Chapter 21 21

Chapter 21 21


Ivan’s footsteps were slow and steady as he returned from the abandoned site, his mind still clouded with thoughts. 

It was clear now that the can was planted by somebody else to eliminate Felix, yet he couldn’t place a name or a face to the betrayal. 

Throughout his journey back to his study room, Felix’s face haunted him. By the time he reached his study, he was drained. Dropping into the mini sofa, he exhaled deeply, before rising to pour himself a glass of wine. 

Moments later, one of his guards stepped in. 

“The car has been prepared for Katerina”

Ivan paused mid- sip. He had completely forgotten she was heading out that afternoon. 

“You still coming with us Boss?”

“No, not again. Get three… no four men to go with her” Ivan said.

“Noted boss”

“Two of them will stay hidden, one will scout the area, the other will never leave her side”

“It’s a done deal”  The guard turned to leave. 

“Alfred…” Ivan called after  him.

“I want all the details, reported back to me. Every single detail”

“Okay Boss”

As Alfred stepped out, Katerina walked in. Her soft pink gown traced her figure; the light makeup brought out the glow in her face. Ivan found himself staring for too long. She looked beautiful.

“Hey Ivan”

He looked up at her.

“I am ready to take my leave”

“Your car is ready”

“Okay, thank you “

He gave a faint nod as she  walked out. Part of him wanted to follow, to keep her safe himself, but Felix death still weighed heavily on him.  

A few  minutes later, Dimitri entered.

“What happened to the man?”

Ivan sighed. “He was burnt by the same fire he set to burn the others.”

Dimitri’s expression fell. “That’s too bad”

“I would have to visit his family to break the news to them”

Dimitri nodded in agreement.

Ivan grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

“Get a car ready, Salvador will drive me”

He hung up, then turned to Dimitri “uncle, I gotta go now”

Dimitri stepped aside as Ivan walked out, shutting the door softly behind him. 


Katerina got into the car, staring at the driver and the man in black seated beside him. 

“Good afternoon ma’am” the driver greeted.

She stared at them and responded with a nod.

The drive through to the location was quiet, slow and steady until they got to the spot. 

She got down, scanning the docks. She grabbed her handbag and started walking in uncomfortable by the guard who accompanied her. 

She was fine alone and didn’t know why she had to be watched like a child. She stopped, the body guard stopped too. She turned to him.

“Look I know you’re following orders, but having you follow me like this is very obvious and I don’t want that. How about you follow me, without actually following me” Katerina said

“I don’t quite understand you ma’am” He frowned.

“I mean, keep your distance. Blend in. That way if someone tries something, they won’t even see you coming.”

He hesitated, then nodded “Understood ma’am”

“Good… Now  could you move back a little” 

He obliged, taking a few steps away.

“Thank you “ she said as she continued walking.

A few steps in, she got a call.

“Hello…

“I thought I told you to come alone” the voice echoed

“I am alone”

The voice from the other end chuckled. “ you think I can’t see you?”

Fear gripped her body a little bit. She started walking faster, her heartbeat drumming in her ears, the phone still pressed to her cheek.

“Please don’t leave, I am coming to meet you...” she said. 

Before she could react, a dark bag came down over her head. Strong hands dragged her backward, dragging her across the ground.

She kicked, screamed, but the sound was muffled. Within seconds, she was shoved into a car that sped off from behind a container.
Her bodyguard hurried to meet up with them but the vehicle was already gone. 

“Shit” he said, pulling out his radio.


Thre car came to a halt in front of the calm and cool residence of Felix’s family. Ivan sat still for a moment, scanning the house and then he gradually alighted from the car.

Salvador, tried accompanying him.

“Salvador, I go in alone”

“Boss….but”

“I am going to break the news of their sons passing, they’d atleast need some privacy “

He walked towards the door. He knocked.

An elderly woman appeared, with grey hair.

“Felix is that you? Welcome back. Come come in”

Ivan’s heart sank. He followed her in. countenance dropped. As he got in. Felix grandma led him to the parlor. Felix father sat on the big sofa reading the daily news.

