Knox had ordered them to scout the premises and only interfere if it was necessary.
He glanced out the dusty windows of the car.
The store was owned by the Bratva. Like his group, they probably used the store as a front to launder money. Alexei was no one important. A small fry in the Bratva ladder. His presence wouldn’t be missed. Knox’s phone rang and he picked it up.
“Boss, the road’s clear. No Bratva members in sight,” reported Henry. He was one of the guys who’d come out here with them and acted as a lookout.
“Alexei’s leaving through the back to have a smoke,” Patrick said.
Knox checked his gun had a full clip in it. He pulled his black mask down over his face. Patrick did the same. Knox nodded. “Let’s go.”
Patrick followed his lead. They entered the narrow corridor that led to the back door of the store. Knox caught Alexei with his back facing him. Alexei had his fly down and was pissing against the wall. Alexei didn’t see them coming. Knox spun him by the shoulder and shoved him violently against the wall.
Alexei moved sluggishly, didn’t even seem to process what just happened at first. He raised his fists, but Knox drove a fist into his gut. He gasped. Knox could see the whites of his eyes as he shoved the barrel of his gun against Alexei’s skull.
“We have some questions for you, Alexei,” Patrick said by Knox’s shoulder.
“Who are you people? What the hell do you want? Do you know who you’re messing with?” Alexei demanded, seemingly recovering this composure.
“A week ago, you got Jack Miller drunk at a bar,” Knox said, digging the barrel of his gun deeper against Alexei’s skull.
“Enough playing nice,” Patrick said. “Let me have a turn, boss. I’ll cut his balls, then his dick off.”
Knox risked a look over his shoulder because he knew Alexei wasn’t much of a threat. He could break this fucker in half if he wanted. Patrick pulled out his favorite knife and it shone silver under the afternoon sun.
Knox turned his attention back to his prey, who turned sheet-white. Alexei must’ve realized he wasn’t just dealing with normal men. He saw that they were serious, because once Alexei opened his mouth, Alexei couldn’t shut up.
It turned out Knox’s speculation was right. The heads of the Bratva hired outside help to steal his merchandise.
“Tell me more about these snipers,” Knox said, shoving Alexei against the wall again.
They didn’t do much except rough Alexei up a little. Alexei broke down far too quickly and easily compared to Jack. He was a disgrace. Then again, Knox wasn’t too surprised.
The Bratva might have more men in their employ but they didn’t bother with a quality check. Jack might’ve slipped up but the rest of Knox’s men weren’t like him. They vetted each recruit personally and his men had proven their loyalty to Knox plenty of times.
“I don’t know jack shit about them, except they were ex-Special Forces. Mercenaries. Our Pakhan paid a great deal of money to hire them,” Alexei said.
“What else do you know?” Patrick demanded.
“Nothing!”
Knox was convinced Alexei had nothing else useful to say. One thing was clear. They couldn’t leave Alexei alive and kicking. Knox wanted to send a message to the Bratva. If they screwed with his group, then they shouldn’t expect to get away scot-free. They’d start with Alexei, then move onto bigger fish.
Knox let him off. Momentary relief was reflected on Alexei’s features, before turning into panic as Knox dragged the gun to his chest. Knox silenced him, placing his gloved hand over Alexei’s mouth. Knox fired. He let out a muffled cry but Knox’s gun had a silencer on, so it didn’t make a sound. Knox released Alexei, letting his lifeless body slide against the wall.
“Let’s go,” Knox told Patrick. They walked back to their ride.
Once Patrick drove them out of that neighborhood, Knox peeled his mask off.
“What next?” Patrick asked. “We going to hit one of their warehouses, too?”
“Soon. I want our tech team to dig more information on the Bratva.”
Patrick paused and seemed to consider his next words. “Can I ask about the waitress from last night?”
Knox let out a heavy sigh. “None of your goddamn business but you should know one thing.”
“What’s that, boss?”
“I plan to keep her. Permanently.” Knox wanted Patrick to understand that Leah wasn’t a simple fling or infatuation for him. A king needed his queen and Leah was his.
Knox wanted to be back in his apartment, to lose himself in Leah’s body, in her sweetness once again. Except Knox remembered where she was—still working at that ratty diner. She didn’t have to work a single day in her life if she wanted.
She wanted a sense of normalcy, Knox remembered. Leah was safe. He had someone watching over her, and Conner was a former Marine. Someone Knox trusted without question. Knox told Conner he’d have his head if Leah came to any harm.
“I hope this woman better be worth it,” Patrick finally said.
“She is,” Knox said without hesitation.