Ivan’s POV: The attack
We are being followed, Ivan.
Could it be the Triads? How could they have known we had picked sides? Or is there a spy amongst my men? That’s not important, we needed to act fast.
“Turn the car around, try to lose their trail,” I ordered.
He gives me a curt nod as his grip tightens on the steering wheel, jaws clenched. The sound of screeching tires reverberated through the car as Maxim skillfully maneuvered it, making a U-turn. He was at a high speed as the other guards followed behind us.
Glancing out the tinted windshield, I noticed the van Aleks had spotted trailing us, we had given them a good distance. My blood boiled with anger, whoever was behind this would have to face me for this madness.
“Stop the car!” I growled, deciding to attack them before they did, instead of running to safety. It was risky to confront them head-on but I wasn’t about to let anyone threaten me. I never run from a fight. Maxim pulled into an alley, the other car with other bodyguards pulling to a stop behind us.
I scanned the dimly lit alley, and a prickling sensation spread across my skin.
“Change of plans, Maxim,” I said, my voice low and steady. “We’ll take them head-on so we can capture those bastards and find out the fool they work for.”
A glint of understanding flashed in Maxim’s eyes as takes out his gun and I did the same.
“Boys! Get ready to attack, boss wants them alive,” Maxim ordered into his mouthpiece.
I looked toward the black van as we took cover, they were closing in on us. They would’ve known that we were bracing for their attack.
The loud bangs of gunfire pierced through the silence in the alley as the attackers fired shots first.
Just as I had expected.
Maxim gives a silent nod to Aleks and Marco, signaling for them to provide cover fire while he goes for their leader.
My men moved with deadly precision, their shots battling against our attackers. With deadly accuracy, my shots take down some of their men.
A bullet whizzed past us, grazing Maxim’s arm. Instincts took over as I shoved him into a dumpster for cover.
Shit! They’ve wounded Maxim.
“Take these bastards down!” I bellowed, my voice raw with rage.
On my command, my men released a stream of bullets, aiming at anyone or anything they could find.
The three captors have their hands tied behind their backs and their feet tied to the metal chairs they are seated on. Yesterday, we ended up capturing three of the attackers while the rest ended up dead.
“Take out their blindfold,” I ordered. Maxim, Aleks, and Igor swiftly take out their blindfold. Fear flashed across their faces as they scanned the dungeon. Trying desperately to hide the panic they must be feeling.
“We would make this quick, you give me the answers to my questions and we are good,” I lied.
Of course one of them starts struggling and wriggling out of his restraints. It’s funny how they always try to do this, even though they know deep down this is the end, and they can’t escape.
Maxim moved the captive who was badly injured to the next room. He looked half dead already, he was of no use. I accessed the remaining two guards.
The big blond guy with a scar on his face is more composed. He looked like he could be in a boxing ring with all that muscle. Next to him is his red-haired colleague, he looked like he was about to shit in his pants. I could almost taste his fear. Good. I’ll start with him.
They are more likely to give answers when the desperation to live takes hold and the fear of pain.
I stood in front of the redhead, “You, who do you work for?” I ask as I gently glide the side of my pocket knife down his face, not cutting the skin, but building the tension, hoping to raise his anxiety.
“W-we are just g-gang members. We don’t work for anyone,” he sobs, shaking against the chair.
“That’s not the answer I’m looking for,” I said in a bored tone. “For every time I ask a question and you don’t give me what I want. I would take a finger.” This time I lower the knife to caress his fingers making sure he knows I meant business.
“Now, shall we start,” I smirked.
“Who do you work for?”
“We-”
“Shut the fuck up, they are going to kill us anyway!” The bigger guy barks and that earns him a gunshot to his knee from Maxim. He tried to hold in his scream, the little grunts of pain that came from him were low and guttural. Snot and spit dripped down his face as he bit his lower lips, shaking with pain.
“Now, you’ll give me straight answers, yes? Or should I carry on with my threats?” I ask
“P-please, please d-don’t. I will tell you everything,” He pleaded.
They always do.
“W-we are hitmen. Our boss usually deals with our customers are we carry out the job.”
“I need a name. I’m sure you know what I mean. I’m sure you know something,” I growled, my patience wearing thin. I grabbed Maxim’s gun from him and turned to shoot the redhead on his left knee.
He lets out a loud cry. Snot and tears are messing up his face.
“Y-you… you said you wouldn’t if I told you,” the redhead cries.
“I lied, now give me a fucking name!”
“Tom Smith!” the redhead blurted out.
My blood boiled. Smith did have a death wish. The fucker had no hope of redemption after all.
“W-we were sent to monitor you. Kill you if we must and rescue his daughter. He’s sure she’s in your house,” the redhead explained further, voice strained with pain.
Is Tom Smith really that foolish or naive to think he could rescue his daughter from me? I almost wanted to laugh at his sloppiness but nothing about that traitor is funny.
“You stupid fool, you are fucking boss up and we will be killed no matter-” the big guy gets cut off as I silenced him with a gun forever. I toss the gun to Maxim, “Finish up the bastard and clean up the mess.”
Redhead pleads and tries to negotiate with Maxim, but Maxim gets the job done.
I dialed Smith’s number on my burner phone.
“You must be proud of yourself, Mr. Smith. I received your gift or should I say gifts?”
His shaky breath over the phone lets me know he understood he’d fucked up.
Good.