Page 89 of Merciless Union
I pull out my phone, dialing Alexei’s number. “Where is she?” I ask before he can say hello.
“What are you talking about?”
“Is Elena there?”
“She’s been in her room all afternoon.”
I sigh. “Just check for me.”
Alexei grumbles. “Elena?” I hear him say, knocking on her door. A pause. Then, “She’s not here.”
“Fuck. Are Kira and Mom there?”
“Yeah, they’re in the living room. Kira’s reading. Mom’s painting her nails.”
“Good. Make sure they stay safe. Stepan has Elena. I’m not sure how but he does.”
Alexei goes quiet. “Maxim, I’m sorry. I promised to keep our family safe.”
I’m so fucking pissed at him but yelling right now won’t solve the issue. “Just keep them safe for me, Alexei.”
“Hey, they’re my family too,” he says softly. “You think I don’t care but I do.”
I pause. “You’re right. I have to go.” I hang up, looking at Arseny. “What cabin?”
“Out in the woods. Stepan has it in case of emergencies. His words, not mine.”
“Give me the fucking address.” I push my gun into his temple.
He whimpers but complies.
“Thanks. You get to live today. But bend the fucking knee to me. And if you ever act out against me again, I won’t hesitate to kill you.” I shove him back into the house. George looks at us. “Do you have rope?” I ask him.
“In the closet,” he says, pointing.
I tie Arseny up. “Keep an eye on him,” I say to George. “Call anyone else you trust. You’ll need back up. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
He nods, pointing his gun at Arseny. “I’ll do that. Maxim.” He grabs my arm as I walk past. “Get my daughter home safely.”
“I will.”
I walk out of the house, approaching Nik, who’s still slumped on the ground. “Get up. I know where Stepan is going. He has Arina and Elena.”
Nik perks up. “Elena?”
“Just get in the fucking car, Nik,’ I grumble. “We’re wasting time.”
Nik moves as fast as his body will allow him. I speed off, heading in the direction of the address Arseny gave me.
“Do you think they’re all right?” Nik asks.
I clench the steering wheel. “I don’t know and don’t ask me again until I know they’re both safe.”
He nods, staying silent the rest of the way.
It takes about another hour to reach the location. Of course, things aren’t as simple as I hoped them to be.
When Nik and I pull up into the dirt driveway, four more of my men who chose Stepan instead, jump out from behind trees and start blasting us with bullets.
