Chapter 19

**Vadim**


I took the leather jacket off and threw it on the bed. Regina’s son was right. This place is creepy. Even for me, it gives me chills. Hopefully, Norman Bates doesn’t stab me to death in my sleep or when I take a shower. I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes. All I want is my family back. A knock pulled me out of my thoughts. I sighed and got up to answer it.

Adam stood on the other side with a paper bag. “I know this isn’t what you’re used to, but it’s the best I can do. Double cheeseburger and french fries.”

“Not sure I can eat.” I muttered.

Not when I was too worried about Jules and Alexei. Not to mention if my baby was still alive.

I took the bag from Adam and frowned when he stepped inside. He sighed. “I sent two of my men to the location I got in Colorado. They should have something for me in a few hours.”

“I thought… I thought I would go…”

Adam cut me off. “You can’t afford to be seen. Not when we don’t know what we’re dealing with. Yuri and Adrian might have a hit on you. I promised my mother you’d come back in one piece.”

“Nobody can touch me.”

“But yet, they took your family. I’m only trying to… listen, we’ll find Adrian’s location and find your family. I swear to my last breath, I’ll bring Jules and Alexei back home.”

“My child, Jules is with child.”

“Do you want me to stay with you? I’m sure they have some vodka down in the lobby.”

I shook my head slowly. “I’ll be okay. I just need to take a shower and get some rest.”

“And eat?”

I offered him a small smile. “You are so much like your mother it’s scary.”

“Is that a yes?”

“I’ll eat.” I agreed.

Not sure it’ll stay down, but I’ll try.
“I’ll come back when I hear something.”

He walked out the door, leaving me holding the bag of food. I would try to eat. If only a few bites, at least I kept my promise to Adam. I managed to eat half my burger and a few fries. I took a drink of the can of Coke and felt a wave of exhaustion come over me. I staggered to the bed and as soon as I hit the pillow, I was out.

I woke up in a cold sweat and held my chest. I dreamed the same thing as earlier. Only this time, Alexei shot me in the chest. I ran my hand through my hair and shook the negative thoughts away.

Knock. Knock.

I looked through the peephole and saw Adam on the other side. Hopefully, his men found my brother. I’m so ready to draw some blood. I opened the door and whispered. “Tell me you found him.”

“Not exactly.” He muttered.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“You need to come with me and see for yourself.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m staring at Alexei. It looks like him, but something is off. I stared him in the eyes and studied his features. He raised his head and whispered. “I’m sorry, boss, but the baby didn’t make it. I-I… tried, but Yuri overpowered me.”

“Are you sorry?”

He nodded slowly.

“Who are you really? You must think of me to be an idiot.” I growled.

“What…”

I grabbed him by the collar and leaned in dangerously close. He widened his eyes and gasped when whispered in his ear. “You’re not him.”

“Please, boss. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I glanced at Adam and nodded, giving him the signal. While Adam’s team was tracking Adrian’s location, Adam did some digging. It seems Alexei has a twin. Did Alexei know? And more importantly, was this Alexei or his twin?

“Prove it. Tell me something only Alexei would know.”

“I-I… I know you…”

Got you, fucker.

I raised my brow and cocked my head to the side. “Just as I thought. You are an imposter. A phony. What have you done with Alexei and Jules? Better yet, tell me where Adrian is. I promise you a quick death if you cooperate.”

He narrowed his eyes and hissed. “You want to know where you’re beloved Alexei and Jules is? Fine, I’ll tell you. Alexei should be suffering by Yuri’s hands. And for Jules, she has decided to switch sides. She is to be married to Adrian soon.”

“Liar!” I growled, connecting my fist with his jaw. “Jules would never betray me. Never!”

“She would and you damn well know it. Adrian told me to deliver a message.” He replied. “He says he’ll take real good care of her.”

Another punch.

“I was going to kill you quickly if you told me what I wanted to know, but you just had to piss me off, didn’t you?”

I was about to punch him again when Adam stopped me. “Don’t Vadim, maybe we can use him to our advantage.”

“How? I want Yuri’s head on a stick.”

“Come on, let’s go have a chat.”

Alexei’s twin let out a harsh breath and whispered. “If you kill me, Yuri will come for you.”

“Good, I’ll be waiting for him. Then, I’ll slit your throat and watch him suffer as I have. Then, he’ll know what it’s like to feel the pain I’ve felt ever since Alexei and Jules were taken.”

It wasn’t a threat, it’s a promise.
A promise make all of them suffer for taking from me.

Adam and I stood outside the warehouse and shared a look. He knew this was a dead end. This was what Yuri and Adrian wanted. To distract me from Alexei and Jules. I will find them and bring them home, but not before I kill each and every motherfucker for putting them in danger. More specifically, my unborn child.

“My child can’t be dead.” I didn’t want to believe my son or daughter didn’t make it.

“Your child isn’t dead.” Adam assured me.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked.

“If that was the truth, Yuri would have sent you proof. He didn’t hesitate to send the video the first time. He’s scared… why do you think he sent Alexei’s twin as a distraction?”

“You’re sure?”

He nodded. “Jules wouldn’t betray you. She loves you. As does Alexei. You will be reunited with them soon and when you do, you will see. You’re child will live. If your son or daughter was really dead, Yuri and Adrian wouldn’t have hesitated to send proof. We’ll lay low for a day and see what my team can find.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

He smirked. “I have a location on Adrian. They’re not the only ones who can send a distraction.”

“You sly motherfucker, you truly are Regina’s son.”

“I have one of my girls posing as a prostitute. Adrian will take the bait and when he does, he won’t know what hit him literally.”