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Nikolay had to die, and he was thrilled to be on the team heading across to St. Petersburg to get the job done.

Simultaneously, his chest tightened. This could be his last mission. It was highly dangerous, and they all knew it.

I will never regret making love to her.

Not bonding could keep Ella alive if he died.

His father’s advice could save her. Who knew what the world was going to be like in a day, a week, a year? But if Mack took his last breath, knowing his death wasn’t taking Ella with him, then it was worth it.

That was real love.

She may never know, but he would.

“The mission is clear. Find Nikolay Mikhailov and kill him. Recover and destroy all the information he had on the serum, along with samples.” Brayden stood with his arms crossed as his strong voice boomed around the room.

“Yes, sir,” he and the others replied.

“This may be the most important task force in vampire history. That’s why Craig and Brayden have chosen you.” Vincent looked just as fierce.

Mack’s chest swelled with pride.

But like,fuck, no pressure.

Glancing around, Mack realized he’d missed the other names. Who else was going?

“Nikolay is our greatest threat. He has the serum and a super soldier. The exposure card has been played, but he’ll have other strategies up his sleeves. We are not chasing the tail anymore; we’re going straight for the head of the snake,” the king added.

“Munch fucking munch.” Craig rubbed his hands.

“We’ll get all five of you into Russia covertly and then you’ll be on your own.” Brayden’s muscles bunched as he crossed hisarms, and those bright eyes of his met every single male in the room.

“Then I want each of you fuckers back here. You’re highly trained and powerful Moretti warriors. One shot. Take him out. Then destroy everything the Bratva has about us, including the serum,” Brayden continued, the power in his speech sending shivers over Mack’s skin.

He felt the ripple spread throughout the room as the warriors all hummed roughly around him.

“Blow that shit up!” Craig grinned.

A number of males chuckled, then Marcus asked, “What about the soldier?”

“We don’t know where he is. He could be dead or have more power. Who fucking knows?” Ari said.

The soldier they referred to was another science experiment. There had been a handful, but only the one survived.

“You think Nikolay will try to replicate him?” Mack asked.

“Yup. Clone him, fuck he’d photocopy the guy if he thought he’d make money from it.” Ben turned in his seat.

The assassins had more experience with the crime families because of their work with Ari at The Institute. The private security company had decades of knowledge that the vampires had never been hugely interested in.

They’d never posed a threat to the race.

Drugs, trafficking, and weapons were their thing.

Plus, the crime families didn’t know they existed.

Until they goddamn did.

The Moretti’s had been focused on a rogue rebellion run by the Russo family: Roberto, Stefano, Luca, and Marco. Roberto and his three brothers had been killed for their crimes against the king. A small number of rebels still remained, which the king allowed. He might be the head of the monarchy, but he wasn’t a dictator.