Page 77 of The Pakhan

I had three locations inside the house where I could ensure the estate was secure. However, the main communications room was nestled behind a bookcase, along with a place to store additional weapons and ammunition.

There was also a basic panic room, a small facility no one could get into if the person inside didn’t want them to gain access. It was something my father had insisted I have and a place only Aleksander, Nikolay, and the girls knew existed.

After I pressed the small button that looked like a bump in the wood of my desk, the bookcase swung open. I headed toward it, moving inside and checking the infrared system outlining the property. Whereas inside banks and opulent jewelry stores, the red lines were often able to be seen by the kind of night-vision goggles purchasable at any typical military ammunitions store, the ones I’d had installed were different.

It took a very special pair of goggles that only a single manufacturer made in the world and one I had control over. As I flicked on the system, I shifted from one of my two acres to the other, allowing my eyes to scan the area. There were no breaches, no notifications anyone had tried.

After grabbing two magazines of ammo for my handgun, I walked out, still thinking about how best to handle the fucking shitshow I was involved in.

It was time to put the pieces in place.

I texted Nikolay, not thinking he would even see the text until the morning.

My laptop had another view of the cameras, my phone as well when needed. I pulled up the set for a quick check to try to console my rage, rolling through the various angles in only a couple of minutes. My men were on duty, aggressively walking the grounds as required. I’d always believed myself to be safe in this location, or maybe I’d dared anyone to have the audacity of coming onto my property, daring to threaten me.

Now I wasn’t certain anywhere was safe or secure for that matter. No matter how much money I’d spent on a fancy security or how many guards I hired, danger would always strike when least expected. Maybe Caroline was right and this was no way to live.

When a face appeared in the camera outside the door, I immediately reached for my weapon until I recognized who was standing on my doorstep. His sudden appearance was followed by a light rapping on my door.

With my weapon still in my hand, I headed toward the entrance, shutting down the separate security system installed for doors and windows. I opened it, immediately leaning against the door jamb. “It’s almost three in the morning.”

“I knew you’d be awake.” He walked right past me, heading for my office.

Nikolay was dedicated. I had to give him that. I followed behind, immediately returning to my perch in my leather chair. “It’s difficult to sleep when the enemy is swarming like vicious vultures, and you don’t know who they are.”

“I’m glad you’re okay.” He leaned over my desk, something obviously on his mind. “I had some men head to a couple raves and snoop around the druggies.”

“You think a drug addict is behind the attack, setting up a pretty decent scheme under the noses of several high-ranking law enforcement officers?” I needed to start ruling out people one by one. When I turned on my desk lamp, he seemed surprised, even shielding his eyes.

“What the hell? I thought you liked the darkness.”

“I do but I need to check to ensure my men aren’t injured.”

He looked at me quizzically. I had zero reason to doubt his loyalty, but I preferred to be certain, no longer acting foolish. If I wanted to find that joy I’d jabbered on about with Caroline, I’d need to keep my head completely clear for a few days or weeks. Neither his face nor his neck bore any scratches and I would easily detect if makeup had been used.

“I’m fine,” he said. “But you need to hear that the word is that you’re being used as a scapegoat, but don’t feel so special. Supposedly, so is Stefano Marino, which I find tough to buy.”

I took a deep breath, thinking about all the events and evidence. “I think it’s a distinct possibility, but I’ll likely establish another meeting with Stefano and push some buttons.”

“A game of Russian roulette.”

“And I play it so well. Let me know. What about Joshua?”

“Oh, the hacker? He’s good at his job. We thought we had him at a place just outside Brooklyn, but it was a false address. Our computer experts are working on it diligently. However, they have a bad feeling the dude is onto us.”

The kid was playing his own version of Russian roulette. It was possible the guy had no idea who he was dealing with. Greed went a long way in nurturing stupidity. “Scour this fucking city. I do not care how you find him. Find him. Period.”

I could hear his exaggerated sigh. Yes, I was pushing my men, all of them, but I had a very bad feeling this city was about to experience a kind of war they hadn’t seen in decades.

Only the players were yet to be identified.

“We’re working around the clock,” he said.

“Good. Keep me informed.” I didn’t need to tell him that. My men had been through enough they knew the score. “I’m going to have a meeting with Stefano again tomorrow as well as the members of the Armenian syndicate and the Irish. If either one of them are behind this, I’ll know. If not, I’m going to suggest a temporary alliance until this nightmare is over.”

“Wow. You’re worried about this shit.”

“Very much so.”

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