Deadly Vows (Avilov Bratva #2)

13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Aleksandr

My senses gradually came alive to the subtle fragrance of Talia’s hair and the comforting warmth of her body curled next to mine. She was sleeping peacefully, her face turned toward me, her expression serene and innocent. I couldn’t help but smile, a tender feeling welling up inside me as I watched her. Strands of her dark hair splayed out on the pillow, framing her delicate features. She looked beautiful, angelic even, and I wished I could stay in this moment forever, but reality was a harsh mistress.

Gently, I brushed a lock of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her. Talia had been through so much in her life; she deserved this moment of peace. I wanted nothing more than to protect her and keep her safe from all the dangers lurking in our world’s shadows. Yet, to do that, I had to face those dangers head-on. Vic was still out there, hiding like the rat he was, and as long as he remained at large, Talia would never be safe.

I slipped out of bed, moving with practiced stealth. Talia murmured something in her sleep but didn’t wake. I watched her for another moment, my heart heavy with the weight of what I had to do. Then, I dressed quickly, my mind shifting gears, planning the steps I needed to take today. Dimitri and Anton would be waiting for me at the gallery. We had to devise a plan to flush Vic out of hiding. It was the only way to end this once and for all.

The drive to the gallery was uneventful, and the city was quiet in the early morning. My thoughts were consumed with strategies and contingencies, but I couldn’t shake the image of Talia’s peaceful face. She was my anchor, my reason for everything I did now. That bastard Vic was going to die a slow and painful death.

When I arrived at the gallery, Dimitri and Anton were already there. They greeted me with nods, their expressions determined.

“Morning, pakhan ,“ Anton said, handing me a cup of coffee. The gallery was still and quiet, the walls adorned with vibrant art constantly reminding me of the life I had left behind.

“Morning,” I replied. Anton’s perpetually calm demeanor had a slight crack in it this morning. “Any leads on Vic?”

“Not yet,” I admitted, leading them to my office to talk privately. “But we need to change that. Vic won’t stay hidden forever, and the longer we wait, the more dangerous he becomes.”

Ever the strategist, Dimitri leaned forward, his sharp coffee-colored eyes narrowing. “We need to draw him out and make him finally show his hand. It’s time to end him . ”

I sat down, placing the coffee mug before me on the desk. “I’ve been thinking about that. Vic knows we’re looking for him, and he won’t come out of hiding unless he thinks he has no choice. We need to create that scenario, make him feel cornered.”

Dimitri nodded slowly. “A trap. But we’ll need to be careful. Vic’s not stupid; he’ll see through anything too obvious.”

“Exactly,” I agreed. “That’s why we need outside help. I’m thinking of contacting Adachi again to get the Yakuza involved. They have resources and reach that we don’t.”

Anton raised an eyebrow. “Adachi? Are you sure? The Yakuza aren’t exactly known for their subtlety.”

I shrugged. “They aren’t, but they get results. And right now, results are what we need. Adachi doesn’t want anything to disturb the distribution agreement we currently have in place. I’ll let him think that the situation with Vic is threatening business unless it gets resolved quickly.”

Dimitri and Anton exchanged glances, then nodded. They trusted my judgment, even if they had their reservations. “Alright,” Dimitri said. “Let’s do it.”

I walked over to the small desk in the corner of the room, where I kept a burner phone for sensitive communications. Dialing the number, I waited as the line connected. It rang twice before Adachi answered.

“Aleksandr,” his voice was smooth, calculated. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Adachi,” I greeted him, keeping my tone even. “I need your resources. The situation with Vic Corallo needs to end. Not only is he threatening my family, but he’s also threatening the business.”

There was a pause, and then Adachi’s voice came through again with a hint of anger. “What do you need?”

“Vic is a slippery motherfucker, and he’s managed to stay hidden. But I know he can’t hide from you and the Yakuza for much longer. I want you to set a trap, so he’ll feel like he has no option but to surface. Then I want him taken alive. I will be the one that gets the privilege of sending his soul to hell.”

