Chapter 15

**Vadim**


I tapped my fingers on the table, waiting for Regina’s son to arrive. I wasn’t completely sober, but close enough. All I wanted was to bring Jules and Alexei back home to me. That is, if they’re still alive. Regina placed a cup of coffee in front of me and sighed. “He’s on his way.”

“Do you think they survived?”

“I have hope. Alexei is a fighter and Jules, she is a survivor.”

“The baby?”

“I have been praying for them every night. Now, drink up. You don’t want your coffee to get cold.”

Adrik shadowed me since last night. I don’t hate him, but he’ll never be Alexei. Regina left the room to answer the door. When she returned, there was someone following her. A man about my age in a three-piece suit. He took a seat and offered me his hand. I shook it.

“You must be Vadim. I’m Adam, Regina’s son.”

“I hear that you can help me bring my wife home.”

Jules wasn’t my wife yet, but he didn’t need to know that. He glanced at Regina and said. “Give us a moment. I need to…”

“It’s okay. She can stay. I don’t hide secrets from her.”

He nodded and pulled out a card, sliding it across the table to me. I picked up the card and glanced down at it.

Adam Pelosi
Private P.I.

“Private Investigator?”

He nodded. “Among other things, but yes, I’m mainly an investigator. Whatever you need, I’m your man. I need a description and pictures if you have them.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out two pictures. One of Alexei and myself. The other, a picture of a younger Jules. I slid them across the table and said. “Jules is older now, but the one of Alexei is current.”

He smiled and picked up the pictures. “I’ll get on this immediately.”

I pulled out my checkbook, but he shook his head. “You can pay me when we bring your family home.”

“Are you…”

“I’m sure. Besides, I’m doing this as a favor to my mother’s boss.”

Regina led him away and I found myself making my way to my bedroom. No, not my room. Our room. The room I made love to Alexei and Jules. The one where I held Jules for the first time. I glanced around the room and felt a sharp pain in my chest. It hurt. It fucking goddamn hurt to not be with them. I fell to my knees and my palms hit the floor.

“Why?! Tell my why you took them away.” I croaked out.

I wasn't a religious man, but dammit, I was going to pray. For him. Her. My unborn child. To give me hope.

Bowing my head, I put my hands together and folded them. “God, if you're listening, I need your help. My family was taken. I just need to know that they'll be okay. That they are still alive. Give me a sign. Anything. Just give me something.”

I raised my head and to my surprise something happened. The picture on the wall fell to the floor. My breath hitched as a tear rolled down my cheek. Glass shattered, giving me hope.

Is this a sign?
Did God just answer my prayer?

“Tell them I love them and I'm coming for them. Very soon.”

“Vadim,” Regina whispered. “We’ll bring them home. My son is very good at what he does.”

Regina placed her hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. I wanted to think that I could save them.

But could I?
Could I be the man I needed to be in order to bring them back?

I raised my head and for once, I didn’t care that I was breaking down in front of her. That I was slowly starting to become weak. Or that I was crying. It didn’t matter anymore. For once in my life, I had a weakness. Jules and Alexei.

“I need a drink.”

“I’ll have Adrik get…”

“No! You. I want you to do it. And make it strong.”

***

I glared down at the bastard husband that sold Jules to Yuri. Fucking disgusting. Him and his wife was supposed to keep Jules safe. As much as Adrik got on my nerves, he was good at what he did. So was Saveli. Adrik nodded as he tugged on the rope. “Secure, boss.”

I glanced at Saveli and Arianna. I knew he hated that Arianna was a killer now. But that’s a story for another time. This is my story. My time.

“P-please, he...”

Arianna, took a fistful of hair and yanked his head back. “Quiet, asshole! Boss tells you when you can speak.”

Damn.
I like her.

I curled my lip in disgust and sneered. “You know why you’re here, yes?”

He whimpered.

“He asked you a fucking question! Answer him.” Arianna growled.

“Y-yes. I… betrayed you.”

At least he knows what he did.

“You betrayed me in the worst way. You conspired with Yuri and sold Jules to him. And for what, a few lousy dollars. How much did he pay you?”

“One million.” He whispered. “You don’t…”

Arianna held her knife against his throat. “Shut your mouth, fucker. You don’t get to talk right now. You don’t get to tell him how Yuri threatened you.”

I held my hand up to quiet Arianna.

“It’s okay, Arianna. I understand that he’s a stupid man. So, let me clear it up for him. You see, you fucked up. I told you what would happen to you if you ever crossed me, yes?”

He nodded weakly.
“You’re wife.” I chuckled. “She was quick to throw you under the bus. Said it was all you. Tell me, was it your idea?”

“N-no.” He screamed. “I… he…”

“I… he…” I mocked. “You’re just as pathetic as Cora was.”

He swallowed hard. “Was?”

Arianna leaned down and laughed. “She’s dead. I killed her. She was so pathetic, just like you will be when you take your last breath.”

“Please,” he begged. “I’ll do anything. just tell me what you want me to do.”

“It’s too late for you. I promise you one thing. You’re going to die a very painful death.”

“Show me mercy!” He cried.

“The only mercy you get is… oh hell, you’re not worthy of any mercy.”

I took a step forward and ordered Arianna. “Tilt his head back and open his mouth.”

I put on a leather glove, reaching into my pocket to retrieve the vile. I had a special poison made just for him. It slowly works its way into your body and eats you up. One by one, each system in your body shuts down. The perfect death for a pathetic man.

I twisted the cap off and slid the liquid into his mouth. He gagged and gurgled. Not that it did him any good. Arianna has already closed his mouth with her gloved hand and squeezed his nose. After a few moments, she released him and stepped back.

“What have you done?” He managed through choked gasps.

“What I should have done a long time ago. I do hope you enjoy your last hours. I give you twenty-four hours or less until your last breath.”

“Fuck you,”

I laughed. “No, fuck you. Make sure to tell Cora hello when you get to hell.”

One down.
A few more to go.
Well, a few more, depending on how many people get in my way.