Page 26 of The Brigadier

“Yeah, well, this couldn’t wait.”

“You sound stressed.”

I powered back most of my drink, checking the weapon was still in my desk drawer. I pulled it out and would check the security cameras. However, I doubted they would come after one of the Bratva at this point. Whoever it was believed they’d found easy pickings.

But that could change.

“Stressed, yes. My brother called. Someone has been threatening Chantel.”

“Well, fuck. What the hell? Didn’t she just move here?”

“Yeah,” I told him, returning to the bar. My protective side was already taking over, my need to have her safely here with me stronger than it should be, but I no longer gave a fuck. “I wanted to place you and Aleksander on alert. I think we have more than just a small problem.”

“I agree. The soldiers are doing exactly what you suggested. We need to try and catch a break. I hope your men are going to try and capture this guy?”

“I’m sure they will.”

Vadim hissed. “You’re damn good at interrogation. Just don’t allow your personal feelings to get in the way of this.”

The man knew me too well. “I’ll try not to.” Hell, it was too late. “I’ll let you know if I learn anything.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow. I think it’s time we became more aggressive.”

“Agreed.”

Now it was time to wait.

And goddamn it. I wasn’t a patient man.

Chantel

Fear.

It did crazy things to your mind and also to your body. The creepy crawlies refused to leave, but my mind was conjuring up danger unlike anything I’d faced. I did exactly as my father said,shoving clothes into the bag haphazardly. I didn’t care. Clothes didn’t matter if I wasn’t alive. Shit. I was losing my mind.

A few minutes later, I was jumping out of my skin. Especially when the buzzer sounded. I almost hesitated until I realized what was happening. I couldn’t have raced to the intercom fast enough.

“Yes?” The single word was a clear indication of how terrified I was.

“My name is Danny Sinclair. I’m Nikolay Kuzmin’s lieutenant. I was told you were in danger and Nikolay sent me to pick you up. Can you buzz me in?”

I almost felt as if I couldn’t but there was no other choice. Although a girl could never be too cautious. “Uncle Nikolay has a particular tattoo on his neck.”

He chuckled. “An ugly black vine.”

I might like this guy.

“You passed.” I unlocked all but one mechanism and remained terrified, backing away from the door once again.

He was outside my door knocking in what seemed like less than a minute. “Chantel? It’s Danny. It’s going to be okay. Just open the door and I’ll get you out of here.”

It took me a second to react, finally managing to unlock the last. He opened the door slowly, methodical in his actions. The guy was huge, which made me feel pretty damn good. “He was there watching me.”

“Where?”

“Across the street.” I pointed to the window and closed the door, still so terrified I could barely breathe.

He took long strides to the window, scanning the street. “What was he wearing?”

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