Page 179 of Silenced

The image of that will live with me until the day I fucking die.

A bullet speared him in the chest, blood spurting and soaring from the intensity, while another got him in the gut.

The gunfight was tough to watch, but it was seeing my boy, mykid,hide his agony, plow on through the pain and what had to be a sense of hopelessness that was worse.

My son—the fighter.

When Dmitri had gone for his gun, even managing to let off a bullet that hit one of the bastards in the shoulder, the other asshole pistol-whipped him.

As Dmitri sagged into unconsciousness, they’d found the strongbox behind the desk.

Another piece of shit had come in to help and within ten minutes, the safe had been removed and B4K was on their way.

Brigadiers have been in turf wars all night.

Miami is burning. I can see it from this distance despite the city being under lockdown.

But no fires blaze here.

Until now, we’ve had an accord—homes are off-limits.

Yet, as those images flicker on repeat behind my eyes, any accord between us is broken.

First, Pavel.

Now, Dmitri.

The likely progression is that B4K will target Cassiopeia next seeing as it’s an open rodeo on the people I fucking care about.

I can feel the nerves in my face twitching as my brain tries and fails to deal with the emotions I’m experiencing.

Mostly, it’s shame. Guilt.

I should have done this sooner.

Back a mortally wounded animal into a corner and it’ll bite.

Shoot it in the head, the risk is gone…

“You’re sure they’re here?”

Igor grunts. “The police escorted them from the ER after Karl blew their HQ up. Linton’s got minor burns. Couple had to stay in the hospital overnight.”

“The cops are dirty?” Misha demands.

Igor shrugs. “Ivan was watching and got their badge numbers. Not a priority tonight.”

He’s right. But still, we need to know how many—

“How many of the upper rankers are here?” Misha asks, the question so reminiscent of Dmitri that it’s like a knife to the gut.

Before Dmitri, Misha used to interpret for me.

Fuck.

My boy.

My fucking boy.

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