Page 69 of The Councilor

“Yeah, I do. Whoever this is followed us when I allowed her to get clothes, for Christ’s sake.” I’d never felt so exasperated in my life. And helpless. That didn’t bode well for anyone.

“Where the fuck are we at with this?” Vadim threw out. “We need to get to the bottom of whatever is going on so it doesn’t destroy everything.”

Nikolay rubbed his jaw and sighed. “Look, Sergei and Maxim are still out there along with my two Capos and dozens of soldiers, but other than several casings from the high-powered weapon, there’s nothing. No sign of the intruder since the building was under renovation, the construction crew off for the day. I’ve had the cameras in nearby businesses checked but none are pointed at the roof. We have word out on the street, payment beingoffered for any information on the shooter, but it would seem whoever this guy is has our informants stymied.”

“No one has claimed the act?” I snapped once again. In the case of gunning down a high-ranking member of a crime syndicate, almost always someone took gleeful credit. Perhaps because the asshole hadn’t been successful, he was remaining low.

Until the deed was done.

Nikolay just shook his head.

“Fuck!” This time, I tossed the drink against the wall, the glass shattering.

I could tell Vadim was holding his tongue. When he did speak, his voice was surprisingly calm. “We’re going to use all resources to find this jerk, but I’m going to give you a piece of advice. Go to the Brighton Beach house.”

The storm continued to rage outside, the wind howling. He was right but I had no desire to leave tonight. Not only because it was dark but because even as we were speaking, a brigade of reporters was hanging around the gate trying to gain access. One had even dared try to climb over the steel posts. Thankfully, Ivan had stopped him, tossing the man off the property.

There would be more.

The notoriety from this case was overwhelming. I’d never expected such a reaction. Of course it didn’t help that Congressman Tillman had egged on the press with talking about freedom and his rights. Blah. Blah. Blah. I’d told the man to shut the fuck up and return to his life, but he was as much a drama king as any man I’d ever known.

“It’s not good enough.” I was being tougher on myself than anyone else, but how could I have been so fucking stupid? The bullets had whizzed by, hitting the car three times. Not that I gave a shit about the Mercedes, but being caught with my pants down wasn’t anything I’d ever done before.

“It’s going to need to be for now. Take several men with you. You know many of our guards live in Brighton Beach. If it’s any other crime syndicate, they’d been stupid to come onto our territory.” Vadim was right but that didn’t make me feel much better.

“Fine.” I pulled out my weapon, checking the magazine for the fifth time since returning home. I had to be conscientious at all times at this point.

“Go to the beach,” Vadim repeated.

“Yeah, in the morning. Raphaella is finally resting. She hates storms. She hates this life.” Fuck, at this point so did I.

The one good thing about heading to the Brighton Beach location was that there was the best security system available already installed. It was a gift from my grandfather but had been used by both Vadim and Nikolay on several occasions. Maybe being back in the area would be good for my soul.

Raphaella I wasn’t so certain about.

Vadim clapped me on the back. “Go be with her. It’s obvious how much you care about her.”

“Yeah, I do. She’s seen me at my best and worst. She’s a tough lady.”

“Women are always stronger than men,” Nikolay said.

At least he could allow me a slight smile. “Yeah, they are.” I was thankful I’d made the choice to step back from the law firm. I was a Capo at heart, a Councilor and both were considered revered positions. It was time I took more of my rightful place.

“Good to see someone can tame you and don’t go off halfcocked about how you two were forced together. I could tell you had a thing for her from minute one.” Vadim was now grinning. I realized there was nothing I could do tonight to escalate finding the fucking son of a bitch, but I wasn’t ready to let my guard down.

Still, I laughed halfheartedly. At least they had my back.

“She’s special.” When I said the words, I truly meant them. I wasn’t a relationship kind of guy but around her, anything was possible. Anything.

As long as we remained alive.

“You’re sure the Irish haven’t laid claim? The Armenians?”

Vadim exhaled, likely tired of my repetitive questions. “No, but needless to say, we’re keeping an eye on them as well.”

The list was long.

And my anger was only increasing.

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