Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Matt’s expression turned arctic. “Got a plan?”
“Working on it.” Seth’s gaze flicked back to the house, to the closed drapes and the unnatural silence.
“Work faster, man. We need to move.”
“Not yet. We’re waiting for more backup.”
Matt frowned. “Who?”
Two vehicles pulled up and parked on opposite sides of the street. The doors swung open and men whose dangerous expressions and tattoos ensured they’d never be mistaken for cozy suburban neighbors stepped out.
Then, from the back of the lead car, another man opened the door to the back seat. Nikolai slowly emerged, doffing his thousand-dollar sunglasses with a raised brow.
Seth watched the big Russian gesture to his men—quick, silent signals. They dispersed, blending into the area and taking invisible positions, tightening the perimeter around his mother’s house.
Gene would never see them coming.
“Holy fuck! That’s—” Matt blinked. “Nikolai Volkov.”
“Yeah.”
“The Bratva boss. That Nikolai Volkov? You know him?” At Seth’s nod, Matt’s voice dropped. “How the fuck do—”
“Long story,” Seth interrupted as he watched Nik approach. “I’ll explain later.”
Matt was quiet for a beat, still gaping. “Do you trust him?”
“Mostly, but definitely today.” Seth shrugged. “Gene’s been invading Nik’s turf, so our interests align.”
“Damn.” Something like respect flickered in Matt’s expression. “You swim in way darker waters than I realized.”
Seth didn’t reply. His thoughts were churning. Whatever happened next, there’d be no going back. But that didn’t change the facts—or his objective.
He couldn’t let Gene escape with a hostage. Or start executing people.
And he couldn’t be too late.
Nikolai reached them, moving with a stealth and predatory grace that usually had his enemies scurrying away. Or shitting their pants. He clasped Seth’s hand—familiar, solid. “My friend.”
“Thanks for coming,” Seth said.
“Of course.” Nikolai turned to Beck, who wore a guarded expression. “Dr. Beckman, I owe apology for startling your woman at hotel. Was not my intention to frighten.”
Beck’s jaw clenched. “You were warning Seth. I get it.”
“Precisely.” Nikolai’s gaze dropped to Beck’s shoulder. “You need doctor. After this, I take you to mine. He is expert with gunshots.”
Beck shook his head. “I’m good. Thanks.”
Nikolai shrugged like it was his loss, then shifted to Matt. “Pleasure to meet you, Seth’s brother. For record, you are all under my protection now.”
Clearly, Matt wasn’t sure what to make of that. “Um…thanks.”
Seth watched the exchange, trying not to torture himself with what might be going on in the house. He had to compartmentalize. Now wasn’t the time for guilt—for digging when he swore he wouldn’t. Or fear—for Heavenly, their baby, his son, and mother trapped inside the house.
Instead, he focused on what needed to be done: containment, rescue, fallout. Denying Gene an exit.
Seth stood next to Beck, who still slumped against the house. He gestured Matt and Nikolai closer. When they moved in a tight circle around him, he dropped his voice. “We’re out of time. Gene knows I’ve got the evidence to destroy him, and he knows I’m here. I’m sure he’s just waiting for backup before he makes a move.”
“Specter will wait long time. My men stop them.”
Seth raised a brow. “Tell them to incapacitate only. No killing.”
Nik pressed a tattooed hand to his chest. “You insult me, Seth Cooper. I am not amateur. Dead cops, even crooked ones, are problem.”
“Exactly,” Seth agreed. And if the situation wasn’t so tense, he’d poke fun at Nik’s dramatic flair. Wouldn’t be the first time.
“How do we stop him?” Matt asked.
“We’ve got maybe ten minutes before Gene realizes he’s been outplayed and goes off the deep end. Somehow, we’ve got to get in there, rescue everyone, and neutralize him. If he panics, he’ll either start shooting or run with a hostage, probably Mom or Heavenly. Either would be catastrophic.”
“Specter will not get far,” Nik assured.
Matt nodded, face grim with resolve. “If he fucking tries, I’ll kill him.”
Seth shook his head. “No. That son of a bitch is mine.”
Matt hesitated, then nodded.
Nik looked less convinced, so Seth got in his face. “This is just business for you. This asshole destroyed my life twice. He killed people I love, so it’s fucking personal for me. I’m the one who ends this. You got it?”
For a moment, Nik glowered. Then he rolled his eyes. “You steal fun.”
But the big Russian had given in.
Seth clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll make damn sure he pays, one way or another.”
Nikolai’s phone buzzed quietly. He glanced at it, then typed something back. He’d barely hit Send when it buzzed again.
As Nik’s thumbs flew across his screen, worry gripped Seth. “Problem?”
He shook his head. “My men intercept Specter’s backup around neighborhood. They take nap in trunk of car.”
“That was fast.” Matt was clearly impressed.
Nikolai flashed his brother a toothy smile. “No one wishes to disappoint me.”
Seth knew that was true. “Beck, you up to filling everyone in, like you did me?”
A glance at the good doctor’s gray face and jaw clenched in pain worried the hell out of him.