Page 41 of Demetri
Making our way through the entrance, Jake throws his fist in the air, halting our movements. Looking over his shoulder, he signals, pointing out three men walking the dock about thirty yards ahead. With fluid movements, as if the weapon is an extension of themselves, I watch Logan, Reid, and Quinn raise their rifles and aim. Simultaneously, they pull their triggers. Like domino pieces, the three men fall. Surging forward, we stride past the dead men, blood pooling beneath their bodies as we step over them.
Shots ring out. Bullets hitting boats nearby send us running for shelter. Bullets fly past us as we stay hunched behind several boats. As soon as the spray of gunfire ceases, we act. Jake quickly puts a bullet through the chest of one man before ducking behind another boat. Pushing forward, I catch another fucker aiming at Gabriel, but before he gets a shot off, Gabriel puts a bullet between his eyes. In the distance, I see my boat, then notice it starts to drift away from the pier slowly. I take off running. Bullets whiz by, but I keep going. It is not until I near the end of the dock that I realize Nikolai is right behind me.
"Jump!" he yells, and I push harder, propelling myself off the dock.
My feet hit the deck; hard, causing my body to slam into the lower deck door, and land on my back, causing me to lose my grip on my weapon. As I reach for it, a single bullet whizzes past my head. Craning my neck, I look above me. A short bald motherfucker standing on the flying bridge has me locked in his sights. From the rear of the boat, a shot rings out, and the man above me falls over the side into the water below. When I look back, I spot his killer; Nikolai. Suddenly, a broad guy, with a boxer's build, rushes Nikolai. Grabbing my son's wrist, the man tries to disarm him, violently slamming his body against the railing. Looking around, I spot my weapon. Getting to my feet, I aim for the back of the large man's head. Before I pull the trigger, Nikolai's gun discharges causing the son of a bitch to lose his footing, sending both him and Nikolai over the railing. I rush to the end of the boat, with my heart in my throat.
With one hand gripping the rail, Nikolai pulls himself back onto the boat. The other guy is nowhere to be seen. Blood soaks the front of Nikolai's shirt. He looks down, his hand touching his chest. "It's not mine," he verifies. "I lost my gun." He looks down into the water below.
"Stay close," I tell him knowing he is now unarmed. Turning my attention to the cockpit, I climb the stairs and peer through the glass, finding no one inside. I glance over my shoulder, shaking my head at Nikolai, letting him know, then point to the bow of the boat. Quietly, we make our way around the side.
"Show yourself. I know you're here, Volkov." The cold, detached voice of Vadim stops me in my tracks, causing Nikolai to slam into my back. "I've got a sweet looking redhead standing beside me." His words cut short the moment I hear my feisty woman's voice.
"Fucking touch me again you prick, and I'll rip your dick off then shove it down your throat."
With the revolver held at my side, I appear from the shadows, Nikolai steps out with me.
"Mom?" Nikolai mutters under his breath, as my eyes land on Ivanna, who stands beside Vadim, and my woman near the railing. Vadim is holding a knife to Glory's throat with one hand and a gun pressed against her ribcage with the other. "Nice of you to join us," Vadim sneers, his lips upturned in a sinister smile. In the shadows a few feet from where Vadim stands, I notice Andrei. We make eye contact before my attention shifts back to Glory. Her eyes soften for a moment as I look at her.I'm sorry,she mouths then Vadim jerks her body closer to his, and she continues to struggle with her hands bound behind her back.Now is not the time for her sass.I give her a look, hoping she stops fighting, which she does. My eyes flicker back and forth between Ivanna and Vadim. Like the coward he is, he places Glory in front of himself, using her as a shield.
"Ivanna," I say her name with disdain.
"Demetri," her eyes cut to Nikolai. "Son."
"You lost the right to call me your son a long time ago," Nikolai grinds his teeth as he speaks. The sting of his words causes Ivanna to cast her eyes away, but only for a moment.
"This isn't a Goddamn family reunion." Vadim spits, digging the blade into Glory's flesh, causing her to wince in pain. "I don't know how you got tipped off to my whereabouts, but nevertheless, the outcome is still the same. You are here," Vadim spews.
"What was your endgame, Vadim? Did you think this poorly orchestrated attempt to overthrow me would succeed? Look around you," I raise my arms. "All your men are dead." I aim my weapon at him, waiting for just one good shot. Then look at my ex-wife. "And you," I glare.
"I've moved on to better things. Once you are out of the picture, we will merge the Petrov and Solov families; becoming the most powerful crime family in Russia." Ivanna folds her thin arms across her chest.
"Pathetic." Glory mutters, and Vadim applies more pressure against her neck. A drop of blood slides across the silver surface of the blade, and I lurch forward. Suddenly, Vadim points his gun at Nikolai.
"You take another step, and I'll not only slash her throat, but I'll put a bullet in your son's head." I freeze. "Come to think of it," Vadim cocks his head. "I think you should watch him die first." Turning his head, Vadim orders Andrei. "Don't just stand there. Kill him."
"Wait!" Ivanna turns and faces Vadim. "That was not part of the plan."
"Fuck the plan. I can't have any Volkov standing in my way." Vadim's grip tightens on his gun. His man standing to my right makes a slight move. The large man holsters the weapon he was holding and bows his head.
"It was I who called Volkov," Andrei confesses.
Vadim sneers. His eyes become wild with rage as he shuffles backward, pulling Glory with him. "You'll not live to see another sunrise," he warns Andrei.
Andrei lifts his head. "This is no longer my fight. I am and will always remain loyal to the family, but I will not play a part in the destruction of the empire your father built." Turning his back on his boss, Andrei walks toward the end of the boat.
"Looks like I have to take matters into my own hands." Vadim cocks his gun.
"He's my son!" Ivanna pleads. "Vadim. Please." Vadim pulls the trigger and Ivanna steps in the line of fire. The bullet meant for Nikolai rips through her chest, sending her body backward.
"Stupid woman!" Vadim yells as I step in front of my son, who kneels at his mother's side. Vadim points his gun at me. Both of us at a standoff.
Nikolai doesn't speak as he looks upon his mother. She palms his cheek. "I'm sorry, Nikolai." Ivanna coughs, as blood flows from her mouth and seeps from the wound in her chest.
The boat veers to the left, and I realize Andrei must be operating the wheel, taking us back toward the marina. "You're all out of options here, Vadim." I take a step closer in his direction. "Let her go." He looks from side to side, clearly seeing he has nowhere to run.
"Okay, Volkov." The tone of his voice changes from determination to that of a man who has nothing left to lose. "I'll let her go." I see it before it happens. As soon as he pushes Glory, I take the shot. Pulling the trigger, I empty my revolver into his chest as I watch my woman fall over the edge of the railing.
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