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There’s no going back now.
Chapter 36
Pyotr
Moscow from above is an intimidating sight. The buildings are tightly compact, the streets organized in neat rows and columns. The urban density makes for a challenging landscape, but we’ve thankfully chosen a vantage point that gives me a wide depth of field. I can see the warehouse clearly from here, and thanks to the scope attached to the rifle, I can clearly make out the movement of not only the Salkovs, but our own men.
The wind is harsh tonight, bringing with it an abnormal chill. I’m lying down with the rifle braced against my shoulder, trigger finger at the ready. My heart beats steadily, and my breathing is even. I’m surprisingly calm, all things considered. After our showdown with Konstantin all those years ago, I thought for sure my fighting days were over. I don’t like the thought of having to take a life, but I know for a fact the Salkovs have no qualms about killing my family.
It may be harsh, but it has to be done.
Beside me, Alina shifts. The gravel covering the rooftop crunches beneath her boots. She has a pair of binoculars up to her eyes as she scans the horizon, looking for anything suspicious that could thwart our plans. What we’re doing here is risky, but my faith in Alina is unshakeable. If she says Violetta will follow through with her plan of action, then I believe her. We can’t afford to back out now.
“There’s a whole fleet of cars coming,” she says breathlessly. “Hold your fire, though. Mother’s cars are all bulletproof. You’d be wasting ammo.”
“Copy that,” I mumble. “How many do you count?”
“Three groups, each with roughly fifteen cars. They’re getting out now.”
“Stay low, lyubimaya. Be mindful of the glint of your binoculars.”
Alina settles beside me on her knees, peeking over the edge. Even though she hasn’t said anything, I can sense her unease in the way her body trembles and her voice hitches in the back of her throat. I can’t blame her. Tensions are high. If one thing goes wrong, it could be the end of the Antonovs once and for all.
I exist in a heightened state of being. Like I’m watching everything unfold from outside of my body. The adrenaline coursing through my veins leaves the tips of my fingers and toes tingling. I’m hyper aware of the sound of my breath over the distant wail of police sirens. It’s all winding down to this exact moment. The odds are against us, but if there’s one thing to be said about the Antonovs, it’s that we’re fighters. We’ll go out kicking and screaming if we have to.
“They’re moving in,” Alina says on an exhale.
“Steady,” I tell her.
It plays out in slow motion. Through my scope, I can see the Salkov men getting out of their vehicles. They’re all heavily armed and dressed in thick protective gear. These aren’t just gangsters—they’re a fucking militia. It’s unsurprising given Violetta’s resources and seemingly endless finances. They’ve got rifles and pistols and knives tucked into their boots.
But my family knows how to give as good as we can get. We’ve faced worse odds. It’s time to show the Salkovs we’re not to be trifled with.
They move as a coordinated unit, quickly approaching the front gates of the warehouse. They’re speedy and efficient, but in their haste to claim the territory, they fail to realize that we’ve spent the last hour rigging the place to blow. It was a no-brainer to sacrifice the building. We can rebuild a warehouse; we can’t bring good men back from the dead.
The moment the first few men try to enter the warehouse, a bomb goes off—courtesy of Natalya Chekov. It was only a few years ago when she tried to kill Dimitri with a car bomb. Her unique skill set has proved useful. The first explosion triggers a chain reaction. Once one bomb goes off, so do the next eight around the property.
It’s carnage.
At least half of Violetta’s private army is killed or severely maimed in one fell swoop. A pity for them, but a much-needed win for us.
“Your brothers are moving in,” Alina informs me.
That’s my cue to get ready. While Mikhail, Dimitri, and their few surviving loyalists come in from behind, I’ve got their backs.
It’s difficult to keep track of everyone. There’s too much movement, too many gun flashes. I have to remind myself not to panic. The only way I can help my brothers is if I keep a clear head.
Mikhail is pinned down behind an armored vehicle, crouched down low while he shoots blindly around the bend. He doesn’t see the Salkov merc coming around from the other side. Mikhail probably can’t hear him, so I ready my rifle and breathe in, setting my sights on his attacker.
I pull the trigger.
The violent sound of the gunshot is muffled in my ear. Disorienting. I’ve managed to take him out. Mikhail keeps moving, making his way to Dimitri a few yards away.
“Two men at one o’clock,” Alina informs me.
I adjust my position and find two Salkov soldiers quickly approaching. I tap the trigger once, reload, and shoot again. Both fall, slumping to the cold, hard ground. With the coast clear, Dimitri and Mikhail are able to push forward. I have to remind myself not to celebrate until the war is won, but the hope rising in my chest makes it difficult to do.
This is all working so well…
