Chapter 90
NOLAN’S POV
It was already dark outside when I stood by the window, arms folded, watching fog settle over the field. The silence in the house felt heavy, like we were waiting for something.
Tonight, I was going after Ivan. No more running and hiding. Behind me, I could hear Dimitri and Camila going over the plan for tonight.
I turned and walked down the short hall to the bedroom where Anna and Hailey were. Anna sat in the rocking chair, cradling Hailey, gently humming some old lullaby. The sight nearly undid me.
Anna looked up at me with a smile as I entered. “She’s finally calm,” she said, sounding exhausted.
“That’s great,” I nodded and stepped closer. “I want to say goodbye before I go.”
Anna adjusted Hailey in her arms so I could take her. Hailey stretched her tiny hands as I held her in my arms.
“You look tired,” Anna said softly. “Sit on the bed.”
“It’s going to be a long night,” I muttered as I settled on the bed.
"Don't let this turn you into him," Anna said quietly as she settled into the bed beside me.
My gaze shifted to hers. “I’m not doing this for revenge. I’m doing it because if I don’t, he’ll come for you and her again. I can’t let that happen.”
She nodded slowly but didn’t respond. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me. For a moment, we sat like that, and everything seemed normal for a minute.
I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to rest my head in the crook of her neck and forget about Ivan, forget about the fight, and forget everything. But I’m just not there yet.
I cleared my throat and detached myself from her. “I think I should join Dimitri and Camila to finalize things.”
“Oh,” she said sadly. "Yeah, sure. I’ll just let Hailey sleep and join you guys.”
“Alright,” I gave her a short nod and walked out.
Dimitri and Camila were waiting in the living room, dressed in black and gray, discussing the plan.
Camila looked up, "Hey, pretty boy,” she said lazily, tossing a map on the table. “Ready to get your hands dirty?”
I didn’t smile. “Just walk me through the plan again.”
Dimitri pointed to the map. “We’ve confirmed Ivan’s using the warehouse near the docks. It’s isolated, one road in and out. He’s got armed men and cameras.”
“We’ll go in with a two-way split,” Camila added, moving a piece on the map. “I take the southside with Jax and Remy. Dimitri goes north with you.”
“Yeah, since you’re the one he wants, we would be waiting at the back door while they infiltrate through the front,” Dimitri said.
“Okay, fine by me. And we’re sure that he’s there?”
“Yeah, my contact verified that he was still there,” Dimitri said as he stood from the chair, stretching.
“Your contact?” I asked, raising a brow. “Are we sure we can trust them?”
Dimitri looked between Camila and me. “Are you guys for real right now?”
“I mean, maybe I should get someone on it just to cross-check,” Camila said with a shrug. “I’m not ready to get killed just because of his pretty face.”
“Okay, Dimitri, we’ll trust you on this. There’s no time to cross-check anymore, we have to move soon.”
Camila handed me a vest. “What about your team?” she asked.
“They’re already set,” I replied. “Your team’s still at the agreed location?”
“All set.” Camila nodded and sat down, pulling out her gear to double-check.
I dropped onto the couch and reached for one of my guns. As I started checking it, Dimitri did the same beside me, laying out weapons on the coffee table. Camila leaned over and clicked open a black case with extra rounds and silencers.
We worked in silence for a while, the sound of metal clicks and parts snapping into place filling the room.
I heard soft footsteps padding softly behind us.
I looked up to see Anna walk into the room quietly with her hair tied back, wearing one of my hoodies. She took in the guns laid out and said, “How’s it all going?”
“We’re getting there,” Dimitri answered without looking up.
Anna walked past the table and settled on the floor by my feet, checking out the guns laid out on the table. She picked up one of the smaller guns and turned it in her hand, her thumb brushing over the side.
“It’s been a while since I held one of these,” she said with a soft chuckle. “Not even sure I remember how to use it properly."
Dimitri let out a short laugh. “Yeah, right. I doubt that. The Anna that I know is a badass.”
“She still is,” I said quietly, looking down at her.
She turned her face up to me with a smile, and for a moment, everything slowed. I placed my hand gently over hers, guiding the gun from her fingers. Without needing to speak, we moved together in sync as we assembled the gun, sliding the parts into place, loading the magazine. Our hands brushed, and she didn’t pull away.
When the last piece clicked in, I looked down at her, but her eyes were already on mine, a quiet smile tugging at her lips.
“You two,” Camila muttered, shaking her head with a smirk. “Now I get it. The chemistry is insane.”
I cleared my throat and leaned back, grabbing the last gun and checking the safety.
One by one, we zipped up the duffel bags and filled them with loaded weapons and extra rounds. This was it. There’s no going back now.
Anna stood and picked up my vest that lay on a chair. She stepped closer and began slipping it onto me. I stood still as her hands worked, gently pulling the straps snug around my torso.
When she finished, she looked up, and I wanted time to stop at that moment, neither of us looking away.
Dimitri cleared his throat loudly. “Alright, lovebirds. We’re loading up.”
He grabbed one of the duffel bags and slung it over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
“Max will come to stay the night with you,” I told her. “He’s one of my best men.”
Anna nodded and hugged me. “Please come back alive.”
“Sure thing, Princess.” I exhaled slowly as I pulled away from her and grabbed a duffel bag, and made my way outside.
Max was already by the car, checking his weapon. I pulled him aside. “You don’t let anyone through. No calls, no visitors, nothing.”
He nodded. “I’ll hold the line.”
I clapped him on the shoulder and slid into the passenger seat as Dimitri started the engine, and Camila slid into the back.
It was time.