Chapter 76 Chapter 76

Chapter 76 Chapter 76
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

Dimitri's POV 

I drove like a madman through the streets of Moscow.

My hands gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

Cars honked at me as I swerved between lanes. But I did not care.

Nothing mattered except getting to Mikhail.

The drive to his estate felt like it took forever. 

Images of Irina kept flashing in my mind.

What were they doing to her right now? 

I pressed harder on the accelerator. The engine roared. I ran through red lights nearly hitting other cars.

People shouted and cursed at me. But I did not stop.

"Hold on, Irina," I whispered. "Please hold on."

Finally, I reached Mikhail's estate. The tall iron gates stood before me.

I slammed on the brakes. The car screeched to a stop.

I jumped out and ran to the gates. Two guards stood there, stopping me from entering.

"I need to see Mikhail!" I shouted. "Let me in!"

"Mikhail Reznikov is not accepting visitors," one guard said flatly.

"I am not a visitor!" I yelled. "I am his godson! Let me in now!"

"Our orders are clear, sir." The other guard said. 

"Please," I said desperately. "I need his help. My wife is in danger."

"We cannot help you," the first guard replied.

I grabbed the gates and shook them violently. "Mikhail! Mikhail, please!"

My voice echoed across the grounds. But there was no response.

"You need to leave," a guard warned.

"No!" I shouted. "I am not leaving until I see him!"

"Sir, please, do not make this difficult." The guard said.

But I did not move. I stayed right there at the gates.

"Mikhail!" I screamed again. "Please! I need you!"

I could see the house in the distance. The lights were on inside.

He was in there. I knew he was probably looking at me.

"Mikhail!" I screamed louder. "Do not do this! Please!"

The guards moved closer to me. Their hands went to their weapons.

"Step away from the gates," one ordered.

"No," I said firmly. "I will not leave."

Hours passed. The sun moved across the sky.

I stayed there screaming and begging.

My throat became raw. My voice grew hoarse.

"Mikhail, please!" I shouted over and over. "I am sorry! I need your help!"

The guards tried to make me leave several times. They threatened me, but I did not care.

I refused to move from this spot. I would die here if I had to.

"My wife will die!" I yelled. "Do you hear me? She will die!"

My voice cracked with emotion. I didn't kmow when tears started streaming down my face.

I no longer cared about my pride. All that mattered was Irina. 

"I cannot do this without you, please, Mikhail! Please!" I continued, but the gates never opened. Mikhail never came.

I sank to my knees on the ground. My body was shaking. The sky began to darken. The sun was setting. Panic rose in my chest. It was getting dark.

How long had it been? Five hours? Six? Maybe more?

What had they done to Irina in all this time?

Was she being tortured? Was she being hurt?

I thought about Alexei's baby. The innocent life growing inside her.

"No," I whispered. I could not think like that.

I had to stay strong and keep fighting.

I sat down on the ground in front of the gates with my back against the cold metal and my head in my hands.

Some of the guards had moved away to patrol other areas. Only one remained.

I watched him for a while, studying him. He looked young, maybe twenty-five.

Then an idea formed in my mind. A desperate terrible idea.

But I had no choice. Irina's life depended on it.

I stood up slowly. My legs were stiff from sitting.

I walked towards the young guard. And he tensed as I approached.

"You," I said coldly. "What is your name?"

"Boris, sir," the guard replied nervously.

"Boris," I repeated. "Do you have a family?"

The guard's face went pale. "Yes, sir. A wife and a daughter."

"How old is your daughter?" I asked.

"Three, sir," Boris said quietly.

"Three years old," I said. "That is a beautiful age."

"Yes, sir," Boris agreed, smiling.

"And you want them to stay alive, correct?" I asked. My voice was calm but threatening.

"Sir, I…" Boris stammered.

"Answer me!" I shouted suddenly.

Boris jumped. "Yes, sir. Yes, I want them alive."

I stepped closer. My face was inches from his.

"Then help me get inside," I said quietly. "Or I will annihilate your entire family."

Boris's eyes went wide with terror. "Sir, please. I cannot…"

"Yes, you can," I interrupted. "And you will."

I explained my plans to him and he agreed.

We quickly switched clothes. My expensive shirt for his guard uniform.

The uniform was slightly too small but it would have to do.

I took his hat and pulled it low over my face.

"Open the gates," I ordered.

Boris pressed the button with shaking hands. The gates slowly swung open.

I walked through quickly. My heart was pounding.

"Remember," I said to Boris. "You never saw me."

"Yes, sir," Boris nodded. 

I knew the layout of Mikhail's estate well. I had been here many times.

I walked through the gardens. Past the fountains and towards the main house.

Guards patrolled but none of them stopped me. To them, I was just another guard. 

I reached the house and entered through a side door.

I knew exactly where Mikhail would be. His study. He spent most evenings there.

I climbed the stairs quietly. My footsteps were soft on the carpet.

My hands were sweating. My mouth was dry.

Finally, I reached the door to his study. Light came from underneath.

He was in there. I could hear movement.

I took a deep breath. Then I opened the door.

Mikhail was sitting at his desk. He looked up expecting a guard.

I pulled off the mask. His expression changed to shock when he saw my face.

"Dimitri," he said. "How did you…"

"I need your help," I interrupted, stepping into the room.

Mikhail's face hardened. "Get out."

"Please," I said. "Just listen to me."

"I have nothing to say to you," Mikhail replied coldly. "Leave my house."

"The council took Irina," I said desperately. "They framed her for poisoning Alexei."

Mikhail did not respond. He just looked at me with cold eyes.

"Viktor Orlov is leading this," I continued. "He faked evidence."

Mikhail didn't say anything, he just turned away from me and walked to the window.

"Please," I begged. My voice broke. "She did not do it. You know she did not."

Mikhail remained silent.

I dropped to my knees. Right there on the floor of his study.

"I am begging you," I said. Tears streamed down my face. "Help me save her."

"Why should I?" Mikhail asked without turning around.

"Because she is innocent!" I shouted. "Because she will die!"

"That is not my problem," Mikhail said coldly.

"I know I hurt you," I said. "I know I was wrong to dismiss you."

"You disrespected me in front of your guards." Mikhail said angrily.

"I am sorry!" I cried. "I was angry!"

Mikhail still did not turn around. He just stood there looking out the window.

"Irina will die!" I roared. Fresh tears fell down my cheeks. "Do you understand? She will die!"

The words echoed in the room. But Mikhail said nothing.

"I will bring you back to your position," I said desperately. "You can have everything back."

Mikhail remained
silent.

"Just please help me save her," I begged. "Please, Godfather. I am begging you."

Minutes passed. Long terrible minutes of silence.

The clock on the wall ticked loudly.

Mikhail did not turn. He id not speak. He did not even look at me.

I stayed on my knees. Waiting, hoping and praying.

He still didn't say anything.

Finally, I could not take it anymore.

I stood up with anger flooding through me. 

"Fine," I said coldly."I will handle it myself. And when I do, things will not be good."

I walked out and slammed the door behind me.