Page 77 of Never Distract a Biker

"Da, twins." I keep my gaze steady on him, seeing the shift. His stubborn determination to punish me for rejecting his daughter is melting away. "They will be Makarovs, Thiago. You understand what that means. Your friend, my father will have his legacy carried on."

He leans back in his chair, arms crossed, the skepticism in his eyes ebbing like the tide. A deep breath fills his chest, then he slowly exhales. "You always did have a way with words, Viktor."

"Only when necessary," I concede, allowing a flicker of amity to show.

"Fine," Thiago finally murmurs, almost to himself. We both know the stakes now; they're higher, personal. He uncrosses his arms, a sign of yielding. "I'll help you—but remember this favor."

"Understood," I nod, sealing the unspoken pact between us. There's no joy in this alliance, only necessity. But for Scarlett, for our unborn children, I'd broker a thousand truces with the devil himself.

"Let's get to work, then," Thiago says.

He pulls out a file from under the mahogany desk and slides it to me. Information came to me that there is a new Russian family acquiring properties, and as you know, I always make it my business to know what is happening in this city.

“Let me guess, you had him investigated.”

Thiago nods, "Vovka's got a new place I think he will be holding your lady," he says, and I lean forward. It's a lifeline thrown across the ocean of my desperation.

"Where?"

"Near the port of New York. A warehouse, heavily guarded, off the books." His eyes narrow. "I trust you understand the significance."

"Of course." My heart pounds—a lead, solid and promising. "Spasibo,Thiago." Gratitude is a rare taste on my tongue, but it's there, and it’s genuine for once.

As I stand to go, Thiago hands me an offer that is completely out of character for him. “Some of my men will come with you.”

“What! Why?”

“Because this is a dangerous operation, and the more men you have with you the better the chances of you coming out alive.”

“And?” Something about his show of kindness sounds off.

“And, I’d rather have an ally running the strongest Russian Bratva than an enemy.”

Ah, so it is personal interest then.

“Alright,” I accept. After all, I trained most of the top guys in Thiago’s service.

"Remember the debt."

"Always."

Port of New York, here I come.

As the skyline blurs past, I think of Scarlett, her sweet defiance, the fire in her eyes. My twins snuggling in her womb, and I know I'll tear down empires for them, starting with Vovka's stronghold.

"Get ready, Vovka Sidorov," I whisper like a predator scenting blood. "I'm coming."

The salty air bites at my face as I step into the dock, scanning the shadowy expanse ahead. Lev and Zasha have received my message and are waiting for me, flanked by some of their most loyal men, their expressions grim. Lev nods in greeting, his usual smirk absent.

“We’ve scouted the area,” Lev begins, his voice low but firm. “Vovka’s warehouse is up ahead and it is well guarded. However, there’s a back entry that is less guarded. We can easily take out the men there without anyone noticing.”

I glance toward the hulking structure in the distance, its silhouette looming against the faint glow of the moon. “We stick to the plan,” I say, my voice cold with resolve. “You”—I nod toward Thiago’s men—“Stay low and keep watch. Make sure to follow Zasha’s instructions. Lev, you’re with me.”

Lev falls in step beside me as we move toward the warehouse, two of his men in tow. The gravel crunches softly beneath our boots, the only sound in the tense quiet. We make our way toward the back door, but two men ask us to stop or they’ll shoot. We stop and raise our hands so that they can see that we are unarmed.

Their foolish mistake.

As soon as they reach us, we unarm and wring their necks. The satisfying sound of their snapping neck does nothing to cool my bloodlust. When we reach the back entry, the iron door comes into view, its rusted surface glinting faintly under a distant floodlight. I tug at the handle, testing its weight. It doesn’t budge. Bolted from the inside.

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