sent to liberate you.” There were actually tears in Andrev’s eyes when he confessed, “It was frightening to know how close it was—our failure to save you.”
“It’s true, I almost died.”
More than once…
Andrev nodded with a look of uneasiness.
“So, what happens next is up to me,” Rytsar stated.
“More or less,” he replied, staring at the money in Rytsar’s hand.
“You have given me this ‘offering’ as an apology.”
Andrev licked his lips. “I have, brother.”
“And the four of you hope for reconciliation.”
He shook his head. “Nyet, we don’t expect that.”
“But you would wish it?”
He looked at Rytsar hopefully.
Rytsar shook his head, unhappy that he must once again forgive the unforgiveable. Still…Wallace had been correct in saying that there were some things in the past that could hold a person hostage. This history between his brothers was one of those things.
“Andrev,” he began formally, “I accept your offering and your help in avenging our mother. In exchange, I will forgive your betrayal.”
Andrev began to cry silently in relief.
“I also forgive my brothers for…” His voice broke, the pain of his mother’s death and his brothers’ unified rejection of him still having the power to overwhelm. “You are all forgiven for keeping me from seeing Mamulya laid to rest.”
Andrev flinched, the words spoken aloud highlighting the harsh reality they made him bear alone.
With his head hanging down Andrev said quietly, “Thank you, brother.”
Rytsar crossed his arms as he looked at him. Although the pain had not lessened, his anger over it was beginning to lose its tight hold.
That was the power behind forgiveness. A profound power only the wielder could release.
Payback
Vlad made a few well-placed comments around those he knew to be informants of the Koslov brothers about the execution of his worthless brother, showing off Rytsar’s ring as evidence. His proud claims that he was now in charge of the Durov fortune quickly reached the Koslovs, and they sent him a message of congratulations.
With the Koslovs confident their foe had been vanquished, the heightened security force, including those they had employed in the remote compound to the north, was scaled back.
It made it that much easier when Rytsar and his team came in to claim it.
With Captain’s expertise, and Rytsar’s personal knowledge of the compound, it had not been difficult to secure the isolated area and take control without anyone being the wiser.
Now, they had the privacy they needed to set up the trap that would ensnare the brothers and those closest to them. With the top echelon dead, the entire Koslov Empire would be thrown into chaos. With so many groups within the bratva vying for power, the leaderless Koslov organization would be ripped to shreds as the various factions snatched up what they could—effectively ending the reign of the once proud empire.
Rytsar’s heart beat faster whenever he thought of it. Knowing that the Koslov family was now involved in human trafficking only made their impending demise that much more satisfying to him.
Being a man of humor and dark passions, Rytsar had already planned how each of the brothers would die. Both deserved deaths specially handcrafted for the individual. Although Rytsar would not be there when it all went down, he’d made certain both brothers were made aware of who had brought about their ultimate ruin.
He was finishing the final details at Titov’s place, assigning each person their tasks.
“Samantha, you will be assisting Captain in constructing the devices while Titov and Andrev will be charged with procuring whatever supplies are needed.”
He faced the two men, adding, “I am counting on you being discreet in your purchases.
“As for me, I will assist wherever I am needed until this mission is complete. Time is of the essence, so rest will be a rare commodity until we are done here.”
“Understood,” Titov immediately replied.
Captain slapped Rytsar soundly on the back. “It’s good we are fighting on the same side. You would have made a dangerous adversary, had we met on the battlefield.”
Rytsar inclined his head toward the man. “I feel the same, Captain. I have only the highest respect for your knowledge and ingenuity. I truly believe we will accomplish what we’ve set out to do without endangering ourselves.”
Captain snorted. “If these men did not deserve what was coming, I would actually feel sorry for them—but I would still laugh.”
Rytsar smiled wickedly. “I find humor is often overlooked in death. It’s a shame.”
“But why go to such lengths?” Samantha asked him.
