AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mikhail and I are already out the door. I flick off the lights for good measure. Who knew some salt water and a dark room could make a grown man like Belyaev cry like a baby?
Chapter 40
Natalya
Mikhail and I roll up to the curb, roughly two blocks away from the building in question. I thought Belyaev’s description of a big grey building with glass doors was vague as hell, but as it turns out, the building is incredibly distinct from its neighbors. The surrounding area consists of smaller, run-down apartment complexes. This one is shiny and new in comparison. It reallyishard to miss.
Especially with the army of mean-mugged guards standing around on the sidewalk.
“I’ll go in alone,” I tell Mikhail.
“Absolutely not.”
“You’re too important,” I reason. “They all probably know who you are. Knowing Levitsky, they’ve probably been ordered to fill you full of holes the second you step out of the car.”
“Dimitri will kill me if anything happens to you.”
“Youneed to get to him,” I snap. “If he’s on his way to meet Levitsky, then you need to be there as his backup. Have you texted him and told him it’s a trap?”
“I’ve tried. I don’t think he’s seen my message yet.”
I scowl. Edvard probably asked to meet Dimitri somewhere secluded. Russia isn’t exactly known for its excellent data coverage. What if he’s in an area with no signal?
“You need to gather your men,” I continue. “Follow through with the plan. Get the other Bratva involved, I don’t care. Do what you have to to save Dimitri.”
“And what about you? How the hell are you going to get into the building?”
It’s a perfectly valid question. From what I can see, they’ve got all the entrances covered. I’m really coming up with all this stuff as I go.
“I’ll find a way to sneak in, grab Simon, and get out before anyone realizes what’s happened.”
“That’s easier said than done,” Mikhail warns. “You can’t go in there alone.”
I see so much of Dimitri in Mikhail. They’re both so honorable, so protective.
“We don’t have a choice,” I argue. “Please, we’re wasting precious time. Get to Dimitri. Save him and then come back for me. I’ll rescue Simon and lie low until you two come back for us.”
“This is ridiculous. This whole plan is riding on luck and desperation.”
I nod. “Believe me, if there was a safer way to do this, I’d be doing it.”
Mikhail stares at me as he white knuckles the steering wheel. “You’ve got spunk. I can see why Dimitri likes you.”
I offer a small smile. “I do my best. I’ll text you the second I’m somewhere safe.”
“Try and make your way back to the house once you do. The two of you will be safe there.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Good luck, Natalya.”
“You, too.”
There’s no time to waste on lingering goodbyes. The second I step out of the vehicle, Mikhail drives off. We share the same urgency. At any moment, things could go wrong. The only way we’re going to beat Levitsky at his own game is if we outpace him. He might have influence and firepower, but we have speed on our side.
I keep my distance, staying low to keep out of sight. From what I can tell, there are two exits; one in the front and one in the back, both of which are heavily guarded. Even from this distance, I can tell they’re all packing heat. It’s in the way they stand and walk, like they’re untouchable. Going through them is obviously not an option. Going around doesn’t seem any more successful.
Above me, a bird squawks. I watch it soar by lazily before it lands on the rooftop of the building one over.
