Page 55 of Deadly Legacy
“Unlike you,” Grigorii’s mouth twitched in a rare smile, “I know how to solve problems without making the evening news.”
Nikon turned to the surveillance hub screen. “What have they been watching?”
“Reuben, mostly.” Alexei pulled up dozens of photos; Reuben entering Matthew Capital, meeting investors, walking to his car.
“They’ve been tracking him for weeks,” Nikon said, his voice tight.
“And planning to grab him tomorrow,” Alexei added, opening a document with a timeline. “They’ve got three different scenarios mapped out based on his possible movements. They’re ready to strike as soon as an opportunity presents itself.”
“Stepan.” Nikon’s head of security materialized at his side. “Triple Reuben’s security detail. Use our best people.”
“Already done, Sir.” Stepan confirmed. “Team deployed twenty minutes ago.”
“Then we move tomorrow at dawn,” Grigorii declared. “Hit all three locations simultaneously.”
“Wait.” Andrey’s voice cut through the air. “There’s something else you need to know.”
The brothers turned to him.
“Dmitrii isn’t staying at any of those safe houses,” Andrey said quietly. “He has a fourth location only he and his bodyguard know about.”
The room went silent. Nikon approached him slowly. “Where?”
“The old boat yard by the river. Underground bunker beneath the east warehouse. Entry behind the filing cabinet in the manager’s office.”
“How do you know this?” Grigorii demanded.
“He showed me once,” Andrey admitted, looking away. “When he was drunk. Said it was where he’d keep Reuben after taking him.”
Nikon’s phone vibrated with a message from Reuben:
Finalized the Quantize Guard deal! Coming home early. Tell your security team they stick out like sore thumbs.
“Your call,” Grigorii said to Nikon. “Do we trust him?”
Alexei glanced between his brothers. “Everything Andrey’s told us checks out so far.”
“I just want my ticket to Moscow,” Andrey said, almost whispering. “After that, I’m gone.”
Nikon studied his brother, his military training kicking in as he assessed the tactical risk. Andrey was weak, desperate... but desperation could make men dangerous. Still, everything he’d provided so far had checked out.
Nikon exchanged a long look with Grigorii, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. If Reuben were here, he’d be able to read every nuance in Andrey’s body language. But this wasn’t about truth or deception anymore; it was about tactical advantage.
“We prepare a team,” Nikon told Stepan. “And hit the boat yard tonight. The other locations too.”
“Should we inform Reuben, sir?” Stepan asked.
Nikon considered how to respond. Eight months ago, he would have made decisions without consulting Reuben. Six months ago, he’d have issued orders. Three months ago, he’d have demanded Reuben come to the compound.
Nikon glanced down at Reuben’s text again, then typed a response on his phone:
Dmitrii’s planning something. Extra security team en route. They’ll maintain distance per your protocols.
Chapter 17
“Three teams. Four targets. One shot.” Nikon dragged his finger across each monitor, leaving smudges on the glass. “Dmitrii breathes his last today.”
The command center, a windowless room beneath Nikon’s casino’s floor, hummed with quiet tension. Men with hard faces and cold eyes checked weapons wrapped in cloth, not military-issue but personal arsenals.
