Page 84 of Unholy Tsar

“Then we’d better get moving.”

Tossing the man to the ground, I march outside. A cold wind greets me. It’s almost loud enough to cover up the sound of gunshots as our security guard is laid to rest.

Clearly, he was involved in this mess, but even if he wasn’t, we couldn’t risk him running off to alert someone that we were coming.

“Let’s get a move on,” I bark commands as Dante and the men stream out of the mansion and into our waiting cars.

“What if it’s a trap?” Dante asks, joining me in the backseat.

I shake my head. Something does feel off about all this, but that’s not going to stop me. These fuckers don’t know what we’re capable of.

They’ll find out, though. Soon.

“Then we’ll just have to be careful,” I rumble.

While we drive, Dante outlines our plan of attack. But I can’t concentrate. Not fully. My mind is only half here. The other half is back home with Cecilia.

No. Not home. Russia isn’t home anymore.

I pull in a deep breath.

That’s right, Russia isn’t home.

But Cecelia is.

As long as I’m with her, everything feels right. Maybe that’s why this feels so off—because I’ve had to leave her behind.

When we arrive at the old Gulag site, the sun has gone down, making it even more obvious that the abandoned camp is no longer abandoned.

A steady stream of light emits from the main building. This could be it.

My men and I get out of our cars and load up our guns. I survey the clearing before settling my gaze on the main building with the blazing lights. My gut tells me that's where I need to go.

But I’m sure it won’t be easy. Looking skyward, I spot a row of towers—prime spots for any sniper. Fuck it. We’ll just have to risk it.

With our guns loaded, I divide the men. “Dante, you take a team to check out the buildings on the right. Make sure they’re empty; if they’re not, clear them out. Ezra, take your group left. Secure the perimeter.”

“What about you, sir?” Dante asks.

“Whoever’s behind this shit must know I’m looking for them by now. If they see me coming alone, they won’t just start shooting. They didn’t drag us here for nothing. They want an audience. So, I’ll be the distraction while you conquer the surrounding land. Make sure we can circle them. Then we’ll have the advantage.”

Ezra moves off with his team while Dante hesitates briefly. “Be careful.”

“You too.”

“Never am.”

“Me neither.”

With that, we get to work.

My heart pounds, veins filling with adrenaline as I get closer and closer to the building and its looming door. But my head is cool. I’m in control.

Keeping low, I try the door handle, not expecting it to budge. But to my surprise, it swings open easily.

I frown. Definitely a trap. No matter. I’m not about to run away now. We’re too close.

Gun raised, I walk inside. At first, the place is a ghost town. Long hallways stretch out on all sides, the walls littered with doors. I listen carefully, but the place is silent.