Page 45 of Merciless Union
“Of course I’m fucking mad,” I seethe. “Who the fuck did this?”
“I have an idea,” he says dryly.
“I’ll see you at Stepan’s house,” I grumble, hanging up the phone.
I walk to the door, only pausing when I see the broken paint supplies still lying on the ground. Another ache goes through my gut, but I push it aside as I storm out the door.
I drive as fast as I can through fucking New York traffic till I reach Stepan’s brownstone. Nik is pulling up right as I reach the front door, banging on it. He reaches my side, holding his gun, ready to strike.
No one answers.
I bang on the door again.
A woman walking her dog across the street looks over at us, and I give her my best charming smile before turning back to the door.
“Too many people out right now,” I mutter. “Put your fucking gun away.”
Nik does as I instruct. “I can pick the lock.”
I glance around us before nodding. “All right.”
I stand guard as Nik fiddles with the lock, finally unlocking it after a few minutes. I push open the door, storming right inside.
“Stepan!” I shout. I look at Nik and order, “Check upstairs.” He rushes up the stairs, his footsteps loud on the wood.
I search the entire first floor. No sign of the bastard.
Nik comes back down, shaking his head.
“Where is he?” I grumble.
Nik sighs, placing his hands on his hips. “He could be anywhere.” He snaps his fingers. “Why don’t we pay a visit to the men who were here for ‘game night.’” He rolls his eyes.
“Good idea.” The image of Erik and his father, Vladimir, pass through my mind. “I know who might have done this.”
Nik follows me as I drive through the city toward Vladimir’s house. I remember my father mentioning Vladimir a few times and how he never really trusted the shifty bastard, but that he was useful, especially when it came to handling the drug side of our business.
I made Nik in charge of the drug shipments after I took over, but it stands to reason that Vladimir would know where the drugs were. Out of all my father’s men, he’d be the most likely to have that information.
We arrive at Vladmir’s house in the suburbs, and I don’t bother pounding on the door. Instead, I kick it in, my gun in my hands, with Nik at my back.
We find Vladimir taking a nap in his arm chair. I kick his feet, jerking him awake.
“What the fuck?” he grumbles, startling once he sees me. “Mr. Petrov. What are you doing here?”
“Cut the fucking bullshit, Vladimir.” I press my gun to his temple. He lets out a small whimper. “What did you do with the drugs?”
“Drugs? What drugs?”
“Come on.” I cock my gun. “Tell me.”
“Ok, ok.” He holds his hands up. “Let’s not be too hasty here. If I tell you where they are, you’ll just kill me.”
“I’ll kill you even if you don’t tell me where they are.”
“Then you’ll lose thousands of dollars. You can’t risk it. Especially being new to leadership. You know it.”
Fuck him. He’s right.
