Chapter 27 UNKNOWN
Chapter 27 UNKNOWN
NIKOLAI
With the recent event, a sweep had to be conducted. It’s essential that I know who is within my walls and why.
After Mia was attacked, I was suddenly alerted to the fact that there seems to be a lot of oversight when it comes to who is allowed within these walls, and everyone one knows that the most dangerous rot happens from within.
I line up the traitors in the middle of the yard, along with the soldier in charge of recruitments, and call everyone out.
“A few days ago, someone within these walls attempted to murder my guest. A traitor who thought he’d survive.” I point to the men lined up in front of me. “These men are on various missions from my enemies, and I have just fished them out. I’m not saying this is all of them, but I want everyone to see what fate awaits you if you ever cross me.”
I pull out my gun and fire one bullet at their head and they fall one by one like dirt.
There are murmurs and gasps, but no one dares to speak.
Fear does that. It silences even the bravest men.
I turn to everyone gathered and smirk. Every face looks tense, some are pale, and others are stoic. The guilty ones are still amongst us, and it won’t be long now.
“If you are here and you think it’s okay to sell information, risk my people and my guests for a few thousand dollars at best, then an ending like this is not far from you.”
My jaw tightens. “Do not forget that I do not forgive betrayal. I do not negotiate with traitors, and I don’t give second chances.”
I turn to Fin, who is standing not far from me in the crowd. “Burn them,” I instruct and walk away.
I’m done here.
I’ve planted a seed here; whatever other rot that exists within would fall off as a result of what I just did today, they would be easier to spot, fear would make them clumsy, uncalculated, and the desperation to survive would give them away.
I head straight to my room to check on Mia. When I push the door open, she’s lying there, asleep.
Her face is relaxed, and her lashes rest against her cheeks. One arm is tucked under the blanket.
I stand there longer than I should, watching her breathe, counting each rise and fall of her chest, making sure she’s still here.
She doesn’t stir.
Thankfully, despite having taken a few bullets, no vital organ was hit, so she’ll be okay in a couple of days.
“You’re safe now,” I murmur, even though she can’t hear me.
Then I straighten and leave.
My office is dark when I enter, although it’s daytime, I enjoy my space being dark at all times unless I’m in the mood for some light.
I don’t turn on the main light, just the desk light. I sit in front of my computer and log in through three encrypted networks.
I like to make sure that I have whatever skills I need to act alone. I’ve always been paranoid, and in times like this, that trust should be portioned out with care. I don’t like anyone to know what moves are up my sleeves.
I log into the dark webs and crack my neck. It’s easier to find information in an environment where everyone is a rat.
Looking for information on Dante Pierce
I sit back and wait for a response. In a few seconds, I received a response.
What do you want to know?
I sigh and sit up again.
I want to know who he’s working for, and where he is.
I wait again and decide to look around and see what has been going on around here. It’s not every day I get to come here, because I usually have nothing I need here. Delilah runs our arms operation on the dark web, so I don’t bother myself with it. And I also hate to see some things that these animals in human form do. I mean, I know I’m not a saint myself, but at least I’ve never eaten a baby for dinner.
I see the reply and get back to that.
Unknown
That piques my interest even more. Someone who can hide his identity from even the dark web. It shows just how important it is for this person to stay hidden, and it makes it even more important for me to know.
No information at all?
No
The reply comes almost immediately, and I furrow my brows. Something doesn’t seem right at all, but I can’t place my finger on it.
I’ll have to do this the old school way.
I log out of the web and shut off my computer. Just then, I hear a knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
“Nickolai”
Delilah.
“Come in.”
She steps in, and I can see her figure moving closer to me until she’s within close distance for the table lamp to illuminate her face.
“What seems to be the matter?” I ask.
“I have a concern.” She says, and I wait for her to carry on with it.
“I think you need to take a step back and consider letting Mia go. I know you care about her, but her presence here seems to be upsetting the balance of things and bringing a lot of bad energy – you seem to be accumulating a lot of enemies as well.”
I know her hearts in the right place, but that doesn’t mean that she’s right.
“You’re thinking emotionally D,” I sigh. “I’ve always had a lot of enemies, and today, I killed a few of them, so I have a few less,” I smile.
“Nick-“
“You don’t have to worry about me, D. I know that you just don’t want to lose me, and you won’t. But I can’t let Mia go until I’ve eliminated Dante from this world. She was supposed to have a better life than this; that’s why I saved her. She was my first love.”
Her eyes shine in surprise, and my words surprise even me. It’s the first time I’d ever said that out loud.
“I think she still is,” D says.
“I don’t plan on keeping her here forever. I just want to know that she won’t fall into the hands of someone who is going to use and manipulate her the way Dante did.”
She leans on the table. “He really had her brainwashed.”
I nod and sigh, and she looks at me for a long second, a slight glint in her eyes.
“You’re a good person, Nick, you know that?”
“I’m not really a big fan of the title,” I joke, and we both laugh.
“I still have my concerns, but I’ll protect you no matter what,” she pauses for a moment. “And I’ll protect her too.”
That makes me smile, a real, genuine smile.
“Thank you, D.”