Page 36 of Crimson Wrath

My legs suddenly come to a halt and I signal the others to do the same.

Fucking Volkov.

He’s here.

I can feel it.

I shoot Scarlett a knowing glance, to warn her of the threat looming ahead. She returns the gesture, letting me know that she too knows that we’re close. My chest suddenly tightens, fear for Scarlett’s safety mixing with the need to save Nikolai.

Its a strange feeling, worrying about others.

This used to be much easier, when it was just my life on the line.

I can’t let anything happen to them!

We take cover behind a stack of metal beams, taking inventory of our weapons and preparing ourselves for the confrontation ahead.

“Ready?” I ask, my fingers brushing against Scarlett’s in a gesture of reassurance.

“Da,” she grins, her gaze meeting mine as we brace ourselves for what’s ahead.

Beyond the cover of darkness, mothefucking Volkov is waiting. I know it. I can only pray that our onslaught has taken out enough of his men to balance the odds in our favor. Taking a deep breath, I give one last nod to the others.

We burst out from our hiding spot, catching more of Volkov’s thugs by surprise. Scarlett’s quick reflexes come into play as she hurls a small knife at one of the men, striking a bastard in the thigh. Blood spurts out, and he drops like a stone, rolling and groaning.

Another raises his automatic rifle in our direction, threatening to turn us into swiss cheese. Lucky for is, I’m no spring chicken in this game. In a fragment of a second, I dart forward, closing the gap between us. Before the bastard can react, my fist connects with his jaw. A sharp crunch of his bones sends him sprawling to the ground, his weapon clatters uselessly away.

But then, everything suddenly stops. Just like that. The last thing I hear before a crushing silence descends upon us, is the metallic clatter of rifles taking aim.

Not a good sign.

Even a cricket starts chirping, showing appreciation for the sudden quiet . No more men meet our crazed attack. There’s only a haunting silence that dissolves just as quickly as it appeared.

“That’s far enough, Ulianov,” I hear a voice call out through the night.

Blyad!

“One more step and you sign your boy’s death warrant.”

I come to an abrupt halt. A scuffle of footsteps nearby lets me know that Luka has done the same, and a sidelong glance shows me that Scarlett has stopped. She throws a questioning look my way.

My mind races, but there’s only one conceivable course of action.

“Stand down,” I call out, knowing the men will obey without question.

“Smart move,zasrahnets.” Volkov’s oily laughter has bile rising in my throat. “Now, let’s talk business, shall we?”

Chapter 12

Anton

I stare into Volkov’s cold eyes.

The hope for a surprise attack evaporates like mist.

The motherfucker is standing on a raised platform, like some sort of sick emperor surveying his kingdom. Behind him yawns a deep pit, the foundation of some future section of the building going up around us. Stinking of wet concrete – a gut-clenching reminder of the danger my son faces.

A cold, damp chill creeps under my skin, finding its way into my bones.

---