Page 23 of Deadly Vows

Dimitri and Anton exchanged glances, then nodded. They trusted my judgment, even if they had their reservations. “Alright,” Dimitri said. “Let’s do it.”

I walked over to the small desk in the corner of the room, where I kept a burner phone for sensitive communications. Dialing the number, I waited as the line connected. It rang twice before Adachi answered.

“Aleksandr,” his voice was smooth, calculated. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Adachi,” I greeted him, keeping my tone even. “I need your resources. The situation with Vic Corallo needs to end. Not only is he threatening my family, but he’s also threatening the business.”

There was a pause, and then Adachi’s voice came through again with a hint of anger. “What do you need?”

“Vic is a slippery motherfucker, and he’s managed to stay hidden. But I know he can’t hide from you and the Yakuza for much longer. I want you to set a trap, so he’ll feel like he has no option but to surface. Then I want him taken alive. I will be the one that gets the privilege of sending his soul to hell.”

Adachi chuckled softly. “I will help you, but it comes at a price.”

“I understand,” I said, my jaw tightening. Fucking Adachi always trying to gain the upper hand. He already gets a percentage of my business, and now he wants more. “Just find him. We’ll deal with the rest after he’s dead.”

“Consider it done,” Adachi replied. “I’ll be in touch.”

I hung up, feeling relief and apprehension. The Yakuza were dangerous allies, but they were also effective. Until now, Vic has managed to slip through everyone’s grasp, but now Adachi’s men will search the ends of the earth to find Vic and trap him. They’ll stop at nothing to snare him.

“Adachi’s on board,” I told Dimitri and Anton. “Now we wait.”

The next few hours were tense and filled with nervous anticipation. We stayed at the gallery, going over our plan, refining details, and preparing for any possible outcome. The waiting was always the most difficult part, and uncertaintygnawed at me. I couldn’t afford to fail, not with Talia’s safety on the line.

By late afternoon, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Adachi.

Vic located. Sending coordinates.

I showed the message to Dimitri and Anton, who nodded in understanding. This was it. The final move.

“Let’s go,” I said, steeling myself for what would come.

We left the gallery, the sun setting behind us as we drove to the coordinates Adachi had sent. The address led us to an old warehouse on the city’s outskirts, a perfect place for someone like Vic to hide.

“Stay sharp,” I warned as we approached. “Vic knows he’s trapped, and he’ll stop at nothing to escape.”

Dimitri and Anton drew their weapons, and I did the same. Adachi’s men were stationed around the warehouse’s perimeter, blocking all possible escape routes. We moved silently as the three of us made our way inside. The warehouse was dark and the air smelled of rust and decay. We advanced cautiously, spreading out, with every sense on high alert.

As we turned a corner, I spotted movement.Vic.He was alone, a desperate look in his eyes as he paced in circles. The hunter was now the hunted. Signaling Dimitri and Anton, we moved in.

Vic spotted us and raised his gun, but he was too slow. A single shot rang out, and Vic crumpled to the ground.

I approached him, my heart pounding. This was the man who had threatened Talia, who had killed Mikhail, and tookthe children. Kicking away his gun, I looked down at him, my expression dark with revenge. “It’s over, Vic.”

“You think you won?” he hissed, pressing down on the hole in his thigh where the bullet penetrated. He winced in pain as blood seeped through his fingers. “She’ll never be safe…because of you.”

I shook my head, sucking on my front teeth. “Enjoy the last few hours of your life.” With that, I turned away, leaving Vic to his pain-filled fate.

Dimitri and Anton tied him up and threw him in the trunk of our car. Anton drove us back to the mansion and escorted Vic to the dungeon. The immediate threat was gone, and Talia and the children were safe. But I knew this was only a temporary reprieve. Our world was full of dangers, and another Vic would always be waiting in the shadows.

I went straight to my bedroom in search of Talia. I needed to hold her and reassure her that everything was alright now. As long as I had her, I knew I could face whatever came next.

When I entered the bedroom, she was asleep, her face peaceful and serene.

I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my thumb along her plump lips. She stirred, opened her eyes, and smiled sleepily at me.

“You’re back,” she murmured, her voice filled with relief.

“I’m back,” I confirmed, kissing her forehead. “And everything’s going to be alright.”

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