“Kendrick…” She called. “ See your son is back”
A man sitting on the sofa reading the paper looked up sharply. His face hardened.
“Oh, Mom… that’s not Felix,” Kendrick said, getting to his feet.
“What’s going on?” A voice from within the house called out.

“My mother went to bring a stranger into our house” Kendrick said, voice calm. 

The elderly woman immediately retired to her room.

“Who are you?” Kendrick asked.

“My name is Ivan, Felix’s friend”

“Ohh, you’re a friend? Felix never had any friends, when did you get into the picture?” Kendrick said offering him a sit.
Before Ivan could respond, a woman entered, apron tied at her waist, napkin in hand.
“Hello” Amanda said softly 

Ivan turned and looked up at her.

“Oh…” she said recognizing him “You’re Felix’s boss right”

“Yes” Ivan tried to correct.

“Welcome… what can I offer you?”

“Nothing” Ivan said politely. “I… came to share some news.”

Amanda sat down, close to her husband.

“What news is that?” She asked.

“It’s about Felix…there was an accident”

Amanda’s frowned, as Kendrick sat up.

“He was supposed to burn something down but the fire spread too quickly. It exploded, Felix didn't make it”
Amanda’s hand flew to her mouth. A cry escaped her as she crumbled into tears.Kendrick froze, his face pale 
His phone rang and it was a call from Katerina’s bodyguard but he ignored it.

“Can we see his body?” Kendrick managed to ask.

“Yes I can make arrangements for that” Ivan said “ Your son was a very good person, he died in loyal service to me and for that I’d take care of every expense during this time.”

Amanda nodded faintly, her sobs quieting for a moment.
“You know, he was about to get married. The last time he came home he told me about it, I was going to give him the ring his father gave me years ago. He was so happy and… now he’s gone”

“I am so sorry ma’am” Ivan said trying to hold back his tears.

His grandma returned back to the sitting room

“Why are you all crying huh? Did someone die”

“No grandma” Kendrick said as he took led her back into her room.

“She’s… she’s got memory loss, barely remembers a thing”

Ivan stood silent, as his phone rang again.

“I am so sorry, I’ve got to take this” he went to the edge of the room and picked the call.

“Hello…” 

“Boss…” came the shaky voice on the other end. 

“What is it?”

“It’s Katerina. She’s been taken”

“What do you mean she’s been taken? I had you guys watch her. How did she get taken from all four of you?

“I am so sorry boss… We tried…”
He hung up.

“Is everything okay?” Amanda asked.

Ivan was already miles away in thought 
Where was Katerina? Who had her?

“Yes ma’am, but I am sorry I have an emergency I gotta run to right now”

“I understand. Thank you for coming to break the news to me yourself and not sending someone else. Felix always spoke so highly of you. He always mentioned how you treated him like family”

Ivan nodded while smiling.

“And your wife, she’s a good woman.” Amanda added. “I don’t know what's going on between you two but for some reason, Felix thinks she’s a good woman”

Ivan simply nodded in agreement.

“ I am so sorry for your loss” Ivan said finally, bowing his head.

She nodded her head and bid him farewell.

Ivan took his leave and met with Salvador outside.

“We’ve got to go right now, Kat’s been taken”

Salvador’s face tightened. He opened the car door and got behind the wheel.  
Ivan slid in beside him, his voice low and controlled.
“Drive.”



Everywhere was dark. The only sound that could be heard were whispers. Katerina sat tied to chair blindfolded. The voices were arguing, like something had gone wrong. Then all of a sudden, the whispers stopped.

Silence.
Footsteps echoed slowly toward her,  one… two… three… 
The footsteps stopped right in front of her. Then fingers brushed against the side of her face, and the blindfold was yanked away. She looked up, the light too bright for her eyes. 
It was Slavik, the same man she met at the dinner.

Her mind spun. Slavik?

Her lips trembled as she forced out the words.
“Why… why have you brought me here?”