Page 109 of The Sniper
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
JAYDEN
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Ilie low for a week, working from home in my new role, while Josh and Ryder keep me updated.I killed the second-in-command to the Russian pakhan.
Nadia-the-fucking-neighbor is his daughter.
I knew something wasn’t right about her.She’s a mafia princess!
Whether Alexei was her boyfriend, bodyguard, or simply living with her to launder diamonds through the United States from Russia, no one knows.Nadia, though, was extradited yesterday after her president demanded her return.
Surprise, surprise...to no one.
Fuck, they were running the operation right next door to Tiffany the whole damn time.
Tiffany.
I wonder how she is doing.If she is recovering.If she lies awake at night like I do, wondering if I’ve done the right thing.
If I was wrong.
If touching her the first time was a mistake.
I can’t help but click on her social media accounts and watch her daily videos, searching for signs she needs me.
Jayden, I need you.
Then I tell myself she doesn’t.That once this blows over, and it will now, she will bounce back and start dating.
That makes my trigger finger itchy.
Why does it feel like Tiffany is mine?
That each day I’m hurting both of us?
I run at the beach, play video games and work each day like I’m a hamster on a wheel, hiding from the world.
Then, earlier today, the FBI told Josh that they don’t believe there is any risk to our team.To me.The press never reported on any names, only that Black Hawke Security and Maison Security had been present along with LAPD.
His contact said that the Bratva view this as a failed operation and collateral damage now that the pakhan’s daughter is returned.
Mostly, the press has been focused on Tiffany Stallone, daughter of Steven Stallone, who has faced the press saying he was grateful to everyone involved for keeping his daughter safe, and the family was happy any risk to her was now over.
Josh and Ryder visited to give me the good news.
“Monday, you can return to the office.”Ryder crossed his arms, leaning against the wall of my kitchen.“We have a big job ahead of us, rolling out the private security around the country.”
I was actually looking forward to it.
“We need offices in key states and people on the ground.”Josh smiled.“You’re going to be busy.”
“You told him?”I nodded to Ryder.
“He needs to know.”
