Page 94 of The Councilor

Vadim and I looked at each other. From where I was sitting, I could tell it was a note written in red.

In blood.

“Fuck,” Shane hissed. “It appears you were correct.” He jerked to a standing position, tossing the note across the table.

More to come. Get prepared…

“My son was just gunned down.” The severe sadness in his voice was gut-wrenching.

“Why would he be targeted other than the obvious?”

He closed his eyes, his body swaying back and forth. This had just gotten very personal for him. It was also another telling statement.

“Your partner, Roman Whitfield used to work for me almost exclusively.”

The connection was stronger than I’d originally thought.

I wasn’t shocked hearing this, just miffed I wasn’t told. “When was that?”

“Fifteen years ago.”

I did the math. That was two years prior to us meeting by chance, becoming friends then business owners. Vadim and I were also on our feet, both of us on edge. “Go on.”

“He was the only person in the world who could have defended my son against a heinous crime. It was a horrific situation, the notoriety causing great turmoil in the ranks since he was a brutal kid. But he was my son. What was I supposed to do?” Tears slipped past the old man’s lashes and it was easy to tell he was a broken man. “He’s different today. He has a wife. Kids. He’s… responsible.”

“I’m sorry, Shane. Both of us are,” Vadim said. “If there’s anything we can do, let us know. We’re going to find this fucker.”

“Help me find the man who did this and I’ll give you anything you want.” The promise was based in the man’s deep sorrow.

“We plan on it,” I told him. “We’ll leave you as I know you have some things to do.” Plus, I had a bad feeling the sniper was just getting started for the day.

The men in the pub crowded around their leader as we were leaving. I took one last look before rushing outside.

“Don’t be so worried,” Vadim told me as I was pulling out my phone.

“You’re shitting me, aren’t you? My own partner didn’t mention his association with another mob? He acts like my association is harmful.”

“It was before you two met. People often change their stripes.”

I grimaced and dialed the man in charge of eleven highly qualified soldiers. That didn’t mean I wasn’t still violently angry. He could have mentioned his affiliation. I’m not certain how much that would have helped, but at least all the cards would be placed on the table. Instead of indulging in passion the nightbefore, I should have spent more time narrowing down the list I was preparing.

After three rings, I was ready to bolt to the house. Finally, Kraven answered. He sounded either groggy or in pain.

“Boss. There’s been… an issue.”

“What the fuck?” I was headed toward the vehicles.

“A goddamn sharpshooter on a boat. A fucking boat.”

“Please tell me you killed him.”

“I’m sorry, boss. He came ashore after killing several men, injuring others. She’s… gone.”

CHAPTER 25

Aleksander

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” I barked into the phone. “I will kill you, Roman, if anything happened to her.”

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