by Bella King
Slav shakes his head. “No action has been taken by authorities yet. The place was cleared out last night by chemical weapons.”
I squint across the room at him. “Chemical weapons?” I ask.
Alek nods. He doesn’t know about Phenolide-11, but I do, and that’s exactly what this sounds like. Tossing around banned military weapons in a civilian space is cruel, even for the Fedorov. They must be out of their minds. It’s a bold move, even for the most influential gangs.
“I’m going to need you to pull any men we have in their territory out immediately. I don’t want a single one of our men to be there when the military sends their men to investigate,” I say, shaking my head. “They’ve crossed too many lines recently.”
“Affirmative,” Alek says. “Anything else?”
“Yes,” I say, remembering Elaine.
She would’ve had a flight out through that airport. It’s right next to her hotel, and I recall her telling me that she was leaving in a few days. I doubt she’s going anywhere now unless she books another flight. It might be time to check in on her.
“Bring me Elaine Everly. She’s an American tourist residing at the hotel you rescued me from,” I say, pushing my plate of food away. I’ve lost my appetite over the news.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to get involved with any more women,” Alek says in an attempt to remind me of the angry promises I made on the night I almost got killed.
“She’s the same woman, so it doesn’t count,” I reply with a frown. “It’s my good deed for the day. She’ll be stuck in Fedorov territory with no flights out. I don’t think she’s going to be safe if they’re attracting that sort of attention to the area. Besides, whoever tried to kill me, whether it was a smaller gang or the Fedorov, may have seen us together already. She’s tainted.”
“Very well,” Alek replies. “And the warehouse hit on Sunday?”
“Business as usual,” I say, standing up. “Let’s see if those bastards like a taste of their own medicine.”
“I like the way you think,” Alek replies. “Should I take the chopper there?”
“No,” I reply. “We go by car this time. I don’t want to risk damaging the helicopter. We’ll need that in case we need to pay the Fedorov headquarters a visit.”
Alek’s blue eyes widen. “You’re planning something big, aren’t you?”
I shrug. “I’ll know when we figure out what the hell they’re doing with an entire airport. Until then, find Elaine, and bring her to me.”
“Right away, sir,” Alek says, giving me a quick salute and leaving the break room.
I let out a sigh. I’m not one to be spooked by enemy forces, but if the Fedorov has cleared out an entire airport for their operations, things are about to get wild. I wasn’t expecting a move like that. Whoever their new leadership is, he’s got balls. I’ll give him that much.
Chapter Nine
Elaine
“Elaine!” a voice calls out to me, echoing through the vast space in the empty airport waiting lounge.
I step away from the odd canister on the floor and look up.
A man in a leather pilot’s jacket with a rifle slung over his chest walks toward me with a brisk stride. He looks friendly, almost like an old friend coming to great me, but I have no idea who he is. He doesn’t look like one of the men who were chasing me.
“Who are you?” I call out to him, preparing myself for another wild chase.
“A friend of Nikolai. He sent for you,” the man says, slowing down as he gets closer.
Nikolai? How did he know I was here, and what does he want with me? I’m not prepared to see that man again. Not after all that has happened. For me, it’s best to return to the United States and keep my lips sealed about this whole train of incidents.
“Are you with those guys that came after me? They’re probably still outside the airport,” I say, taking a step back.
“There are people outside?” the man asks, a frown sweeping across his cheerful face.
“Yes,” I say suspiciously, unsure if he’s playing dumb or he really doesn’t know about the thugs who chased me in here.
“Then we probably need to get out of here ASAP,” he replies, coming to a stop a yard from me. “Come with me, and you’ll be safe.”
“I don’t know who you are,” I reply, standing my ground.
“Alek, a friend of Nikolai. You slept with him, I was told.”
I laugh. “Jesus, I guess he doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut. He told me he was part of the mafia, but that was after the fact.”
“Indeed. Technically, he’s my boss, but I’d also consider him a friend,” Alek says.
“I’m not sure whether I can trust the mafia,” I say, crossing my arms, but relaxing my legs a bit.
“Depends on the mafia, really. Our mafia, the Volkov bratva, we’re alright. The Fedorov, well,” he says, wrinkling his long nose, “They’re not alright. In fact, if someone was coming after you just now, then it was probably them.”
“I see,” I reply. I guess his story makes sense, and I’ve never had any genuine problems with Nikolai.
“Yes, and now Nikolai wants to see you, so I would advise coming with me before the Fedorov finds us and pump our bodies full of lead. I’m wearing body armor, but you aren’t,” Alek says, tapping his chest with his finger. “I’m not the one in danger of becoming swiss cheese.”
“And what if I don’t go?” I ask, challenging him.
“Then you’re probably going to die,” he replies casually.
I roll my eyes. “Okay, fine. Get me the hell out of here, but after that,” I say, taking a step toward him, “I want to go back home.”
“You can discuss that with Nikolai. For now, I want you to follow me closely. If there are enemies nearby, then we might see some trouble before we get out of here,” Alek says.
