Chapter 12 - An Uneasy Alliance|
The iron gates of the estate closed behind us with a reassuring clang. The storm had fully broken over the mountains, rain lashing against the stone walls of the mansion. I had Igor escorted to a secure guest room in the east wing—comfortable, but guarded by two of my most loyal men.
I found Clara in the basement safe room. Emma was asleep on a cot, completely oblivious to the chaos unraveling miles below in the city.
"Tell me everything," Clara demanded, her arms crossed. She was frightened, but her eyes held a fierce determination.
I quickly recounted the events at the Red Lotus, the third-party ambush, and my suspicion about the Corsican syndicate. "They used Viktor Volkov’s ambition as a smokescreen. They wanted us to wipe each other out."
"And the man upstairs? Igor?"
"He's Viktor's lieutenant. Keeping him alive is our only leverage. Tomorrow, I have to contact Viktor and convince him that we are not the enemy."
Clara sighed, rubbing her temples. "Thirteen years, Sebastian. We were supposed to be done with this life."
"I know," I whispered, pulling her into an embrace. "And we will be. I just have to cut out this last cancer before it spreads."
Morning came too quickly. I sat in my study, a secure phone line open on my desk. Marcus had managed to get a direct number to Viktor Volkov. I dialed, listening to the hollow ringing.
"Who is this?" a cold, heavily accented voice answered.
"This is Sebastian Vale. I have your lieutenant, Igor. He is alive, well, and currently enjoying my hospitality."
May you like
There was a long pause. "If you have harmed him, Vale, there will be no corner of this earth where you can hide."
"I didn't harm him, Viktor. I saved him. The Corsicans are back. We need to meet, face-to-face, before they burn both our empires to the ground."
