Page 88 of Twisted Pact

“How many men? Where?” He’s already getting dressed. “No. Don’t do anything until I get there. Nothing.”

He hangs up and looks at me with something that might be fear.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Your father’s been kidnapped. Novikov’s men grabbed him outside his attorney’s office an hour ago.”

The words don’t compute immediately. Papa. Kidnapped. By the same family that’s been threatening us for weeks.

“Is he—” I can’t finish the question.

“I’m going to get him back.”

He’s fully dressed now, and I slide off the table and start gathering my clothes. Reality has crashed back with devastating efficiency.

“Alexei?”

“Yeah?”

“Get him back. Whatever it takes, get my father back.”

24

Alexei

The bunker’s secure landline rings just after I finish getting dressed.

I stop halfway to the door and stare at the device. Mila sits on the edge of the bed watching me with a desperate hope, waiting for me to confirm that I’m going to save the only family she has left.

I pick up the receiver. Boris’s voice comes through the encrypted connection.

“Intelligence update on the Andreev situation,” he starts. “You need to hear this before you do something stupid, and Dmitri said that from now on, we use secure lines only.”

“Talk.”

“Novikov’s holding Leonid at a warehouse in the industrial district. Same location they used for the Petrov interrogation last year. Security includes at least twelve men on rotating shifts.”

I lean against the concrete wall and process the information. The industrial district means limited escape routes. The Petrovlocation means they chose somewhere with established torture facilities.

“Professional setup designed to prevent exactly what you’re planning,” Boris continues. “This is a trap, Alexei. They want you to come after him.”

“Yeah, I already figured that out.”

“Then you also know that this violates every principle of tactical engagement we’ve ever followed. Open approach. Superior numbers. Defensive positioning that eliminates tactical advantages.”

Mila stands and walks closer, trying to hear both sides of the conversation. Her face is pale, but her mouth is set in a determined line.

“Recommendations?” I ask Boris.

“Walk away. Leonid knew the risks when he chose this life. His capture is unfortunate but not worth compromising family security or risking your life.”

The suggestion makes perfect sense strategically. Leonid Andreev is a useful ally, but not irreplaceable. Rescuing him would require resources and risk that could be better allocated to protecting more important assets.

But then I take one look at Mila, and I know that’s not an option.

“I’m not walking away.”

“Alexei—”