Chapter 21

Vadim

I paced the room and ran my hand over my face. How could Alexei have a twin? This was all too surreal. I stopped pacing and took a deep breath. I glanced at the knife and clenched my jaw. He’d talk. Even if I had to torture him until he caved. Break him nice and slow. I grabbed the knife and stormed out of the room, making my way to where Alexei’s look alike was being held.

I entered the room and held the tip of the knife to his throat. His eyes flew open, panicked and disorientated. Obviously from the drugs we injected him with.

“Tell me where they are.” I sneered.

“It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters anymore. Adrian will win. You will lose.”

“Yeah? I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Yuri and my brother might have spies, but so do I. I will find them and bring them home. Alive.”

He laughed. “You may win, but in the end, you’ll still lose. Alexei isn’t going to be the same man you remember. Yuri will make sure of it. Just a broken soldier and your shattered jewel. How does it feel to not hold all the power?”

I pulled the knife away from his throat and plunged it into his side.

“Bloody bastard! If you’re gonna kill me, be done with it.”

“And where’s the fun in that? I’m going to enjoy breaking every bone in your body. But… not yet. Not until I pry the information from your tongue. Sleep well, I hear the rats get hungry at night.”

“W-what. Rats?”

“Of course, you can prevent that if you would just tell me where my brother is hiding.”

“Over my dead body.” He growled.

“Fine by me. Sleep tight.”

I still got nothing on Adrian’s location.
Still nothing about Yuri.
And my lovely gem and Alexei?
Not a damn thing.

I just wish I knew they were okay.
Just wanted to hear their voice to calm me.

I’d give anything to hold them in my arms.
And… I’d do anything to get them back.
Murder.
Torture.
Any. Fucking. Thing.

I felt like I was going out of my mind without them. The war was only getting started. Soon, Yuri would meet his demise. When I catch Adrian, I wouldn’t kill him immediately. He’d suffer for the things he’s done. Most of all, he’s going to suffer for touching my little Jules. I stepped out of my room and eyed Adam. He was pulled into an embrace with his man. His man.

Fuck!
How badly was Alexei suffering?

I averted my gaze on the two men and gritted my teeth. I wasn’t mad at them. I was jealous that they still had each other. I wanted Alexei and Jules on my arm. My perfect obedient soldier and my precious jewel. Nothing could compare to them. Nothing.

I cleared my throat to announce my presence. Adam pulled away from his boyfriend and glanced at me. “Sorry.”

“Any news on Adrian?” I asked.

“Not yet, but my girl is working on it. We’ll get him. I swear we’ll get the bloody bastard.”

But would we?

I nodded but still, I was unsure.

“Give us a moment?” Adam asked his boyfriend.

He kissed Adam and murmured. “Of course, love. I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom.”

Adam sighed. “I know you have your doubts, but we’ll get them. Every last one of the motherfuckers.”

“Why are you really helping me?”

“I told you…”

“The real reason. Be real with me. Why are you so persistent to find Yuri and Adrian?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got time.”

“My sister’s murder was never solved. My mother and I have been conducting our own investigation. After two years, I finally have the proof I need. I know who killed her and he’s gonna pay. They’re all gonna pay for what they did to her.”

“Yuri did this?”

He shook his head. “No, but he did have a hand in it. It was Adrian and Konstantin. The things they did to her… I want my sister’s killers dead.”

“Regina knows this?”

“No, I haven’t told her. This is why I took the case to bring justice to my sister. I need closure and so does my mother. I’ll tell her, but not yet. Not until we bring Adrian and Konstantin back. Then and only then, will I tell her the truth.”

“She’ll be angry with you. Betrayed.”

“I know and I’ll deal with her when the time comes. Right now, let’s just get these motherfuckers and bring Alexei and Jules home, yes?”

“Right, home.” I murmured. “And bring justice for your sister. For everyone they’ve hurt, killed, and tormented.”

A part of me feels guilty for bringing Jules into this world, but another part, I couldn’t let her go. Not after I saved her twice. Now, I’m going to save her again. And this time, I’ll never let her out of my sight. Maybe I’ll keep her locked up in my room to protect her better. In fact, we shouldn’t have ever split up. I closed my eyes and remembered Luciano’s last words before he took his last breath.

“B-boss, you… have to…” He croaked out. “Promise me you’ll protect my sister. No… matter… what it takes.”

One more breath and my chest clenched.
He was gone.
My best soldier next to Alexei was gone.
Dead.
And now… I have to make sure his sister gets out of this life.
Live a normal life and forget Luciano ever existed.

I put my hand over his eyes and closed them. “I promise. I’ll protect her and make sure she gets the life she deserves. A normal life with a normal family. Grow up and fall in love. Have a family and live a happily ever after.”

Too bad things didn’t go as planned.
But I’ll make it right.
Avenge Regina’s daughter.
Bring my baby girl home.
Alexei too.