Adachi chuckled softly. “I will help you, but it comes at a price.”

“I understand,” I said, my jaw tightening. Fucking Adachi always trying to gain the upper hand. He already gets a percentage of my business, and now he wants more. “Just find him. We’ll deal with the rest after he’s dead.”

“Consider it done,” Adachi replied. “I’ll be in touch.”

I hung up, feeling relief and apprehension. The Yakuza were dangerous allies, but they were also effective. Until now, Vic has managed to slip through everyone’s grasp, but now Adachi’s men will search the ends of the earth to find Vic and trap him. They’ll stop at nothing to snare him.

“Adachi’s on board,” I told Dimitri and Anton. “Now we wait.”

The next few hours were tense and filled with nervous anticipation. We stayed at the gallery, going over our plan, refining details, and preparing for any possible outcome. The waiting was always the most difficult part, and uncertainty gnawed at me. I couldn’t afford to fail, not with Talia’s safety on the line.

By late afternoon, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Adachi.

Vic located. Sending coordinates.

I showed the message to Dimitri and Anton, who nodded in understanding. This was it. The final move.

“Let’s go,” I said, steeling myself for what would come.

We left the gallery, the sun setting behind us as we drove to the coordinates Adachi had sent. The address led us to an old warehouse on the city’s outskirts, a perfect place for someone like Vic to hide.

“Stay sharp,” I warned as we approached. “Vic knows he’s trapped, and he’ll stop at nothing to escape.”

Dimitri and Anton drew their weapons, and I did the same. Adachi’s men were stationed around the warehouse’s perimeter, blocking all possible escape routes. We moved silently as the three of us made our way inside. The warehouse was dark and the air smelled of rust and decay. We advanced cautiously, spreading out, with every sense on high alert.

As we turned a corner, I spotted movement. Vic. He was alone, a desperate look in his eyes as he paced in circles. The hunter was now the hunted. Signaling Dimitri and Anton, we moved in.

Vic spotted us and raised his gun, but he was too slow. A single shot rang out, and Vic crumpled to the ground.

I approached him, my heart pounding. This was the man who had threatened Talia, who had killed Mikhail, and took the children. Kicking away his gun, I looked down at him, my expression dark with revenge. “It’s over, Vic.”

“You think you won?” he hissed, pressing down on the hole in his thigh where the bullet penetrated. He winced in pain as blood seeped through his fingers. “She’ll never be safe…because of you.”

I shook my head, sucking on my front teeth. “Enjoy the last few hours of your life.” With that, I turned away, leaving Vic to his pain-filled fate.

Dimitri and Anton tied him up and threw him in the trunk of our car. Anton drove us back to the mansion and escorted Vic to the dungeon. The immediate threat was gone, and Talia and the children were safe. But I knew this was only a temporary reprieve. Our world was full of dangers, and another Vic would always be waiting in the shadows.

I went straight to my bedroom in search of Talia. I needed to hold her and reassure her that everything was alright now. As long as I had her, I knew I could face whatever came next.

When I entered the bedroom, she was asleep, her face peaceful and serene.

I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my thumb along her plump lips. She stirred, opened her eyes, and smiled sleepily at me.

“You’re back,” she murmured, her voice filled with relief.

“I’m back,” I confirmed, kissing her forehead. “And everything’s going to be alright.”

“Is…is Vic dead?” she questioned, sitting up quickly.

“He will be,” I reassured her. “We found him in a warehouse. He’s in my custody.”

“Oh,” she replied thoughtfully, chewing on her lower lip.

“Vic is going to die a very slow and painful death. You understand that, don’t you?” I asked, searching her eyes for any sign of trepidation.

She reached out and cradled my cheek with her soft hand. “I understand.” Then she leaned forward and kissed me softly.

I tucked her into bed and kissed her once more. “I love you, Talia,” I whispered. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I loved her, and I’ll never let her go.

“I love you, too,” she whispered, smiling softly.

“I have to go, but I’ll be back in a few hours.”

She nodded and then closed her eyes to sleep.