NIKOLAI
"JONNY," I DRAWLED, crossing one leg over the other as I lounged against the railing, a cigarette dangling from my fingers. I didn't look at him, not yet. Men like him were so fucking predictable. They couldn't stop themselves from spilling everything the second the tension hit and I knew it was coming sooner.
He shuffled closer, fists clenched at his sides, his face flushed red like he was choking on his fear. He thrust a crumpled piece of paper at me, the coordinates scribbled in haste. "Here. These are the coordinates for your cargo. I didn't sell them—not yet. The buyer was supposed to meet me here on this ship, but he couldn't make it. When I dock in New York, that's where the exchange was supposed to happen."
I took the paper from his trembling hands, my lips curling into a slow, menacing grin. "Khoroshiy mal'chik, Jonny," I murmured, my voice mocking as I tapped his cheek with the back of my hand. He flinched, jerking away like I'd burned him.
"Don't fucking touch me," he hissed, glaring at me with the courage of a man who had nothing left to lose.
I chuckled darkly, letting the sound roll out. "Jonny, you're such a good boy," I mocked, flicking the paper between my fingers. "But next time, you don't make me chase you. Understand?"
"Stay the fuck away from my family, Nikolai," he said, his voice low but firm. "You've got what you want. Leave them out of this.
I laughed, leaning in until we were eye to eye. "Your family, Jonny? You think I care about your family? You're the one who dragged them into this mess."
I straightened, snapping my fingers. From the shadows, Andrei stepped forward, his boots clicking softly against the damp deck. He was soaked to the bone, his dark jacket clinging to his frame, but he moved with the silent confidence of a man who lived for orders.
"Check it," I said, handing him the paper. "Prover', idi smotri. Make sure my shit's all there."
Andrei nodded, slipping the paper into a waterproof bag that held his gun. Without hesitation, he walked to the edge of the ship, glanced over his shoulder at me for confirmation, and then dived into the water below.
Jonny's jaw dropped as he stared into the darkness where Andrei had disappeared.
"What the-"
"You thought I came here alone?" I asked, letting my amusement show as I lit another cigarette. The flick of the lighter illuminated his face, and I took a long drag before exhaling slowly. "You're dumber than you look, Jonny."
He turned to me, his face pale, but he didn't say a word. Good.
I stepped closer, grabbing the front of his suit jacket and pulling him in until our noses nearly touched. "If I find out you're lying..." I let the threat hang in the air, my fingers tightening just enough to make him squirm. "You won't just die, Jonny. You'll beg me for it first."
His breath hitched, his entire body trembling as he muttered, "it's all there. I swear."
I let him go, smoothing the fabric of his suit with mock care. "Good, Jonny. Very good."
He scurried off, his back hunched like a kicked dog. I turned back to the railing, gripping it tightly as I stared out at the endless expanse of water.
Claude's words from earlier echoed in my mind: Once we get off this ship, we're never seeing each other again.
The memory clawed at me. I'd laughed it off, teasing him like it didn't matter, but the truth was a bitter pill lodged in my throat.
He was staying behind, away from my world, and I was going back to Russia. Back to my cage.
I gritted my teeth. I couldn't afford to get attached. Attachments were weaknesses, and in my world, weaknesses got you killed.
With a growl, I pushed off the railing and made my way back to the room. The bed was a mess, the sheets tangled and still carrying Claude's scent. It was maddening, and yet I couldn't resist burying my face in the pillow. His scent wrapped around me, a reminder of what I couldn't have.
I didn't know when sleep took me, but when my eyes snapped open, the room was still bathed in dim light. My hand gripped the pillow, but the warmth I expected was gone.
Claude wasn't in bed with me.
I shot up, my gaze darting to the clock. 4:12 a.m.
"Chyort," I muttered, raking a hand through my hair as dread coiled in my gut. The room was empty, the bathroom door ajar just the way we left it.
