Page 28 of Deadly Offer

“Like hell.” Reuben grabbed his arm. “We go together or not at all.”

The door to the security room shuddered as someone tried to force it open.

Nikon’s mind raced through scenarios; angles, exits, blind spots. Three of them against at least five of Dmitrii’s men. Bad odds, but not impossible.

His gaze locked with Alexei’s for a fraction of a second—a silent communication honed through years of operations together. His brother gave an almost imperceptible nod before turning to the door.

“Both of you go.” Alexei positioned himself by the door, gun raised. “I’ll hold them off.”

“Alexei—”

“Go.” His brother’s voice was steel. “I’ll be right behind you. I’ll create a diversion at the east entrance in exactly two minutes. Be ready.”

Nikon registered Alexei’s real meaning instantly: split their pursuers, improve the odds. Classic Matvei strategy, taught to them by Grigorii.

Nikon hesitated, torn between staying to fight and protecting Reuben.

The choice was made for him when the door burst open. Alexei opened fire immediately, driving the attackers back.

“NOW!” Alexei shouted over the gunfire.

Nikon grabbed Reuben’s hand, pulling him into the tunnel. They ran through the darkness, guided only by emergency lights spaced along the floor.

Behind them, the sounds of the gunfight faded, replaced by their pounding footsteps and ragged breathing.

They emerged into the basement of an adjacent office building. Empty. Silent. The emergency lights cast everything in a sickly green. Nikon led them up to street level, and the service exit yielded to his push.

Cold air slapped their faces. Sirens screamed two, maybe three blocks away.

“We need to move.” Nikon kept hold of Reuben’s hand as they hurried away from the building, sticking to the dark. “Police will be here soon.” They slipped between streetlights, moving against the flow of curious bystanders heading toward the commotion.

Red and blue flashing reflections danced across the wet pavement behind them as the two men hustled along, making it two blocks before finding an all-night convenience store.

Nikon pulled Reuben inside, both of them trying to look casual despite their disheveled appearance. “Are you hurt?” He scanned Reuben for injuries, a hand hovering just above his shoulder.

“No.” Reuben’s voice was steady, though his face was pale. “You?”

Nikon shook his head. Only then did he realize he was still gripping Reuben’s hand. He let go reluctantly.

“I need to check if Alexei made it out,” Nikon said, taking out his phone.

Reuben nodded, stepping away to give him privacy. He wandered down an aisle, pretending to browse while keeping watch out the store windows.

Nikon sent a quick text to Stepan, following security protocol. A minute later, his phone buzzed with a response. He read it, relief washing through him at the confirmation that Alexei had escaped through a different exit, though with some injury.

Nikon immediately called Stepan for more details. “How bad is Alexei hurt? Where is he?” he asked as soon as Stepan answered.

“Just a graze to the arm. He’s already bandaged up and moving,” Stepan replied. “Dmitrii’s men are retreating. Police are on scene now. We’ve accounted for all our people except you and Reuben.” He paused. “Leo didn’t make it. He’s the only one we lost.”

Nikon’s jaw tightened at the confirmation. “We’re safe. I’ll call you when we’re secure.”

Nikon hung up, finding Reuben watching him from across the store, a question in his eyes. He nodded once. Reuben’s shoulders eased slightly, though his expression remained somber.

The lone store clerk yawned behind the counter, more interested in his phone than the two disheveled men in his shop. Nikon casually adjusted his jacket to better conceal his holster, then grabbed a bottle of water from a nearby cooler. He gestured with his chin toward the back door, where a flickering exit sign promised a more discreet departure than the front entrance facing the main street.

Reuben understood immediately. He picked up a candy bar and approached the counter, paying with cash and making minimal eye contact with the clerk, who barely looked up from his screen as he made change.

They slipped out of the store’s rear entrance moments later, checking both directions before moving into the dark between the buildings. The distant wail of sirens punctuated the night, but seemed to be receding rather than approaching.

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