Page 64 of Den of Thieves

“We have an idea,” Nikolai said, grimly.

“Remember Mikhail Sidorov?”

“Da.” Vladimir growled, remembering the spinless prick that tried to kill him and shot his mentor Ivanov instead.

“Ludchek is Mikhail’s stepbrother.”

“You are sure?” Vladimir’s eyebrows rose.

“I know. It is not something that is common knowledge. I am remembering now because Ludchek had some type of fishing company and didn’t want to be associated with the Bratva.”

“So this was revenge for his brother?”

Nikolai picked up Ludchek’s and used the corpse’s fingerprint to unlock it. “Seems that way. Fuck! He knew Simon!”

“Once he couldn’t get to Karina or the children, he decided to go through with the next phase of his plan. Dismantling the Bratva from the inside out.” Vladimir theorized, wrapping his arms tighter around his wife.

“That and from the looks of these threatening texts, Ludchek owed a lot of people a lot of money.” Nikolai’s frown deepened.

“Find out if Ludchek or Sidorov have any family left.”

“Ludchek has a son, Nikita. But that all I see for now.”

“Dig harder. Flip over every leaf of his fucking family tree. We will interrogate everyone before we rid this earth of that scum filled bloodline. I want a public execution. Many lost their lives today and those the Ludcheks hold dear will pay. I want every last one of them hanging from the gallows by the end of tomorrow!”

“We have one of those?” Nikolai asked. Vladimir wanted to throttle him. This was not the time for jokes. Sensing his mood, he backed off. “If I can’t find it, I am sure we can build one.” With that, his cousin spun on his heel and left.

The electricity buzzed back on as Vladimir, Karina, Renee, and Kida made their way downstairs and into a waiting van, most likely handled by Nikolai. At least he was good for something, he thought, helping Karina inside and climbing in behind her.

“Dimitri!” Karina gasped. He had a cut on his forehead that was still actively bleeding. He didn’t look any worse for wear.

“It looks worse than it is,” he clipped. Vladimir was glad to see that he wasn’t the only one pissed that the women escaped.

Dimitri looked at him briefly and frowned. “Everyone is making their way back to the compound to debrief.”

Vladimir waved a tired hand in the air. “It can wait until tomorrow. Let them get patched up and get some rest. We cut the head off the snake. The rest will bury their heads in the ground until it is safe to come out.”

23. “I Bet the Neighbors Know My Name,”

-TREY SONGZ

“You’re too kind. If I’m not mistaken, our daughters are about the same age.”

“Oh, that’s right! Here’s my number. I’ll have to call you with details about the elite boarding school I headhunted for the children in Switzerland. The Institut auf Wilhelm has the best of everything, security, education, food. Did I mention security?”

Kida looked between the two of them like they grew another set of heads. “Women.” He muttered, turned away as they delved deeper into happy topics.

“Solynchnka!” Vladimir roared from their second story landing. Renee and Kida jumped in surprise but Karina only shook her head.

“That’s my cue. I have a grumpy bear to look after, but you two are welcome to stay as long as you like. I’m sure there will be weeks of celebrating once everyone gets sewn up.” She laughed as she bounded up the stairs. Vladimir tossed her over his shoulder, nodded at Kida and stormed to their wing of the house.

He sat her on her feet inside their room and closed the door. Karina barely had a moment to catch her breath before Vladimir was on her like white on rice.

Thanks to Kida’s warning, she wasn’t shocked at his eagerness or the rough way he tore her clothes from her body. Karina matched his passion. Slipping his belt from his pants with ease, before palming his harness with an enthusiastic squeeze.

A knock sounded on the door, but Vladimir ignored it.

“Vlad, maybe it’s important.” Karina chuckled as he kissed his way down her neck.

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