Page 36 of Scarlet Secrets

“Too much.”

“So it could be a shakedown for his next few fixes, then.” I hand him back the tablet. What I want is to smash the whiskey bottle. Break something large. Destroy half the fucking planet.

I breathe in, lean against my desk and fold my arms. “Thoughts?”

“Frankie’s unreliable enough. But do we really want to dismiss this and risk not following up?”

“Let’s go, then.”

“Like there would have been another choice.”

I get my gun and load it. “None at fucking all.”

We drivea small convoy that’s deadlier than most. We hit the outskirts of town and pull up a healthy distance from the old warehouse.

The area’s full of them, most of them falling down, derelict. Except one.

It’s in better condition than most and while I don’t see any cars, there are tracks in the dirt that cover the asphalt.

Ilya hands me an extra weapon and extra rounds. I thank him as my men wait for a signal. While we wait to see if there’s any movement, I say, “Thoughts?”

“If this were me, and I had a big name, big reputation, and a whole lot of power, or even if I didn’t, I’d choose this place if I wanted to hurt you.”

I nod. “Why?”

“It’s a no-man’s-land and thus harder to pin on any faction.”

I smile grimly. “Do it on your own territory and you can still cry that you didn’t know.”

“But you seem weak. This way…?”

“I’m betting she’s here.”

Silence falls. We don’t see anyone, but then there’s a sound, like a raised voice, suddenly shut down. Male, not my sister.

Ilya’s fingers flex to the door, something I ache to do, but I’m waiting for the scout’s report.

In the silence of the car, Ilya’s earpiece crackles, and I hear the voice of Stefan. “Not sure how many. Four hidden cars. About six men, I can see. No sign of Angel.”

Angel. The code for Alina. Dad’s code.

Ilya picks up his phone and meets my eye, then sends the message.

I feel nothing. It floods like cold water into every pore. And I’m more than grateful for it. Time enough to rage. But I need to be nothing more than death and destruction.

Almost at once, his phone goes off with a barrage of signals. Everyone’s ready.

Good.

“Time to fucking roll.” Strike first, ask questions later. If anyone lives. My sister is the first and only concern.

I reach for the door when Ilya puts his hand on my arm.

“Boss, if she’s there, maybe I should?—”

“Don’t finish that,” I say quietly.

We get out, and Ilya leads the way, just in front of me. I know what he’s doing. He’ll die for me, but I’m no coward and the moment we step in, we’re fury from the fucking gods.

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