A cold smile spread across Rytsar’s face. “I believe in destiny and justice. I want to rob these men of their dignity in death. They need to pay for the death of my mother, and for the torture of Wallace.”
Rytsar glanced at Captain and grinned. “I am fortunate to have a man with a mechanical background and a mind for chess. He has already planned out how to separate the brothers from the rest of their men, so they can experience the grand finale.” He swept his hands wide and laughed. “It will be a purely automated assassination.”
Samantha looked at Captain skeptically, shaking her head.
“You have always been a man of extravagance,” Andrev stated. “It appears to be the case even when planning a death of an enemy.”
“This seems like madness,” Samantha told Captain.
“No, Durov is quite frankly…a genius.” He looked at Rytsar with respect. “It is rare that you can deliver the kind of death a man deserves.”
“And at such a low risk,” Rytsar replied with a smirk. “We’ll be on our way to America, watching it unfold on a closed-circuit screen. No witnesses and no evidence to tie us to their deaths.”
“How can you be sure?” Samantha asked.
Rytsar’s grin grew even wider. “Because the grand finale will end with a giant explosion obliterating the entire place.”
Captain explained matter-of-factly, “A military-grade drone will fly over the site, dropping an explosive powerful enough to leave only a crater when the debris clears.”
“And you think you can find one of those?”
Titov gave Samantha a modest smile. “I have my connections.”
It had taken weeks to construct the traps. Each person proved invaluable as they worked efficiently and without complaint, testing and retesting to make certain every element performed flawlessly.
Once Captain was satisfied, they moved on to phase two.
Information was covertly leaked through bratva channels that one of the factions was secretly plotting to overthrow the Koslov Empire. The brilliance was that two different factions were being named through two different channels, causing chaos within the entire criminal organization because neither faction knew who was pointing the finger at them.
Feeling the pressure from all sides, it was only natural the Koslov brothers would escape with their top men to hide in their Siberian compound until the dust settled and targets could be assigned.
With the end in sight, Rytsar announced to his team that this would be their last night together before the group disbanded. While he would head back to America with Captain and Samantha, Andrev would return to his family and Titov would stay in Russia to begin a new life of his own.
“It has been an honor to work with you all,” Rytsar told them as they sat around the large round table—the very same table the Koslov officials would gather around just before they died.
“Never before has such a thing been attempted—and by so few men…” He glanced at Samantha, adding, “…and wom
en. We will be making history even though our names will never be associated with it.”
“Here’s to anonymity,” Captain toasted, holding up a glass of water, since vodka had not been part of their rations—per his orders.
“How does it feel, Rytsar, knowing you will be free from looking over your shoulder for retaliation after this?” Samantha asked.
He sighed, lost in thought for a moment. “The Koslov brothers almost accomplished what they set out to do but, thanks to all of you, I sit here today and am about to avenge my mother’s death. It will allow me to bring closure to a difficult chapter in my life.”
Rytsar furrowed his brow, thinking back on his mother and her last moments. Justice would finally be his, and the obligation to right that wrong would be over.
It didn’t seem real—none of this did.
“I never thought I would be free of so many burdens,” Rytsar stated, looking at Samantha first and then at Andrev. “So, with this being our last night together, I brought a gift for you all.”
“Not alcohol, I hope,” Captain said.
Rytsar laughed. “I respected your wishes, Captain.”
He handed each person a small box, explaining, “I am a sentimental Russian.” As they opened the gifts, he explained, “Each of you has a watch with an inscription on the back to remember this moment.”
Titov read the inscription out loud in Russian the way it had been written.
Samantha translated it, her voice low, “The hour of reckoning is here…”
“Thank you,” Captain told him, putting the fine timepiece on his wrist.
Titov looked at the watch and then at Rytsar, saying nothing verbally, but speaking volumes with his gaze.
Rytsar nodded to him. “Your allegiance to me is at an end after tonight, my friend.”
Andrev stood up and put his hand on Rytsar’s shoulder. “Thank you, brother.”
“Go back to your family with my blessing and give your woman a kiss from me.”