Page 80 of Tainted Empire
The realization that Alexei is still out there, wounded but free, sends a chill down my spine. He’s dangerous, more so now that he’s desperate.
“We’ll find him, Mikhail,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “He won’t get far, not in his state.”
Mikhail nods, his jaw set in a hard line. “I’ll mobilize everyone. He won’t get far. And when we find him...”
His voice trails off, but the unspoken promise hangs in the air. Alexei’s betrayal has crossed a line, and there’s no going back.
As we coordinate with our men, scouring every inch of the property and beyond, the night turns into a tense hunt for a wounded predator. Alexei has shown his true colors, and now it’s a matter of finding him before he can strike again.
The penthouse, once a sanctuary, now feels like a battlefield.
Further surveillance footage reveals a new piece of the puzzle, deepening our concern. The camera near the edge of the building captures a dark, unmarked car parked a distance away.
We watch as Alexei, staggering and clearly wounded, makes his way to the vehicle. Someone inside helps him in before the car speeds off into the night.
“Son of a bitch had a getaway plan,” I mutter, fury simmering beneath the surface. “I should have fucking known.”
I lean in to get a better look at the footage. The car is nondescript, blending into the night – the perfect vehicle for a stealthy getaway. “He’s been planning this for a long time, Mikhail. He knew exactly what he was doing.”
Mikhail’s face is a mask of fury and betrayal. “I trusted him. He was like family. And now...”
His voice trails off, the depth of the betrayal cutting deep. I place a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort in this storm of betrayal and chaos.
Mikhail nods, his eyes hard with resolve. “I want everyone on this. No stone unturned. Get the footage to our guys. I want that car found, and I want to know who’s behind the wheel.”
As we issue orders and set the manhunt in motion, the penthouse buzzes with activity. Security is tightened, checkpoints are set up, and our people scour every possible exit route.
It seems Alexei didn’t just turn on us; he had been plotting, enlisting others in his vendetta against us.
“Mikhail, we’ll find him,” I say, placing a hand on his arm. “He can’t hide forever.”
Mikhail looks at me, his eyes filled with fury. “When we find him, I’ll personally make sure he pays for every drop of blood he’s spilled tonight.”
It’s clear that Mikhail is taking this personally, but I know now this is more than just a fight for control; it’s a fight for our very survival. And in this fight, there is no room for mercy.
Chapter 42
Mikhail
Two days have passed since Alexei’s betrayal unfolded, and the sting of his deceit still feels fresh. I’m sitting in my office, surrounded by my father, Lee, Lorenzo, and Ivan. The weight of the situation is heavy in the room as I recount everything we’ve uncovered about Alexei.
“Can you believe this shit?” I start, my voice laced with disbelief and fury. “Alexei, that fucker, has been planning his revenge for years. Turns out he’s Dasha’s brother. Anatoly was training him, but when Anatoly realized Alexei was with me, he thought the kid had turned.”
My father, his expression grave, shakes his head in dismay. “That’s a deep-seated vendetta. To think he was right under our noses the entire time...”
Lee’s fists are clenched, her face a picture of fury. “And we fell for it. He sent us on a wild goose chase after that pianist, Devon.”
I nod, my hand gripping the armrest of my chair. “Yeah, and that’s not even the worst part. Alexei was working with Gabriette’s father. He was behind Sophia’s murder and blackmailed Alberto.”
The room falls into a stunned silence. The extent of Alexei’s machinations is almost too much to take in.
Ivan, leaning forward, adds, “The question is, what do we do now? He’s slipped through our fingers.”
“That’s the fucking kicker,” I growl in frustration. “He was caught taking a private jet to Berlin. He’s untouchable now.”
My father, always the voice of reason, speaks up. “We need to be careful how we proceed. Berlin is out of the question since the fuck up the other night, and we can’t afford a war there.”
I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the situation. “I know, Pappa, but this is personal. Alexei played us for fools, used our trust against us. I’ve put a hit out on him for 20 mil, he’s bound to show up dead or alive.”