The Warehouse
The Warehouse
Angelo
Watching Tatiana beside Tony, addressing the Saints and the Rominas, fills my heart with pride. I know deep down she is nervous, but she seems so comfortable that it’s hard to believe she wasn’t born for this.
It’s definitely in her blood, and I must admit the role fits her perfectly.
I don’t think I’ll ever be at ease with her being in such a dangerous position, but since I can’t do anything about it, I can only be thankful that she has this many people around her to help and protect her.
It soothes my heart a little.
Everyone seems to have accepted the merging, although I can see a few men still a bit hesitant about it, glancing at each other unsurely. But if I were to guess, it’ll be just a matter of time until Tatiana and Tony can prove they made the best decision.
When Johnny comes rushing toward them and delivers a piece of paper to Tatiana, I know something is up. He’s been in charge of the teams we have on the streets looking for Yakov and any of his minions.
I glance at Guskov and take a step forward while Tatiana and Tony read the message.
“Do you think they found something?” he asks me quietly.
I shrug, unsure of what to think.
“All right, everyone. We got news sooner than expected,” Tony announces, straightening up and addressing all of us again. Tatiana is tense beside him, but I can see that glint of excitement in her eyes. She is ready to fight. “Yakov was found. Apparently, he’s been hiding in the docks.”
“Guskov,” Tatiana calls, and the man beside me heads to the front of the garden where she’s standing. “Do we have an old warehouse there? Is it possible to check and see if it’s been used by someone over the past few days?”
Guskov nods sharply, already grabbing his phone from his pocket.
“I’ll give them a call.”
He walks to the side of the house, and we’re all eager to hear his answer. My adrenaline has already kicked in, and I can’t wait to get some action. The longer we wait, the easier it will be for Yakov to go missing again.
We can’t let that happen.
Silence envelops our surroundings as we wait for Guskov to return with information. When he does, I notice I’ve been holding my breath this entire time.
“There seems to be movement in the docks, Boss. They didn’t see Yakov specifically, so I asked them to check the surveillance cameras and give me a call. However, this might take a while,” he informs, looking at Tatiana.
“I suggest we end this tonight. Let’s get prepared for an attack. If we get the green light, we won’t have to waste time thinking of a plan.” There’s not a hint of hesitation in her eyes or voice.
“I agree. Let’s plan a coordinated attack. We need to make sure we leave no loose ends,” Tony adds from beside her.
When the sun sets, we’re all headed to the docks. Guskov said it was confirmed that Yakov was hiding in the old warehouse, and as planned, we were all prepared, equipped from head to toe.
Tatiana and I drive in the same car, following the others in a convoy. We don’t exchange any words other than going through our plan over and over. We park the car a few miles away from the warehouse and move in through the shadows of the containers piled throughout the docks.
It’s hard to have a clear vision for an attack, but since we checked the cameras, we know some strategic places we can stay hidden and shoot from without being hit.
“Let’s go,” Tatiana orders through the earpiece device. “No mercy–and don’t get hurt,” she adds in conclusion.
I don’t say anything, following her closely, holding my gun in front of me. Tatiana does the same, slowly moving forward.
Tatiana
With a bang, Sal and Guskov kick the door of the warehouse open.
A wave of men storm inside, pointing their guns at whoever shows up in our way and taking them out with calculated shots.
I waste no time, striding inside, my eyes searching for that one familiar face. I don’t worry about protecting myself, knowing Angelo and the others have me covered. I told them I wanted to handle Yakov myself, and they easily granted me that wish.
I will have another death to my account, but I should start getting used to it. It will surely not be the last.
Knowing I’ll be the one to put Yakov under the ground, just like I did with his father, sort of gives me this satisfaction I can’t deny.
My eyes roam through the dark place, watching as people engage in fights, dodging punches, kicking, and shooting at each other.
That’s when I see a pair of widened eyes staring back at me from behind a desk. It’s dark and distant, but I’d have recognized them anywhere. My stomach churns and bile threatens to climb up my throat, and I know I’m right–the visceral reaction confirms my eyesight. Yakov.
I wasn’t missing the feeling he gives me, that’s for sure.
Pushing the repulse away, I move forward, dodging to the left when he shoots at me from over the desk. He’s clumsy, and the shot doesn’t even pass close to me, but it angers me anyway.
“You fucking coward,” I yell at him through gritted teeth, holding my gun so tight in front of me that my knuckles turn white. “Running away like a fucking rat. What? Don’t you want to be the boss of the Romina Empire? Don’t you think you should be fighting for it instead of hiding behind a desk? Instead of attacking us and running away? Where is that arrogance of yours, huh?” I taunt, remembering the way he would stare me down as if he owned me when I was trapped in his mansion.
I get closer to him, and he shoots at me again. This time, I have to hide behind a pile of boxes, but I counterattack faster than he expected. The bullet hits his arm, making him drop his gun. Yakov gasps and crawls backward, hitting the wall behind him.
His eyes widen even more as I take a step forward, towering over him and pointing my pistol at his face.
“Come on, Tatiana,” he pleads, his voice cracking as he stares at the barrel pointed at his forehead. “We’re family…”
I scoff. “Family?” The word tastes like venom in my tongue. “You were going to force me to marry you.”
I remember the feeling of his ice fingers gripping my chin and the way he gazed at me, eager to make me do whatever he wanted. My skin crawls, and I struggle to get my shit together. I can’t lose my focus, I scold myself.
As if on cue, I feel someone moving behind me. I don’t need to look to know it’s Angelo. His scent invades me as soon as he steps close to me, and I instantly feel reassured. Protected. Safe.
One glance over my shoulder and I spot his gun raised and pointed at Yakov.
He doesn’t do anything, letting me handle it as he promised he would, but knowing he has my back is enough to give me the necessary strength to finish this.
Yakov gets on his knees, bowing at me dramatically.
“Come on. Let me go, and I promise you’ll never have to worry about me again. I won’t come back to claim the Romina Empire. You’ll never see my face in your life.” His plea is ridiculous. It’s obvious he’s only saying this now because he’s cornered. I don’t doubt for a second that he’d come back to bite me in the ass as soon as he saw himself out of danger. He’s that much of a coward.
“And you thought you’d be a great leader. You’re nothing but a bastard brat who thinks the world revolves around you,” I spit, fury seeping through my every pore. “I won’t leave loose ends. I hope you rot in hell with your beloved father.”
I cock the gun, and with one decisive move, I pull the trigger.
Yakov falls forward, his limp body landing on the floor in a strange position, blood pooling beneath him. He's the third person I’ve killed, but I still don’t feel comfortable enough to keep staring at him for long.
I look away, lowering my gun, my arms falling by my side. My heart is slamming against my chest, my breathing erratic, and the adrenaline is starting to wear off as I realize it is over.
For now, at least.
Warm and comfortable arms wrap around my waist from behind and pull me against a hard chest. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and inhaling the best scent in the entire world, letting it calm me down.
Angelo places a kiss on my head. “You did great, baby,” he tells me in a soft and low voice.
I nod, letting the peace he offers consume me completely.