Page 96 of Obsessive Vows

"Let him through." My decision surprises even me. "Full surveillance, no blind spots. I want to hear what he says."

Three minutes later, Nikolai stands in our command center, his expensive suit absurdly out of place amid tactical gear and weapons preparation. His security personnel remain outside—not from trust but understanding that any betrayal would result in immediate elimination.

"Viktor." He doesn't bother with pretense, addressing me with a faint smile.

"Why are you here, Nikolai?" No time for games with Anastasia in Markov's hands.

"To offer assistance." His smile fades, expression shifting to something I've never seen from him before—genuine urgency beneath his aristocratic façade. "Markov has your woman. My sources confirm transport to his northern facility."

"And you care because?" Anton interjects, suspicion evident.

"Family." Nikolai's gaze returns to me, something like pride beneath his calm exterior. "The Baranov line was believed eradicated when Mikhail executed your parents, brother, and sister. Your survival—your infiltration of his organization—represents restoration of balance many of us have awaited for years. We are family on your mother’s side. That carries value, cousin."

"’Many of us’?" I study him, weighing sincerity against manipulation.

"The old families remember." He steps closer, voice dropping. "Before Markov's power grab. Before the executions that consolidated his control. Some of us maintained certain... contingency plans. Awaiting opportunity to restore proper hierarchy."

Understanding forms with cold clarity. Not just his claim of numbers but coordinated awareness among certain Bratva sections. Waiting. Watching. Looking for weakness in Markov's seemingly impenetrable empire.

"And Anastasia provided that opportunity." Not a question but an assessment, pieces aligning with terrible accuracy.

"The daughter's betrayal creates legitimacy concerns beyond mere power struggle." Nikolai nods, professional assessment replacing family sentimentality. "Her alignment with Sokolov and Baranov blood—with you—provides justification for intervention by traditional families. For Bratva council oversight beyond Markov's unilateral authority."

"You knew about Sofia." The realization lands with seismic impact, explaining his pointed reference to my "Swiss connections" at the engagement celebration.

"Suspected. Confirmation came later." His expression reveals nothing beyond tactical calculation. "The child represents something beyond revenge, Viktor. A bloodline that unites old power with new. Markov and Baranov legacies combined."

The implications register even as my heart races with more personal urgency. Nikolai offers more than individual assistance—he represents a faction within the Bratva structure waiting for exactly this moment. For a weakness in Mikhail Markov's armor they could exploit without appearing merely opportunistic.

"What exactly are you offering?"

"Thirty men. Elite security with specialized training beyond standard Bratva parameters. Equipment that circumvents Markov's surveillance systems." He extracts an encrypted tablet, displaying schematics I recognize immediately. "And complete architectural plans for the northern facility, including security protocols and access codes updated as of last system verification."

The tactical advantage such intelligence represents cannot be overstated—information that would take hours to extract through standard channels, potentially arriving too late.

"Why would I trust you?" The question emerges with cold calculation despite my desperate need for exactly what he offers.

"I revealed nothing Markov didn't already suspect." Nikolai's smile returns, predatory satisfaction beneath aristocratic polish. "Merely accelerated the timeline to force action before his preparation was complete. Before he could move against the child."

Sofia. The mention of my daughter creates a visceral response beyond tactical calculation. "How do I know this isn't an elaborate trap? Coordination with Markov to eliminate the remaining Baranov threat permanently?"

"Because I want him dead as much as you do." The aristocratic veneer drops completely, revealing rage I recognize from my own mirror—the cold, focused hatred of someone who's planned vengeance for years. "He executed my father alongside yours. Consolidated power through elimination of anyone who remembered proper Bratva hierarchy. The old ways before his American-influenced modernization weakened traditional structures."

The revelation creates unexpected alignment, genuine shared purpose. Blood connection transcending all else.

"Full security protocols on all intelligence before we move out." My decision forms despite emotional complexity. "Your men integrate with our teams under direct command structure. No independent action, no separate communications channels."

"Agreed." Nikolai's immediate acceptance suggests genuine urgency rather than manipulation. "Time is critical. Markov will begin extraction procedures immediately, believing information about your operation remains his primary objective."

Understanding forms with terrible clarity. Not just Anastasia's capture but specialized interrogation designed to extract every detail of our plans. The methodical breakdown of resistance through techniques Mikhail Markov perfected during decades of Bratva dominance.

Forty minutes later, I stand at the perimeter of the northern facility, tactical gear in place as strike teams move into final positions. The nondescript concrete structure belies sophisticated security systems and reinforced architecture designed to prevent exactly the assault we're about to launch.

"Three minutes to synchronized breach." Anton's voice through my comm provides an anchor as my focus narrows to our immediate objective. "Surveillance confirms twenty-seven hostiles with standard Bratva defensive positioning. Markov's personal security detail concentrated in central structure."

"And Anastasia?" The question emerges despite my discipline.

"Heat signature detected in lower level interrogation wing. Two additional signatures consistent with guard posting. Extraction path calculated with 72% success probability based on current intelligence."

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