Chapter 51 Relax Pakhan
Maxim's POV
The night was all-consuming, with not a star in sight. It was nearing 11 pm as we pulled up to the wrought-iron gates marking the entrance to my son's compound.
Immediately, I noticed there were six guards stationed around the immediate perimeter of the gate. A young guard, looking no older than 20, walked up to my car, and I rolled the window down.
Before I could even state my name, the young man's jaw dropped, "Pakhan.....Pakhan, it's an honor." Running from the car, he shouted at the other guards, "The Pakhan is here. The Pakhan of Kapotnya is here!!!!!!!"
A smile emerged on my face as I watched them scramble like ants to open the gate and announce my presence.
The gates creaked open with the enormous force it took to open them. Slowly, my town car entered, going down the half-mile driveway to the main house. It's been a long time since I last visited my son's house, and it gave me immense pride to see everything he's accomplished.
Looking out the window of the car, I did a double-take to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me. There on the right-hand side of the property in the air was a drone circulating the perimeter, and just behind it was a sniper's nest situated on top of the gate.
I knew security was at an all-time high, and seeing that my son took the advice I gave him to employ all necessary security protocols warmed my villainous heart.
We finally, after what felt like a lifetime, pulled up in front of the house. Before the car could even come to a complete stop, I gave the driver a stern command, "Get me the fuck out of this car!"
Slamming on the brakes a little too hard, jerking me forward into the driver's seat, I grunt. Hurriedly, the driver comes and opens my door, "I'm sorry, Pakahan, for the delay." Leaving me to glance up at the house, he goes to the trunk and grabs my suitcases.
Looking around, the spotlights are on, lighting up the beautiful European-style manicured gardens that I knew for a fact the gardener I sent from Moscow took three years to finish.
Looking around, I only saw two guards patrolling the perimeter. Knowing my son wasn't here, I wasn't expecting a grand welcoming, but I was still expecting someone to welcome me at the front door at least, owing me the respect my station deserved.
After waiting five more minutes, I huffed as I made it up the stairs to the front door, and the only thought going through my head was that I'm getting too old for this shit. Before I could even take another step, the door flung open, leaving me speechless.
A middle-aged, plus-size woman flung the door open, screaming with tears in her eyes, "Alexanderrrrr........." stopping mid-sentence as she saw me standing there.
Who......the....fuck....is....this....woman???????
"I thought.....I thought.....I thought you were Aleksander," the woman stammered with a blush creeping up her face. She didn't know whether to run back in the house from me or come up to me, but she shouldn't be afraid.
My son never told me about a woman. He doesn't take women, not since he dated Viktor's bitch of a daughter. Yes, he would go to a club and pick up a woman here or there, but he'd never bring someone to his house. She has to be a spy.
Immediately, I reached for my weapon. Noticing the shock and fear that came over her face, I said, "Good, you should be scared."
"Now answer me this.....Who are you? And why the fuck are you at my son's compound?" I slowly aimed my weapon straight at her heart. I might be elderly, but I'm still vicious and the Pakhan.
"You have three seconds, little girl, to answer me....one....twoooooo....," before I could even get to three, Henry, one of my son's trusted men under Dimitri, ran out of the door and jumped in front of her.
"What is the meaning of this, Henry?" My voice cut through the night air, firm and commanding.
Henry visibly paled....... "Pakhan, we weren't expecting you so early. She thought you were Alexsander."
Still not lowering my weapon, I waved it in her direction, "Who is this woman?"
Seeing this woman peek over Henry's shoulder didn't do anything to help my mood. Spitting, I took another step forward. Disobedience is not to be tolerated.
Henry could see the look in my eye and quickly opened his mouth, "Pakhan, my apologies. I thought your son told you."
"Well, obviously, Henry, as you can tell, he didn't tell me a god damn thing."
Not knowing how it was even fathomable, Henry paled some more.
His voice slightly shaky, but protective, "Pakhan, this is Maria," he said, pointing to the woman standing behind him. "A few weeks ago, your son was at her diner where she worked. While serving him, an assassin came in and tried to shoot your son point-blank in the face."
Someone tried to assassinate my son in broad daylight? Lowering my gun, I felt myself beginning to hyperventilate. Clenching my fists, I did my best to try and get my breathing under control to finish listening to what Henry had to say.
"Pakhan....are you OK?" Henry asked, coming towards me.
Lifting my hand to stop him, I said one word, "Continue."
Glancing at me, then back up to Maria, he opened his mouth and continued, "When the assassin came in, she saw the gun. She pushed the man to save your son, and in the process, she got shot as well."
My head was reeling—so much information left out. First, I heard about Dimitri getting assaulted and kidnapped, and now to find out that the blood of my blood was almost assassinated in broad daylight. Did my authority weaken so much that people would now dare to threaten my family?
I guess it was a good time for me to come and find out what the fuck is actually going on.
"I need to sit down NOW!" I shouted, having them all jump back into their senses. The girl, Maria, scuffled back into the house, going somewhere that I didn't see her, which is for the best. Henry came and grabbed my arm, helping me up the rest of the stairs.
Going into the living room, I took my shoes off, sliding them to the side. Sitting down in one of the leather recliners, I felt my body sink into the softness, making me visibly relax. Not realizing how tense my muscles were, I rolled my shoulders, pulling out a Cuban cigar from my coat pocket. I gestured for Henry to sit down.
Lighting my cigar, I inhaled deeply, the nicotine entering my system calming me like someone smelling fragrances at a spa.
Looking over at Henry, I murmured, "I guess there's been a lot Aleksander or Dimitri hasn't been telling dear old dad."
With a smile promising trouble, I wait for Henry to spill everything.