“Is there another exit?” I ask.
If we split up, half the cars can proceed as planned. If these men are Morello’s, he’s spread out his resources already.
“The main road connects up ahead,” Salvatore replies. “Driving around will add a lot of time.”
Up ahead, the other cars have stopped outside the gate.
“There’s a guard there?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Only one?”
“Yes.” Salvatore hesitates, then says, “There are explosives buried.”
Ideal for keeping others out. The problem is, we need to be able to exit. A massive explosion that blows up the road isn’t going to speed up that process.
The driver’s door of the front car opens. I hear a click behind me as one of Carina’s brothers readies his gun. We’re well armed at least. But this isn’t where I want to have this fight.
And then I see who is stepping out of the car. Swear. “Don’t shoot,” I order, then pop my door open and climb out. Stride toward the gate and shout, “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“I heard Italy is really nice this time of year.” Maksim makes a face. “What the fuck do you think we’re doing here, Lev? She’s a Sokolov, and you’re our brother.”
I open my mouth to respond, then notice who is sitting on the passenger side of the lead vehicle.
Maksim showing up is a shock. But I never ever would have guessed that Aleksandr would come here to help. He’s the futurepakhan. After Igor, his life is most valuable. That’s how hierarchies function and empires survive.
I don’t know what to say. There aren’t words to convey what this means to me. And I don’t have time to come up with anything sentimental to say, not with Carina’s life on the line.
“Misha sent you the address?” Maksim asks.
I nod. “We’re headed there now.”
Maksim nods back. “We’ll follow.”
I count the cars again. “How many men do you have?”
“Twenty-five.”
More—much more—than I expected. More than could have left without Igor noticing. He sent Misha to Chicago too. Those motivations were partially selfish. He can hate it all he wants, but Carina is a Sokolov. Aspakhan, he can’t treat her abduction as acceptable. No response would be a signal of weakness to our enemies, no matter where she was taken from.
Calculations aside, he could have forbidden Maksim and Aleksandr from coming. That he didn’t is a show of support I hadn’t thought my father was capable of.
My throat threatens to close again. I clear it forcibly. “You got an extra seat?”
Maksim nods. “Aleksandr was complaining about the air-conditioning not working. Other guys squeezed into the other cars after the last stop. Lucky me.”
I suppress a smile. “I’ll be right there.”
I turn and head back toward Salvatore’s SUV. His window is rolled down—they were trying to hear what we were saying. Based on his unsure expression, my Italian is better than his Russian.
“Open the gate,” I tell him.
“Who’s here?”
“My men. I’ll ride with them. We’ll take the lead and manage the front assault. Let me know once you locate her. Fall back, and we’ll take care of Morello and anyone else.”
“We’re just as—” Luca starts hotly.