“Okay,” I reply, unsure as to whether I really have any choice at all. This situation is heavy, and I’m sorely unprepared for it. All I have is a thick coat, a small purse full of rubles, and a phone that doesn’t work.
“What’s this?” Alek asks, walking past me and lifting the gray-green canister from the ground.
“I don’t know. It says something on it, though.”
“Phenolide-11. Interesting,” Alek says, rolling the canister over in his large palm. “Well, they cleared this place out last night. This could be some leftover junk from the raid. I’m just surprised nobody is here now.”
“It’s eerie,” I say in a soft murmur.
“Indeed,” Alek replies. “Let’s go.” He tosses the empty canister over his shoulder and slings his rifle from over her chest, holding it upward as he marches toward the boarding exit.
“Do you have a car parked on the runway?” I ask, hurrying up behind him as he walks.
“No,” he replies, pushing the door open. “I have something better.”
The air bites the flushed skin on my face the second it hits me, but I feel it less this time. Maybe I’m getting used to the harshness of Russian winters, or maybe it’s because my body is warmer from having run across the security line of an airport in under a minute. Either way, I’m not upset to be outside again, especially when I’m going to see Nikolai.
Instead of the usual tunnel that leads to the plane, there’s a small stepladder to bring us down from the door to the runway pavement. I quickly scan the area for the thugs that chased me earlier, but they’re nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, Alek has already skipped down the stepladder and is headed to the left side of the runway where a helicopter is sitting. I guess he followed my taxi there with it since I can’t imagine any other way that he would have found me. I wonder if the receptionist tipped him off.
“Hurry,” Alek says, waving his hand as he jogs up to the helicopter.
“I don’t see what the hurry is,” I grumble as I break into a slow run. I’ve about had enough of running through the cold climate here. I wouldn’t have left my hotel if I
knew I’d be exposed to this much cold.
The sound of a gun echoing through the vast expanse just outside the building helps me pick up my pace. I turn around to see not only the two thugs who were coming after me in their car but an additional swarm of men toting firearms, all aimed at me.
“Holy shit,” I exclaimed, jumping into the helicopter for my dear life.
Alek dual-wields the flight controls and his rifle, pumping lead at the group of men through the fresh snow falling from the sky. He rattles off shots with surprising accuracy as a few bullets from the enemy graze the windshield. They don’t pierce through the glass, thankfully, but I still duck to keep my head from being blown off my shoulders in case any do.
“How do you like Russia?” Alek yells over the spinning helicopter blades.
“What?” I yell back, amazed that he would ask such a question at a time like this.
“Russia! How do you like it?”
“It’s cold,” I yell back, not knowing what else to tell him.
“You can say that again,” Alek replies with a laugh, lifting the helicopter off the ground while continuing to fire his gun with the door open.
Most of the men that were shooting at us are back in the building, but a few of the braver ones are still outside, sacrificing their lives to Alek’s bullets as they whiz through the snowy air. I’m on the edge of my seat as we rise up into the gray sky, praying that we make it out of here in one piece. Alek seems confident enough.
Once we’re high enough to be out of range of the enemy, Alek swings the helicopter over the building, flying over it while he closes his door. The cabin is still loud from the sound of the chopper blades, but it’s no longer deafening.
“Put these on,” Alek yells, handing me a headset.
I take it from him, slipping it over my frozen ears. I’m just thankful to be alive and warm again. The headphones are a plus.
Alek grabs a set from between his knees and places them over his ears, moving the wired microphone up to his lips. “It’s smooth sailing from here on out. Enjoy the view. Even Fedorov territory can be beautiful.”
I look down through the large front glass, observing the city below. It all looks so innocent from up here. Under different circumstances, I would be enjoying this little helicopter ride with Alek. The city is charming when the buildings are so tiny. The architecture is impressive as well.
“Over there is your hotel. I had to pick Nikolai up from there after he was finished with you,” Alek says, pointing a finger across my lap toward the window.
I roll my eyes at his comment about Nikolai but look down to see the hotel. “You picked him up in this helicopter?” I ask.
“Yes, ma’am. Right off the rooftop. He has a knack for getting himself into trouble, but I can’t blame him in this case. You’re a very beautiful woman.”
I laugh. “Thank you.”
“I only speak the truth. Nikolai is a lucky man.”
“Maybe not, once I break his damn neck for getting me into this mess,” I reply dryly.
Alek lets out a deep chuckle. “He picked a feisty one, I see. He always did like them a bit spicier than most.”
“I’m not his girlfriend, and he didn’t pick me. It was a onetime thing,” I say, trying to correct him.
“Whatever you say,” Alek replies, a smile on his lips. “There is the headquarters. Nikolai is waiting for you there,” he says after a moment, pointing to a gray building isolated from the ones surrounding it.
“I hope you guys have some food,” I reply. “I’m starved.”
Chapter Ten
Nikolai
She doesn’t look happy. Those emerald eyes could cut right through me with the way she’s glaring. One would think I had killed her dog by the way she’s staring me down. What she might not realize is that I just saved her life.
“Welcome to the Volkov headquarters, Elaine,” I say, waving my hand through the air at the room.
