Page 25 of Deadly Legacy (The House of Matvei #3)

While the tech analyst worked under Alexei’s supervision, Nikon studied Andrey’s gaunt face. “Moscow? You really think you can just go back to Russia and start over?”

“It’s where I belong,” Andrey said softly. “Always have.”

Grigorii snorted. “And we’re supposed to believe you’ll stay there? Not come back to cause more trouble?”

Andrey’s eyes lifted, meeting Grigorii’s gaze directly for the first time. “I never fit in here. The drugs, the streets... this life.” He gestured vaguely around him. “America was always your dream, not mine.”

“So you betrayed us because you were homesick?” Nikon’s voice carried a dangerous edge.

“No.” Andrey’s shoulders sagged. “I betrayed you because I was weak. Stupid. Jealous.” His voice dropped even lower. “I thought Dmitrii offered a way out from always being in your shadows.”

Something flickered in his expression... a moment of yearning quickly suppressed. “Maybe, back home, I’ll find something there I couldn’t find here.”

“A clean slate,” Grigorii said flatly.

Andrey nodded. “Not forgiveness. I know that’s gone. But maybe... peace.”

“It’s clean,” Alexei announced, breaking the tense moment. “No tracking software, no bugs.” He connected the phone to their system, and the bunker’s screens filled with data-surveillance photos, maps, and documents.

“Look at this,” Alexei said, sorting through files. “Three safe houses, security rotations, surveillance logs. Everything we need.”

The locations appeared on separate monitors with blueprints overlaid in glowing blue lines marking entry points and security systems.

“Talk us through these,” Nikon told Andrey, gesturing to the screens.

Andrey stood, studying the surveillance feeds. “The weapons cache at the main base is behind a false wall in the loading bay - there’s a keypad, but I’ve never seen them use it. The right side digits are worn down.”

Andrey’s eyes moved to the second screen. “Roman’s crew doesn’t know about the maintenance entrance on the east side of the warehouse. No cameras there.”

His hand shifted to the third image. “The surveillance hub runs on an isolated network, but they have to connect to the main grid for system updates. Usually happens in the early morning hours when traffic is low.”

“And we should risk our people based on your word?” Grigorii asked.

“Not just his word,” Alexei interrupted, displaying text messages and location data. “Everything seems to check out against what we already know.”

Nikon paced the room’s perimeter. “We hit all three at once. Alexei, call our friend at City Planning.”

“Already on it,” Alexei replied, phone in hand. “By morning, all three properties will be flagged for emergency inspection violations. Their operations will be frozen.”

Grigorii examined the warehouse blueprint. “I’ll handle the second location personally. Take out Roman, and their command structure falls apart.”

“Keep it quiet,” Nikon reminded him. “We don’t need more police attention.”

“Unlike you,” Grigorii’s mouth twitched in a rare smile, “I know how to solve problems without making the evening news.”

Nikon turned to the surveillance hub screen. “What have they been watching?”

“Reuben, mostly.” Alexei pulled up dozens of photos; Reuben entering Matthew Capital, meeting investors, walking to his car.

“They’ve been tracking him for weeks,” Nikon said, his voice tight.

“And planning to grab him tomorrow,” Alexei added, opening a document with a timeline. “They’ve got three different scenarios mapped out based on his possible movements. They’re ready to strike as soon as an opportunity presents itself.”

“Stepan.” Nikon’s head of security materialized at his side. “Triple Reuben’s security detail. Use our best people.”

“Already done, Sir.” Stepan confirmed. “Team deployed twenty minutes ago.”

“Then we move tomorrow at dawn,” Grigorii declared. “Hit all three locations simultaneously.”

“Wait.” Andrey’s voice cut through the air. “There’s something else you need to know.”

The brothers turned to him.

“Dmitrii isn’t staying at any of those safe houses,” Andrey said quietly. “He has a fourth location only he and his bodyguard know about.”

The room went silent. Nikon approached him slowly. “Where?”

“The old boat yard by the river. Underground bunker beneath the east warehouse. Entry behind the filing cabinet in the manager’s office.”

“How do you know this?” Grigorii demanded.

“He showed me once,” Andrey admitted, looking away. “When he was drunk. Said it was where he’d keep Reuben after taking him.”

Nikon’s phone vibrated with a message from Reuben:

Finalized the Quantize Guard deal! Coming home early. Tell your security team they stick out like sore thumbs.

“Your call,” Grigorii said to Nikon. “Do we trust him?”

Alexei glanced between his brothers. “Everything Andrey’s told us checks out so far.”

“I just want my ticket to Moscow,” Andrey said, almost whispering. “After that, I’m gone.”

Nikon studied his brother, his military training kicking in as he assessed the tactical risk. Andrey was weak, desperate... but desperation could make men dangerous. Still, everything he’d provided so far had checked out.

Nikon exchanged a long look with Grigorii, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. If Reuben were here, he’d be able to read every nuance in Andrey’s body language. But this wasn’t about truth or deception anymore; it was about tactical advantage.

“We prepare a team,” Nikon told Stepan. “And hit the boat yard tonight. The other locations too.”

“Should we inform Reuben, sir?” Stepan asked.

Nikon considered how to respond. Eight months ago, he would have made decisions without consulting Reuben. Six months ago, he’d have issued orders. Three months ago, he’d have demanded Reuben come to the compound.

Nikon glanced down at Reuben’s text again, then typed a response on his phone:

Dmitrii’s planning something. Extra security team en route. They’ll maintain distance per your protocols.