Page 91 of Preacher

Every corner.

Every window.

Every exit was under watchful eye.

We were ready. I just had to pretend I wasn’t terrified.

But I was. I was so scared I could barely breathe, but I put on my dress and makeup. I fixed my hair and put on my jewelry. I looked like I was ready for an old family dinner, instead of preparing to face a monster.

By the time I made it back downstairs, Hudson and Sergei were in the foyer with Grim and Nikolai. They were talking quietly, and as I got closer, I heard Nikolai say, “I don’t want her to do this. I can answer the damn door.”

“I don’t like this either,” Sergei agreed. “But this is the best way.”

“But why is this the best way? Why does it matter who opens the goddamn door?” Nikolai snapped. “He could have a gun or…”

“It will be fine,” I interrupted. “I appreciate your concern, sweetheart, but I can do this. It’s best if he sees me. He will feel less threatened, and hopefully that will make it easier to draw him in. And you will be close by to help if I need it.”

“Yes, but I don’t like it. I don’t like any of it.”

“None of us do, but it will be over soon. We just have to get through this next bit, and…”

Before I could finish my thought, there was a knock at the door. Sergei’s back stiffened which threw my nerves into overdrive. I stood back and watched as he and Viktor went over and answered the door. Seconds later, Leonid Sokolov entered the house.

He was nothing like what I’d expected.

He didn’t come in weapons drawn or surrounded by a brigade of guards. He was a simple man of average height with a bland grey suit, brown hair, and hazel eyes. He wasn’t big or tall. He didn’t have menacing eyes or a fierce presence. But I’d learned early on that men like him were the most dangerous. With a snap of their fingers, you would be done, and they had the means to make it happen.

He certainly did.

He had two guards who stood at either side. They wore black suits and were the size of linebackers. They didn’t speak. They just glared ahead, cold and silent. We didn’t bother taking them to the office. Sokolov wasn’t a man who wasted time. He wanted the original files, and Sergei gave them to him.

Hudson stood back and watched as Sergei did most of the talking. He gave him a moment to review everything they’d discovered, then said, “I can show you where the files were recovered and how.”

“No, I’ve seen enough.” Sokolov shook his head and said, “This is not the first I’ve heard of his indiscretions. But it’s the first with proof.”

“What do you need us to do?”

“You will do nothing,” he answered firmly. “Not unless you want his blood on your hands when we’re already watching.”

“You’re saying Vasili’s already under investigation?” Sergei pressed.

“Yes, for quite some time.” Sokolov gave a slow nod of his head. “You just gave us the final nail. Ded will be appreciative of your efforts, even with your selfish intent.”

Mikhail Antonov, or Ded Mikhailto those who feared and respected him, was the Bratva leader. He gave the final say on everything, so I wasn’t surprised when Sokolov mentioned his name. I had no doubt that he knew all about Vasili and what he had been up to.

“What happens now?”

“Vasili will be removed, and you will carry on with your endeavors.”

“And Ded and the rest of the family?”

“The family does not approve of you parting ways, but we are willing to give you some leniency.”

“Leniency?”

“We won’t come for your head, but possibly ten percent of your casino profits. I think that would suffice. What about you?”

“Five percent would be better, but I’m willing to discuss.”

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