We’re in one of the several lobbies that I have set up in the building. I use different ones for different people that I have over. There’s one for regular guests, one for people I don’t trust, and one for friends and family. The friends and family lobby is the one that I’ve brought Elaine to.
“Why did you bring me here?” she snaps, stepping forward with her hands on her wide hips.
I smile.
She’s just a beautiful when she’s angry as when she’s beneath me with her eyes filled with lust.
“I brought you to my headquarters because you seem to have missed your flight,” I reply.
“Miss it?” she asks, throwing her hands up. “The whole damn place was abandoned. Tell me what’s going on.”
“The Fedorov wanted the airport, I suppose.”
“Why?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” I suggest, coming up to her and offering her my hand. “Come, I’ll show you to your room.”
She jerks away from me, refusing my extended hand. “I want to go home. I’m not staying with your mafia.”
I love the spark in her eyes, burning those emerald jewels with a heat that indicates an unmatched passion. Elaine really is something else. I never expected such a strong attitude from an American tourist. She continues to surprise me.
“I will make sure you’re on the night available flight,” I say calmly, “But for now, I’d like you to come with me to your room. You can freshen up there, and then we can further discuss your arrangements.”
Elaine narrows her eyes until her pupils are barely visible, pressing her plump lips together hard. She doesn’t say anything for a moment. Instead, she studies me with the utmost suspicion, as though she hadn’t hooked up with me a few nights ago.
She hesitates on my offer, but since she doesn’t have anywhere else to go, she complies, walking forward, but still refusing my hand. I put it down and lead her through a thick steel door into the hallway.
Most of the headquarters is behind coded locks, iris scanners, and other advanced security measures that will laser the skin off your face if you attempt to breach it. I’m not worried about Elaine causing trouble, but I’d rather keep her in a set area of the building, so we don’t have any unexpected trouble. Not everyone here knows who she is or why she’s here.
“I’ll show you around once you’re ready, but I advise you to stick to a certain area that’s level one security. Nobody will have a problem with you being there,” I explain as we make out way up to the guest bedroom. I have half a mind to put her in the room that I use, but I don’t want to push her. I’m sure she’ll come around if she feels like having a good time again.
“I’m not going anywhere but back to the United States,” she grumbles from behind me.
“Good idea,” I say. “The worst thing you can do is go wandering around and get yourself killed. It’s a dangerous place out there.”
“Apparently so,” she replies. “A bunch of thugs chased Alek and me at the airport.”
I come to a stop suddenly in the hallway, a few feet from the door to the guest room. “A bunch of thugs?” I ask, turning around slowly, like the ballerina in a music box.
Elaine nods. “Yeah, a bunch of bald guys with leather jackets and guns.”
“At the airport,” I repeat.
“Yes, I just said that,” she replies.
“So, they either know about you, or they’re pissed that you trespassed on their property,” I say, rubbing my chin. I hope that it’s the latter.
“It’s public property,” she says, her voice growing louder. “I’m pretty sick of this gang territory bullshit. Why can’t I just take a flight out of here?”
“You’re right,” I say gently, trying to calm her down. “This mafia business has gone too far into the civilian world. Perhaps I should drop some Phenolide-11 in there,” I say, knowing she doesn’t know what that means.
“Someone already beat you to it,” she replies, her voice snappy and sarcastic.
“What?” I ask, taken aback.
“P
henolide-11,” she says, as though everyone knows what that is. “They already dropped some in the airport.”
For the first time in a long time, my heart flutters in my chest. My hands of sweaty, and I feel hot and cold at the same time. “Phenolide-11?”
“Jesus, Nikolai. Do I have to repeat myself every time? Yes, Phenolide-11. There was a canister of the stuff rolling around in the boarding room.”
“Shit,” I mutter, loud enough for her to hear it.
“I’m guessing that’s a bad thing,” she says, her voice a bit softer.
I step forward and open the door to the guest room. “It’s a very bad thing, but not for you to worry about. Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll come to get you in thirty minutes.”
Elaine squints at me again but obeys me with less hesitation this time. She didn’t seem to have any trouble obeying me when I was slinging her feet behind her ears, but I guess things change when women find out that I’m a mafia boss. Elaine doesn’t trust me as much as she did before.
“I’ll come to get you later. Don’t leave the room,” I caution, turning around to go. I hear the door click shut behind me as I walk away.
We’re fucked. I should put a bullet through Anastasia’s head for selling Phenolide-11 to the Fedorov mafia. They’re doing insane things with it. Meanwhile, she’s probably getting a pedicure and counting the hundreds of millions of rubles that she gained from selling banned war chemicals to half the bratvas in the country.
I clench my fists, genuinely angered by what we’ve all become. The bratva used to stand for something. We didn’t just kill people for no reason, and we certainly didn’t deploy gas on civilians. Something has got to change before the world goes mad.
I have a briefing with Alek, where he’ll confirm what Elaine has already told me, and then I need to work on finding a flight for Elaine. Unfortunately, she’s not going to be leaving headquarters until I figure out if the Fedorov knows that she’s with me. It would be too risky for her to step on a plane when our enemies have already shown that they’re brave enough to cause trouble at an airport.