Page 88 of A Silent Reckoning

She nodded, her hand automatically slipping into her purse as though feeling for it to make sure it was still there. She came from a background of shady politicians and Italian mafia. She likely never left home without a weapon, having been born and raised to expect a threat.

“Give it to me.” Nikolay reached a hand out to her. “I want to make sure it’s loaded in case we run into trouble getting you out of the building.”

“Of course it’s loaded.” She frowned, but reached into the bag, pulling her pistol out.

It was small, mostly decorative, but it would get the job done.

Nikolay opened the gun and checked. Loaded.

He turned on his heel and pointed it at Halil.

Halil looked up, his eyes widening in surprise before Nikolay put a bullet in his head.

Pain pierced Nikolay as the body of his best friend hit the floor. He barely noticed Giselle’s scream of surprise and fear as he was forced to face everything he’d just sacrificed. Halil had been his confidant, listening without judging, his softer personality more compassionate than most of the men on their team. No more boisterous laughter. No more video games and pizza Saturday nights. No more women sharing. Gone in the blink of a bullet. Betrayed by the one man he probably trusted most.

Giselle was still standing next to him, her shrieks bouncing off the walls.

He looked at her. “Run, Giselle.”

She didn’t need to be told again. She hurtled toward the apartment door and fumbled with the lock Nikolay had engaged.

He strode to Halil’s body and picked up the gun he’d watched the other man load seconds before he was killed.

Nikolay straightened and just as Giselle was about to open the door, he shot her in the head. She hit the door face first and slid to the floor, the back of her blonde head a mess of blood, bone and brain. Halil’s gun made a much better kill than hers had.

He walked to the door, kicking Giselle’s body aside, and jerking it open.

Nikolay took a deep breath and muttered to himself, “You are in control. The rewards will go to the victor.”

He ran toward the stairs. He would make his way down a floor and take out anyone else in his way. He would secure the floor for Krystoff’s men.

Chapter Forty-Three

“We have to go,” Terek said, pacing the room, his eyes on his phone. “Intel coming in from our guys indicate there was an explosion at the hospital. Must be Krystoff, putting the hospital in lockdown so he can leave and keep Dasha protected.”

Jozef nodded at his team member. Terek’s orders were to help protect Shaun and Fatima while Havel secured the building with the rest of the men.

Krystoff was thinking on his feet, which meant Jozef needed to be two steps ahead.

He pointed at Fatima and signed,take her to her apartment and get her packed. You have five minutes. I’ll meet you in the lobby.

Terek jerked his head toward the door. “Time to go, Mrs. Patterson.”

She looked up from her position next to Shaun who was sound asleep on the couch. “But…”

“No buts.” Terek took her arm and pulled her to her feet, escorting her to the door. Jozef was pleased that Terek was being gentle. The younger man had a mother that he loved and respected; Jozef had no problem trusting him with Shaun’s mother.

“Keep my daughter safe,” she shouted back at Jozef.

“You’ll get to see her in just a few minutes, Mrs. Patterson,” Terek assured her, hustling her toward the stairs that would take them down a level to her apartment.

Jozef ran to the bedroom, his eyes grazing Shaun as he passed her. He flung his travel bag on the bed and started packing for her. He wasn’t sure how long she would be hiding out at the safe house, but it wasn’t well equipped for women. He grabbed a few outfits that looked comfortable, some socks and underwear, her shampoo and conditioner.

Then he looked under the sink and saw her feminine hygiene products. Would she need them? When was the last time she had her period? He couldn’t remember. How much would she need? He had no answers to any of these questions and it frustrated him. He should know everything about her if he was to take care of her properly.

He grabbed everything he saw that might be related to her period and shoved them in the bag.

He zipped it and ran back into the living room.

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