Page 58 of Deadly Legacy
He watched Dmitrii’s smile turn sharp, switching strategies when the first attempt failed. “What about Andrey? Your own brother? The one you threw away?”
Nikon recognized the distraction tactic for what it was. “We’re not here about Andrey.”
“Hit a nerve?” Dmitrii’s smile was sharp. “Speaking of your precious brother, he slipped his leash. One minute he was there, next the dog was gone.” His face contorted with genuine anger. “Should’ve kept him chained.”
The bodyguard’s eyes darted between them, calculating his odds. “Mr. Miroslav, please. No one’s coming. It’s over.”
Rage twisted Dmitrii’s features. In a fluid motion, he drew his gun and fired at his own bodyguard. The shot went wide, shattering a monitor.
Before anyone could react, Dmitrii slammed through the steel door behind him. The clang of his footsteps echoed from the metal staircase beyond.
“Secure him.” Nikon nodded toward the wounded bodyguard before following Dmitrii through the door.
The stairwell stank of cold metal and fear. Dmitrii’s footsteps pounded upward, his labored breathing bouncing off the concrete walls.
Nikon ascended steadily, gun ready. No need to rush. The stairs only led one way.
“It’s over, Dmitrii. Your network is gone. Your protection is gone.”
“Nothing’s over while I’m breathing!” Dmitrii’s voice echoed. Another shot rang out, the bullet ricocheting dangerously. Nikon ducked, continuing his pursuit.
At the third landing, Dmitrii stood cornered. His gun raised, pointed at Nikon’s chest. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his composure shattered.
“All my life, I fought for everything.” Dmitrii’s chest heaved, spittle flying from his lips. “While you had brothers, loyalty, everything handed to you on a silver platter. Then I build something—something real—and you want it destroyed because I dared to reach for your level.”
“You targeted Reuben.” Nikon’s voice was ice, throat tight with rage. “You made it personal.”
“You should thank me.” A wild smile spread across Dmitrii’s face, eyes gleaming with a hint of madness. “I showed you your soft underbelly. The great Nikon Matvei, undone by a pretty face and a smart mouth. You think you’re invincible with him? He’s your greatest weakness. I just needed to prove it.”
His finger tightened on the trigger. Nikon lunged forward as the shot cracked through the stairwell. Pain seared across his arm as they collided. The gun clattered down the stairs.
They grappled on the landing, each movement fueled by rage. Dmitrii fought with unexpected strength, landing a solid punch to Nikon’s jaw. The taste of copper filled Nikon’s mouth.
Dmitrii stumbled backward, reaching for something at his ankle. The glint of a blade flashed between them. Nikon blocked the thrust, seizing Dmitrii’s wrist. They crashed against the railing, metal groaning under their combined weight.
“I should have killed you years ago.” Dmitrii hissed through clenched teeth.
“You never had the strength to face me directly.” Nikon twisted Dmitrii’s arm, forcing the knife from his grasp.
The railing gave way with a sickening crack. Dmitrii’s eyes widened as his balance failed. His hand shot out, clutching Nikon’s sleeve in desperation. For a heartbeat, they were suspended... enemies linked by circumstance and hatred.
Nikon looked into Dmitrii’s eyes, then deliberately opened his fingers, releasing the fabric in his grip. Dmitrii plummeted down the concrete stairwell, his scream echoing off the walls until it ended with a distant thud three floors below.
Silence filled the space.
Nikon stood motionless at the railing, staring down at the crumpled form lying broken on the landing.
Done.
Stepan appeared a heartbeat later at the stairwell entrance, gun drawn. His eyes moved from Dmitrii’s body to Nikon.
“It’s finished,” Nikon said.
Stepan holstered his weapon, looking down at Dmitrii’s body. “What are your instructions for disposing of him?”
Nikon pressed his hand against the bullet graze on his arm. “Take Dmitrii to the meeting location we discussed. Stage it like a deal gone wrong.”
The radio crackled. “All properties secure. No survivors. No witnesses.”
