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“Charlie has Quinn.” The words taste like acid on my tongue.
Lara screams through the phone in shock. “What? How? I just saw her!”
“You were together?” I ask.
“Doesn’t matter now,” Denis adds. “Tell us what happened.”
“I don't know,” I grit out. “Charlie called from her phone and threatened to kill her if I didn’t show up to meet him alone. So I'm going to get her back.”
Vladimir interrupts. “We're coming with you.”
“No,” I say vehemently. “He said to come alone. I'm not risking Quinn's life.”
“You can't go by yourself, Mark. It's too dangerous,” Denis argues.
“I don't have a choice!” My voice rises, desperation clawing at my insides. “He'll kill her if I don't play by his rules.”
Abram’s voice rings through. “Okay, let's think about this strategically. We can't send you in there without backup.”
“I'll wear a wire,” I say impatiently. “But I have to go alone. At least initially. You can come for me if you don’t hear from me within a few hours.”
“No, Mark, stop!” Lara screeches so loudly that we’re all forced to listen. “Listen. You can go today and bring her back, sure. But chances are Letvin won’t let you walk out. Even if he does, he’ll pull a stunt like that again when he discovers how much Quinn means to you. If you let him win this time, he’ll always win.”
“She’s right,” Abram sounds impressed.
“So what do you suggest?” I ask, through gritted teeth.
“I say we bring him down once and for all,” Vladimir speaks.
“How?”
“By going through on our last threat. To make him fear us, there must be consequences.”
“You’re saying—”
“The Letvins. It’s time that bastard’s family knows what their precious Charlie is up to. Please, Mark. Let’s call for an urgent meeting with the Letvins. It’ll only take an hour at the most and who knows? They might know just how to help,” Abram insists.
“Yes, Mark. You can’t do this alone,” Lara whispers.
I close my eyes and think about their proposition. Last time, we had cornered Charlie and told him we’d go straight to his family if he ever laid a hand on Quinn. If we don’t follow through on our threat, then they’re right, he’d think us weak and pull a stunt like today’s all over again.
“Deal. See you at the Letvins,” I end the call.
***
I drive to the Letvins’ territory, my heart pounding against my ribs. The air is thick with tension as I approach the meeting spot, a double-storied house fifteen minutes from where I am. My brothers are already here. I told Lara to stay back and call the Orlovs if she does not hear from us within the hour.
I park my car and catch up with Abram, Vladimir, and Denis. Together, we walk up the stairs and ring the bell. A man opens the door, leading us to a living room.
We spot Gavril and Maksim Letvin, Charlie’s younger cousins, waiting for us. Their faces are grim.
“Gentlemen.” Gavril nods curtly. “Welcome.”
“Cut the bullshit, Gavril,” I snap. “You know your precious brother Charlie has Quinn.”
Maksim shifts uncomfortably. “We don't want any part of this, you all know that. Charlie's gone too far this time.”
“Not just this time,” Gavril adds. “He’s a loose cannon and the entire clan is always watching their back, always waiting for him to make one more mistake.”