He wasn't here.
I shoved my feet into my boots and stormed out, my heart pounding against my ribs as I searched for him. The ship was quiet, save for the occasional murmur of voices and the distant clink of glasses.
It didn't take me long to find the club. It was tucked away in the lower deck, its entrance guarded by two men who stepped in front of me as I approached.
"Pets only," one of them said, his tone flat.
I clenched my fists, barely resisting the urge to break his jaw. "I'm looking for my pet." I said coldly. "He's supposed to be here."
The guard shrugged, clearly unimpressed. "Rules are rules, sir."
Wrong answer.
I took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Move," I growled, my voice low with barely contained rage.
The guards exchanged a glance, and something in my expression must have given them pause. They stepped aside, and I pushed past them into the dimly lit club.
The air was heavy with smoke and the sickly sweet scent of alcohol. I scanned the room, my eyes narrowing as I searched for a familiar head of blond hair instead, my gaze landed on a figure slumped at the bar.
Jace.
He was nursing a drink, his shoulders hunched like he didn't have a care in the world.
"Where is he?" I asked, grabbing his wrist and yanking him to his feet.
His drink spilled, the glass shattering on the floor as he stared at me in shock.
"You're not allowed in here," he stammered, his bravado faltering as I tightened my grip.
"Where. Is. He?" | bit out, each word laced with barely contained anger.
"I-I don't know!"
Wrong answer again.
I dragged him out of the club, ignoring his protests and the curious glances from the remaining patrons. The guards didn't even try to stop me this time.
Once we were alone, I slammed him against the wall, my hand wrapping around his throat.
"Last chance," I said, my voice low and lethal. "Where the fuck is Claude?"
"Claude? I—"
"Tate!" I barked. "He was suppose to be with you."
His eyes widened, his hands clawing at mine as he gasped for air. "I...I sold him."
The world tilted, my grip loosening just enough for him to cough out the words.
"What did you say?"
He cringed, his body trembling as he tried to explain. "They—they paid me to bring him. I didn't know what they wanted, I swear! I just...I needed the money."
"What do you mean by you sold him?" My voice was low, dangerous. Anger boiled beneath my skin, though my body shook with the effort it took to hold it back.
The little bastard tried to scoot away, but he was trapped between me and the wall, his fear reeking in the air like filth.
"I-I was paid to bring Tate!" he stammered, his words slurring together in a pathetic attempt to save his sorry hide. "I don't know what they want with him, but I think… I think he'll be sold to the highest bidder."
The rush of blood pounding in my ears drowned out the rest of his excuses. My fists clenched so tight my knuckles cracked, the urge to put this scum six feet under almost too tempting to resist.
For sex.
My fist connected with his face before I even realized I'd moved. The sickening crunch of bone was satisfying, but it wasn't enough.
"Where did they take him?" I demanded, shaking him like a rag doll.
The idiot shook his head frantically, sweat dripping down his temples. "I-I don't know! They never tell me! All I do is drug the person and—"
"I don't give a fuck what you do," I growled, grabbing him by the collar. His head slammed into the wall, and the satisfying sound of the impact brought a twisted grin to my lips. "Where did they take him?"
"I swear, I don't know!" he cried, voice cracking, hands clawing at mine like a rat in a trap. "I'm sorry! I needed the money!"
"Sorry?" I sneered, yanking him closer to my face. "You think I give a fuck about your sorry ass? You sold him. You sold him, you piece of shit."
Another punch. This time, he crumpled to the floor with a painful groan, blood dripping from his nose and mouth.
I crouched beside him, gripping his hair and forcing him to meet my gaze. "If anything happens to him, l'll kill you. Do you understand?"
He nodded frantically, his sobs muffled by his ruined face.
I stood, wiping my hands on my coat as I turned toward the shadows.
Claude was out there somewhere, and whoever had taken him was about to learn what happened when you crossed Nikolai Vladimirovich.