Page 44 of The Enemy Protector

---

“Yuri is playing the game. Are you?”

“I didn’t know I was playing a game until a week ago.”

“Then Yuri might be the better option after all. There’s always a game.”

“I won’t lose,” I say, forcing steel into my voice.

“Then prove it.”

I stare at the shell of a man. My father. The man who has instilled fear in millions for decades. But I never feared him.

Until now.

The little hairs at the back of my neck stand up. Is my father actively working against me?

I’m alone. Truly alone. The men I thought were loyal are either dead, bought off, or hedging their bets. My father has made it clear he won’t intervene. Anton is in a hospital bed. Gregor is competent, but he’s not Anton.

I need an ally. Someone outside the Baranov circle. Someone powerful enough that aligning with them sends a message Yuri can’t ignore.

I think about Sergei Sokolov’s proposal. Marriage. Protection. An alliance that would make me untouchable.

I dismissed it as arrogant and controlling. I told myself I didn’t need him.

But maybe I do.

Maybe that’s exactly what I need.

If Yuri wants a war, I’ll give him one.

And I’ll make sure I’m the last one standing.

12

Sergei

Kirill strolls into my office. “Got it.”

“Proof?”

“Oh yeah. He upped his game.”

“Who?”

“The Ghost.”

I ignore the uncomfortable feeling in my chest. The Ghost is not an average hitman. If he has you in his sights, survival is unlikely. I’ve seen the aftermath of his work. Victims are generally not identifiable, and he never leaves a trace.

This changes things. Once the Ghost is hired, it’s already too late.

He drops a copy of a Craigslist ad on my desk. Yes, that’s still an option. Hiding in plain sight.

I read the brief ad. Tidbits of information about the target. It’s her. Not her name or face, but a request for a hit.

He puts the responding message on the desk. The Ghost replied in his usual way.

“I guess he’s done using amateurs,” Kirill says. “And honestly, why are we still doing things like we live in the Stone Age.”

“Because it works,” I answer. “Old guys don’t have to learn new tricks.”

---