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Next to him was his cousin, Igor. The idiot looked around before lifting his head for a quick moment. That gave me all the verification that I needed to know it was him. Igor was always right by hisPakhan’sside, doting on him like some sort of lowly servant, rather than as his Bratva brother.

The abandoned building that they were approaching was probably a receiving station for his arms from Lebanon. I wasn’t sure if there were more Bratva men inside handling the shipments since Mikhail seemed to think that none of the other Brothers knew about Leonid’s hoarding. If they ever found out about his little scheme to keep money from the rest of them, they would have his head.

“Target in range. I repeat. Target in range,” Dimitri’s steady voice crackled through the line. He had done this many of times before, so he had enough practice keeping his nerves in check. I, however, was ready to crack. My heart stopped as I watched Leonid moved within the red circle on the monitor. I waited to execute my command. I wanted him dead center in that target.

Zayn covered his mouthpiece to keep from distracting Dimitri on the other end. “Jai? What are you waiting for? Give the order!”

I raised my hand to quiet him. “I want him dead center.”

“He’ll leave if you wait any longer. Do it now!” The panic in his voice unnerved me because it was exactly how I felt inside.

The back of my neck was coated in sweat, causing the collar of my shirt to rub uncomfortably against my skin. I pulled on the fabric to ease the feeling of claustrophobia I felt.

“Nowis the time, boys,” Dimitri said impatiently.

Staring at my screen, I prayed that he moved more to the right so the shot would be dead on. I had faith in Dimitri’s skills, but this was on my order. I needed this asshole dead, and I would be the one calling the shot.

I gripped the edge of my desk as he halted off-center of the target.Was he going to leave?This couldn’t be happening!

Zayn gasped quietly, his thoughts most likely mirroring mine. I’d have to explain to my brother across from me how I had managed to fuck this up in a minute. My gut churned, causing bile to rise up my throat.

Suddenly, by the grace of God, the Devil, or whatever forces were watching over me right now, Leonid moved to the right and was perfectly centered. My heart lurched in my chest.

“NOW!” I shouted to Zayn.

“Fire. I repeat. Fire!” he ordered clearly into his mouthpiece.

The figure dropped to the ground immediately. Dimitri’s shot was precise and killed Leonid on contact.

I stood up in my seat, watching as Igor ran into the warehouse, probably to get help. Leonid’s body lay lifeless on the ground, dark gray liquid streaming out of his chest on the monitor.

“Fuck,” Zayn whispered.

I banged my hands on my desk. “We did it!”

Exhaling the breath that I had been holding in for what felt like hours, I felt my shoulders relax. The burden I had borne was over.

“Jesus.” Zayn’s lips formed a smile. He was in disbelief, just like I was.

I collapsed into my chair, letting relief take hold of my body.

My laptop binged with an email. All the calm I felt once again disappeared and my body stiffened. I read the single-lined message as dread crept over my skin.

Nice try, motherfucker. –L

Chapter XVIII

Claire

Ientered the security code to the penthouse and let myself in. All the lights were off, except for the one hanging over the entryway. Jai must have dismissed his staff for the evening, especially since it was late.

I had gotten to know most of his staff since I had been spending more time here. The maids welcomed me warmly whenever I arrived and the chef always made sure to prod me for any special requests for dinner—though I barely had any time to eat when I came over, since most of my time was spent in bed, legs wrapped around their boss.

No one seemed to judge me for coming in the evening and leaving early in the morning, though it could seem scandalous to some. The only person who would raise her eyebrow at me was his catty maid, though I hadn’t seen her at all lately. I made a mental note to pursue my curiosity about her whereabouts later. Maybe I’d casually ask another maid when I got the chance.

“Jai?” I called out. I shuffled through the empty main areas, feeling my way to the second-floor hallway that led to his room. His place was always in pristine condition, with nothing ever out of place, but I was still paranoid I’d stub my toe on the corner of a piece of furniture since I still hadn’t committed every detail of this new environment to memory.

“Jai?” I called out again as I neared his bedroom door. The lack of response was unusual. He had always dropped whatever he was doing to greet me before.

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