Page 60 of Deadly Devotion
She gripped my face gently and dragged her lips over mine, kissing me deeply. The kiss was a promise, a plea, a silent bond I vowed not to break. Pulling away, I studied her face, memorizing every detail. With one final kiss, I left to meet Dimitri.
The café was a short drive from my place. The streets were calm before the city fully awoke, the morning light casting long shadows on the pavement. Dimitri was already there when I arrived, seated at a corner table, sipping coffee with a clear view of the entrance. He nodded as I approached, his expression serious.
“What’s the situation?” he asked once I sat down.
I filled him in on Vic’s call to Talia, my voice low but urgent. Dimitri listened, his eyes narrowing in thought, his fingers tapping steadily on the table.
“We need to hit back hard,” he said when I finished. “We can’t let him think he has the upper hand.”
A waitress wearing a bright yellow apron approached the table. “What can I get you?” she asked, smiling pleasantly.
“Coffee,” I replied curtly, eager to get her away from the table. Nodding, she spun on her heels, leaving us to our conversation.
“Let’s contact Tommy Lansky again,” I suggested. “He might have more information on Vic. And call Denis. Tell him we need to get a location on that motherfucker.”
Before we could delve deeper into our planning, my phone buzzed. Olga’s name flashed on the screen. I answered, expecting it to be a routine check-in.
“Good morning, Mr. Avilov. I don’t mean to disturb you, but the children want to go to the park,” she said, her voice slightly strained. “They’re begging to ride the carousel.”
I sighed, glancing at Dimitri. “Let them go. They need some fresh air.”
“There’s more,” Olga continued. “They want Talia to come with them. They want to ride the carousel together.”
My initial reaction was to say no. It was too risky. But then I thought about Talia. Maybe a change of scenery would do her some good after everything that’s happened.
“Fine,” I said reluctantly. “Talia can go. But I’m sending two of my men with you for security.”
“Thank you, Mr. Avilov,” Olga said, relief evident. “I think this will be good for all of them.”
I hung up and turned back to Dimitri. “We need to wrap this up quickly.”
We spent the next hour strategizing and refining our plan to take down Vic. When we were done, I felt a cold resolve settle over me.
Dimitri left cash on the table and messaged all our vors as we left the café to meet at the art gallery. When we arrived, they were already gathered in the back room, eager to hear the plan.
“Vic is planning to make a move,” I ground out. “We’re going to get to him first and end his miserable life.”
I went over every detail, ensuring everyone knew their role. There was no room for error. Vic was dangerous and unpredictable. They all nodded in agreement, dispersing to get ready to take him down.
As we left the gallery, my phone rang again. Olga’s name once more. A cold dread settled in my gut as I answered.
Olga’s voice was a frantic scream. “They’re gone! They’re gone!”
My heart stopped. “What happened?” I demanded.
“They were waiting in line for the carousel,” she sobbed. “I left to use the restroom. Josh stayed with Talia and the children, and Lev escorted me.” She choked on her sobs, barely able to get the words out.
“When I returned to the carousel, they were gone!” she cried. “Lev and I looked around for them but found Josh instead. He was on the ground behind a tree. He’s dead.” She sobbed into the phone, breathing hard.
A red haze descended over my vision. “Where are you now?” I barked.
“I’m still by the carousel. Lev is speaking with the police. Please hurry, Mr. Avilov, you have to find them!”
“I will,” I vowed, my voice like steel. “Stay there. We’re coming.”
I ended the call and turned to Dimitri, fury and fear warring within me. “Vic has taken Talia and the children. Josh is dead. Call Anton and Boris. We need everyone looking for them.”
Dimitri’s expression mirrored my own rage. “We’ll get them back, brat. And when we do, we’ll cut off that bastard’s head.”