Page 2 of Shades of Loyalty
The lighting in this alley is shit—it’s hard to memorize their faces, but I try.
Even if it’s just one guy, I need to remember his face. Just a few details will be enough for someone like me to haunt them down and bury them five feet under.
I need to report this situation back to Volkov as soon as I get back to my office.
The men are not hooded. They’re not even wearing masks. Nothing to hide their features, and thus—nothing to protect their life.
All they’re wearing is a disgustingly reckless smile as they look down on their prey.
And yet, the second one of them looks up, noticing me and Hayden standing just a foot in front of them—the second they realizewhoI am—fear flashes in their eyes.
Fear of me, someone else would think.
Fear of death, however, sounds so much better.
I haven’t raised my gun, and yet they look at me like I’m seconds away from blowing their heads off. They’re scared. Terrified. I like that. In fact, I love it.
I enjoy seeing these pussies almost piss themselves, blinded by fear.
What I don’t enjoy, however, is Roy bleeding out in front of us.
Because what the fuck were they doing? Certainly not telling him the information like they were supposed to, I’d assume. It makes me question if they are truly Volkov’s men.
I’m gonna have to find that out, one way or another.
However, just as I’m about to speak up, they turn andrun.
They turn their backs while we’re armed.
They’re fools — all of them. No sense of self-preservation, reckless to boot.
They’re not ready for this world. Anyone could tell they’re not professionals.
How stupid does Volkov have to be to send me guys likethem? Untrained, killing innocent people? Triggering a war?
Fuck. I am not even sure if they were his men anymore. He wouldn’t be that idiotic, I know Yuri Volkov.
He’s not like this. He never made mistakes like these before, and I doubt he’s going to start now.
Hayden raises his gun and aims, but I stop him before he makes any stupid decision. Killing Volkov’s men would mean war.
We can’t risk that. I might not know if they truly are his men, but regardless, I’ll deal with this shit later.
Shooting men doesn’t bother me.
Shooting Volkov’s men, however, would.
“Forget about it,” I mumble. “They’ll see what they get from pulling an amateur move like this.”
Hayden gulps, the sound audible in the silence. “Are you sure we should let them run?” I simply laugh. “What do you want me to do? Risk killing some of his guys in training and cause a whole war? I know better than that.”
They’ll regret this. I’ll make sure of it.
Roy didn’t deserve to die like this. And those cowards won’t get away with it.
Fucking Yuri Volkov, you’ll hear from me. And pay with your fucking life if this is your doing.
Chapter Two
