Page 88 of Ruinous Need
The place was designed to intimidate. The spires are tall and spiky with massive stained glass windows in deep crimson and royal blue. The stone is dark and thick, like it’s survived for centuries. I can smell the incense from here.
The bells are ringing, signaling that there’s a wedding about to take place. A long procession of people is headed inside. That means we’re here just in time.
I’ve had no time to arrange more backup, no time to see whether Markov is still around or even alive.
I’m going into this alone. But I’m banking on the fact that we had recruited some support for overthrowing Semyon. If half of the wedding guests secretly supported me then, maybe they’ll make themselves known.
Logically, I know this is an uphill battle. I’m attempting the impossible here: stealing the Pakhan’s fiancée in front of a church packed full of the New York Bratva. Their wedding outfits may be easy on the eyes, but every man in that church will be armed to the teeth, and half the women as well.
My only edge is that everyone believes I’m dead.
I’m entering a den of vipers and trying to steal their prey. But it’s the only way.
Once the last stragglers have made their way into the church, I throw open the door of the car, ignoring the ache in my muscles as I stand up.After weeks of hard labor, sitting still for a few hours has left me sore.
Leon, the guard who agreed to help me get here, is close behind. I still don’t know whether to trust the guy, but at the moment, he’s the only person on my side. Or at least pretending to be.
The second we emerge, a bullet pings off the car behind me. Like they’ve been waiting for us.
We don’t have the element of surprise.
I use the door as a shield and yell at Leon. “Those your friends?”
“I didn’t sell you out. You were next to me in the plane the whole time.”
That’s true. I relax with a deep breath and try to follow the loose plan I’ve arranged in my head.
If I make it to the steps of the church, I’ll be completely exposed. I turn around and try to see who has shot at us, but there’s nothing to see. Must be a sniper.
I think the only way I make it to those steps is by blind luck. I grab Leon by the elbow. “Cover my back,” I tell him.
Then I sprint towards the steps. I pound the pavement in a mad rush with one goal in mind.
However much my muscles protest at the sudden movement, I keep running.
“Duck,” Leon yells in Russian, and I don’t have time to second guess him.
I dive at the steps of the church, landing hard, half a second before a bullet thuds into the door of the church. Pain explodes in my right knee.
There’s a murmur from inside the church that’s audible even out here.
I stand up and dust myself off, ignoring the weakness where my knee connected with the stone. The pain throbs up my leg, but I will myself not to limp.
Leon nods at me. “I’ve got it out here.”
The crack of the gunshot was my entrance cue.
I push open the double doors and the room echoes with the sound. But I can’t pause. I keep going, taking advantage of the split second of surprise I have right now.
The place is packed, and every face in the room is turned towards me. Except the one I want to see.
There is mass confusion in the church as I run down the aisle, my gun in front of me.
Chaos runs free.
Shouts of greeting. Curses on my name. Gunshots. After the uproar, the congregation freezes as though they’re not sure what to do.
Even the priest on the stage looks confused. I’m halfway to the altar by the time Semyon’s guards spring into action.To my surprise, they’re not firing at me. No, instead, they’re bundling Lisette away into the back of the church.
