Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“That’s good. Did you get hurt?” Rodian asks.
“No. Andrei got me into the SUV before they attacked.”
“Okay. What’s happening now?”
“They’re leaving.” Crying hard, my body shudders with each sob.
“Blyadʹ. Can you drive?”
“N-no. I d-don’t know h-how.” Then it sinks in that Andrei was shot three times, and it’s probably the last time I’ll see him.
They’re going to kill Rodian’s underboss, which means another war.
“I’m so sorry,” I weep, my shoulders jerking. “I know he was your best friend and you love him.”
“Not was,” Rodian growls. “Andrei is strong. He’ll survive.” A few seconds later, he says, “I see you. I’m here.”
My head whips from side to side as I frantically search the area, and seeing Rodian get out of another SUV, I unlock the Rolls-Royce and shove the door open.
I almost fall in my hurry to get out, then I run to my husband and throw my arms around him.
“I’ve got you.” His strong body practically engulfs me as he orders, “Sergei, get Andrei’s gun by the front left tire.”
I hear Sergei jog away, and pulling back, I wipe the tears from my cheeks while glancing at the blood that’s smeared over the side panel of the SUV.
“I shouldn’t have gone out.”
“They still would have gone after Andrei,” Rodian says, and framing my head, he presses kisses to my forehead before his eyes sweep over me from head to toe. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me and focus on Andrei. He needs you.”
Rodian’s phone rings, and he quickly pulls it out. “Give me good news.”
I can’t hear what the other person says, but it makes Rodian grab my hand and shout, “Sergei, bring the Rolls-Royce. Rosie has a direction for us to go in. Stay on my tail.”
“Yes, boss.”
I run with Rodian to the other SUV, and while he climbs in behind the steering wheel, I scramble into the passenger seat.
The engine roars as Rodian speeds away from the scene, and while he steers with one hand, he connects his phone to Bluetooth and says, “I’m heading north.”
“Right at the next set of traffic lights. Pedal to the metal, Rodian. The tracking device only works if there’s a tower it can ping off, so as soon as they leave the city, it will be difficult to track the device,” Rosie says, her tone very tense.
Rodian takes the right so sharp, I fall to the side but quickly pull myself upright and put on my seat belt.
God, please let us get to Andrei in time.
Only after I send up the prayer do I realize that if we do catch up, it will be Rodian and Sergei against half an army.
My head snaps to him. “There were easily ten men! You and Sergei can’t fight them all.”
“I’m not losing Andrei,” Rodian replies, his tone unforgiving.
While I stare at my husband, who’s dead set on saving his underboss, I send up one silent prayer after the other.
CHAPTER 26
Rodian
“No!” Rosie shouts, frustration tightening her voice. “Tim, do you see anything?”
“Nothing,” the kid says. “Wait! Wait! Rodian, make a U-turn. You’ve passed a road five miles back. You need to go left there.”
“Are you sure?” Rosie asks. “Hold up. Andrei’s tracker just flashed eight miles south.”
“Which fucking direction?” I roar.
There’s silence for way too fucking long, then Rosie says, “Either they’re scrambling the signal, or the tracking device is malfunctioning. It’s jumping all over the place.”
I slam on the brakes, and after bringing the SUV to a screeching stop, I hit my fist against the fucking steering wheel. “Blyadʹ!”
“Just give me a few minutes,” Rosie mutters.
As if we have the fucking time.
Iisus Khristos, they’re going to kill him. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Andrei. They know taking my right-hand man out will cripple me severely.
I begin shaking my head, refusing to give up. Glancing up and down the road, I listen to my gut and make a U-turn.
Anastasia sits quietly beside me, her thumb moving fast from fingertip to fingertip.
As I drive back to the road Tim pointed out, I give her hands a quick squeeze and murmur, “We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”
Message after message pops up on the dashboard screen.
Atanas. Constantin. Devrin. Ryo, Enzo.
They’re all letting me know they’re coming to help.
If the fuckers kill Andrei, I will soak the fucking ground with their blood.
No, fuck that. I’m doing it anyway for daring to go after my best friend.
“Rodian,” Rosie says, her tone somber. “The signal is gone. I’m sorry. There’s no telling where they are. Wait for the–”
“I’ll take it from here. Thanks for trying.”
I end the call and dial Sergei’s number.
“Why are we driving in circles?” he asks.
“We think the tracking device malfunctioned. Go get gas and gather the men. I’ll be out here driving around. Maybe I get lucky.”
“You want me to leave you?!” he snaps. “The fuck?”