Page 50 of Captured By the Russian Wolf

"I'll take care of it," Vadim said, and I could hear the slight tension in his voice. He knew this was serious, and he knew me well enough to understand that if I was handling Nicholas myself, things could get ugly fast. "Anything else?"

"Keep it quiet," I repeated, my voice low. "No one else can know. Not even Lily."

"Got it."

I hung up the phone, my fingers tightening around it as I stared at the empty screen. I hated lying to her, but I couldn't risk her knowing about this. She was too close to the edge, too conflicted, and if she found out what I was planning, she'd want to get involved. She'd want to confront her father herself, and I couldn't allow that. Not after everything he'd done to her.

I stood up, pacing the room as the weight of the decision settled over me. I had given Lily the illusion of choice—told her she could walk away, leave this world behind. But I knew better. There was no peace, no fresh start as long as Nicholas was alive.He was too dangerous, too calculating. He would never stop coming after her, coming after us. And that was something I couldn't live with.

The thought of him using her again, twisting her into his schemes like he had with Alexei, made my blood boil. I had seen what it had done to her, how it had broken her piece by piece. And I wasn't going to let it happen again.

I spent the next few hours preparing, making sure everything was in place. My mind raced with possible outcomes, scenarios playing out like a twisted game of chess. Nicholas was a smart man, too smart to think I'd let him walk away without a fight. He'd come prepared. He always did. But this time, I'd be ready for him.

The sun had barely risen the next day when I felt Lily stir beside me, her body warm against mine in the bed. She hadn't slept well, her mind clearly still plagued by everything. I could feel the tension in her even now, the uncertainty that had settled between us. She hadn't made her decision, but that didn't matter.

I had made mine.

I kissed her softly on the forehead as she blinked awake, her eyes clouded with sleep, stress, and surprise. Her fingers brushed her forehead in wonder, just like she did the evening before.

"I'll be out for the day," I told her gently, trying to keep my voice even. "There are some things I need to take care of."

She looked up at me, her brow furrowing slightly, but she didn't ask questions. She was too caught up in the feel of my lips on her, the gentleness I'd shown her.

"Okay," she finally whispered, her voice thick with exhaustion.

I squeezed her hand, feeling the weight of what I was about to do pressing down on me. "Get some rest. I'll be back."

She nodded, her eyes already drifting shut again as she curled into the sheets, and for a moment, I let myself just watch her. She looked so peaceful, so vulnerable, and it made something tighten in my chest. I didn't deserve this. I didn't deserve her trust, not after how hard I was on her. Not after what I decided to do. But I would protect her, no matter the cost.

Even if it meant going behind her back.

By the time I reached the warehouse later that night, the sky had darkened, casting long shadows across the empty docks. The air was thick with the smell of salt and oil, the sounds of the city distant and muffled. Vadim and a few of my men were already in position, their eyes sharp as they scanned the area, making sure everything was secure.

I stepped out of the car, pulling my coat tighter around me as the cool night air hit my skin. The warehouse loomed ahead, its rusted metal doors creaking slightly in the wind, and I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that always came before a confrontation like this.

"Nicholas inside?" I asked, my voice low as Vadim approached.

He nodded, his expression grim. "He's waiting. No backup, just like you asked. But be careful, Boss. I don't trust him."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Neither do I."

Vadim stepped back, giving me space as I walked toward the entrance. This wasn't just about business anymore. This was personal. And Nicholas Donovan was about to learn that there were consequences for crossing me.

The metal door groaned as I pushed it open and stepped into the dimly lit warehouse. The smell of dust and old oil filled theair, the faint sound of dripping water echoing from somewhere in the shadows. And there, standing in the center of the room, was Nicholas.

He looked the same as ever—cold, calculating, his posture straight and rigid, like he still believed he was in control. But there was something in his eyes that told me he knew the game had changed.

"Nikita," he greeted, his voice smooth, controlled. "I wasn't expecting such a personal invitation."

I clenched my jaw, stopping a few feet away from him. "This ends tonight, Donovan."

His smile widened, the same cruel, condescending smirk I had seen too many times. "Does it? You really think you can dictate how this ends?"

The arrogance in his voice was infuriating, but it wasn't surprising. Nicholas had always been a master manipulator, playing people like pawns in his endless game of power. And now, he thought he could use those same tactics to get out of this.

But what he didn't understand was that I wasn't like his other pawns. I didn't play by his rules. I made my own.

I walked forward, closing the gap between us until I was mere inches from him, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "You think you're untouchable because of your connections. But the truth is, you're just a man who's run out of moves. You're alone now, Donovan. And no one's coming to save you."

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