Page 7 of Nikolai

"Everything in place?"I ask Maxim from our current position, just outside the perimeters of Novikoff's central warehouse, located in a town three hours south of my family's controlled territory. The entire area is desolate. The condition has made it a perfect breeding ground for Novikoff and his men to operate without any interference from authorities. The vile things that go on here are largely ignored. It's more or less a dumping ground for the underbelly of society.

"The explosives are in position and ready to be detonated when you give the word," Maxim states.

It took a few days for my men to get in and out undetected to set the charges, due to the increased amount of activity. Novikoff caught wind that our family would not turn a blind eye to his thievery like so many others have. His threats against those who would stand against him or in his way mean nothing to my family. This was his first offense against us since severing ties a few years ago. Destroying his most massive warehouse, which happens to be the base of his operation, will serve as a warning—to back off. He will lose many of his men today, as well. A price he must pay for his disrespect. "Any word on his whereabouts?" I ask as I stand outside the SUV that drove me here.

"He is out of the country, relaxing at his vacation home near Pylos," Maxim confirms.

"Light it up." I give the command, and Maxim speaks into his two-way radio. Within seconds the bombs detonate, causing the earth below our feet to tremble from the blast. Another explosion erupts with a loud clap, and orange flames billow outward. The sounds of steel splintering and windows shattering can be heard as a large section of the building's structure collapses. Even as I stand here, a safe distance away, I can feel waves of heat rolling off the blaze on my exposed skin, watching Novikoff's warehouse burn.

Satisfied, I turn to the vehicle. "Send word to Novikoff. Inform him the next time he disrespects the family again; he will pay with his life."

4

Leah

Afew days after Sam and I left our apartment behind, I am sitting on one of the two full-sized beds in the hotel room, watching TV when he walks in carrying several grocery bags. Climbing to my feet, I shuffle across the room to help as he sets the bags down on the small table in front of the window. "You're only going to be gone one day, Sam. I don't need this much food."

He smiles. "I brought you more than food." Opening one bag, he pulls out a packaged Kindle. "I know how much you've been missing your books and TV is not your thing."

He's right. I usually read from my phone, but Sam made me leave it behind at the apartment when we left. He didn't want my father to trace where I am.

"You shouldn't have spent your money on me. You've done so much already. You're paying for the hotel and all our food."

Sam shakes his head, cutting me off. "Zip it. You're my friend, Leah. I want to help. Just like I want you to accept the gift." He holds the package out to me, his eyes daring me to say no. Finally, I relent and take his offering.

While unloading the groceries and placing some of the items in the mini-fridge, Sam changes the subject. "You sure you don't want to come with me to Polson? It's only one day, but we can make a weekend out of it."

"I'm sure. Alba has enough on her plate. I don't want her to see me like this and ask questions. It will upset her."

"She's your friend, Leah. She'd want to know what's going on. She'll be pissed at us for hiding it."

"I can't, Sam. Not yet, anyway."

He sighs. "Okay. I get it."

This time I am the one to change the subject. "Did you hear back about the apartment?"

"Yeah, but I'm having second thoughts about it. I think we should move out of Bozeman."

"But your job is here."

"I can drive back and forth or get another job."

"Sam…"

"Not going to hear it, sweetheart. We already talked about this. Stop worrying about me. Making sure you're safe is what's important."

Looking down at my feet, I sigh. I hate feeling like I'm a burden. Sam has completely uprooted his life for me.

"Hey." Sam stops what he's doing, his stern tone catching my attention. "Stop whatever it is your thinking." He strides toward me and opens his arms. "Come here."

I take his offered hug. "I'm sorry," I croak.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. We're going to figure this shit out together."

Later that night,I toss and turn in bed. Sam left for Polson hours ago, and I'm starting to regret my decision to stay behind. I don't do well with being alone. Since Sam and I have been staying in the hotel, I lay awake most nights, terrified my dad will find me, even though Sam assures me I'm safe. I left my cell phone and my car behind. I also haven't stepped a single foot outside the hotel room since we checked in. My father knows about Sam. What if he had someone follow him here?

The ringing of the hotel phone brings me out of my wandering thoughts, and I nearly jump out of my skin. Reaching over, I pick it up and answer. "Hello?"

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