Page 33 of The Pakhan

I leaned closer, not wanting the men to hear what I was about to say. “Someone betrayed Vadim. Someone who knows him well.”

Vadim

It had been a long fucking day. Too long.

I’d nearly lost my mind when I’d heard the two women were in danger. I’d almost gone after them myself until Francois had called a second time, letting me know they were secure.

After praising the two girls for taking action so quickly, and my daughter for remembering the plan I’d trained her on, I’d berated them for a few minutes. It was my job. At least that’s what it had felt like at the time.

Now I felt like a shit.

The moment I’d given Caroline a hug, desire had roared through me like I was some predatory lion instead of the man who’d promised to protect her. Fuck. This shit was getting messy and I loathed a mess of any kind.

It was late and I was ready to knock back a few drinks so I wouldn’t go off the deep end and kill someone just because I felt the need to release tension.

Francois suddenly appeared in my doorway, looking more sheepish than I was used to. “What is it?” I’d asked my men what had occurred, realizing that part of the shit had gone down because one soldier had left his post. Yeah, my daughter had insisted but he knew better. He was paid to be a hard ass, not a lackey.

I’d sent Francois to retrieve the man, bringing him to me.

“There’s something you need to know.” He walked closer, rubbing his hands on his trousers.

“Something else?”

“Something I overheard. Your guest, a lovely girl by the way, seems to think someone is betraying you.”

Caught off guard, I narrowed my eyes, curious as to what he had to say. “What did she say?”

“It was whispered to your daughter and there wasn’t much except she’s certain someone close to you betrayed you. That’s all I got but I knew you needed to know.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” I’d been right about Caroline holding something back but that didn’t make it easier in my mind. She was a tough girl, fearful of more than just the situation. That much was easy to tell.

“Where’s Ivan?”

“Waiting outside. Do you want me to bring him in?”

“Yes,” I told him. “Then you can go. Just double check the estate is secure.”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry about today.”

“How many did you gun down?”

“Six, maybe seven. But a few got away.”

I’d been forced to send a cleanup crew to keep the heat off, but I had a bad feeling that wouldn’t last for long. “Well, you did good. I appreciate you keeping the precious cargo safe.”

“Of course, Pakhan. I’ll get Ivan.”

While I knew Ivan hadn’t intended on anything happening, only trying to be helpful, his actions had nearly cost lives. I couldn’t tolerate that without some form of punishment. Although I wondered if I was in the best frame of mind to dole it out at this point. I needed to have a discussion with Caroline.

Then I needed to go far away from her. She’d appeared so vulnerable, so frightened that my protective instinct had shifted into something else entirely.

My need to possess her.

That wasn’t acceptable. It couldn’t happen.

Maybe the more I told myself that, the more I’d believe it.

Ivan walked in on his own, the usually smug man looking anything but. I wasn’t certain what to say so I launched in. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You left your post. You knew better. You almost got those women killed and hell, yourself and the men you work with daily.” My voice had already risen a couple of decibels.

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