AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Niko
A searing burnshoots across my ribcage as I grab my rucksack and climb out of the car. The minute I run my hand under my jacket, a sticky warmth seeps in between my fingers from a tear in my shirt.
Fuck. That asshole got a lucky shot. Thankfully, he missed anything important.
“I don’t have time for this shit,” I grumble under my breath.
The fucked-up thing about being shot in the dark is that you don’t have a face to hunt down later. Taking that hit only pissed me off, and by the time I came off that wall and aimed my gun, Blade kicked the back door open and stood in direct line of my shot. A few seconds was all that asshole needed to run off before I could take him out.
I could’ve chased him, but his death isn’t as important as my mother’s life.
After making the thirty-minute drive from Miami to Sunny Isles Beach in less than twenty, I leave the Audi behind and jump the iron fence to Sergei’s compound. Hovering near the edge of the property, I take stock of the men standing between me and vengeance.
There are two guards at both the front and the back entrances and two at the east and west ends. I’ve faced worse, so I’m not too concerned with the odds. It’s the four patroling the roof top who impede my mission. I have no doubt they’re sharp shooters. One miscalculated move and the party’s over before it gets started.
Obviously, the easiest way is through the front door, but it’s the also the riskiest. Anyone could see me and even the best marksman doesn’t have eyes in the back of his head. One of the other guards could hear my shots, circle around me, and put a bullet in my skull.
Think, Niko.
The back door is the quickest route to Sergei’s office. I could quietly slit the throat of the closest side guard then slip around and take out the men securing the back door, but I reject the idea as soon as it forms. I didn’t become a legend by leaving loose ends.
I’m Niko fuckingGaheris.
Running on adrenaline, I wait for the roof guard closest to me to scan left then I sprint right. The soldier patrolling the easternmost side of the estate sees me a fraction of a second too late. As he aims his rifle, I sink my knife into the hollow of his throat. The man’s eyes widen, his only sound a wet gurgle just before he stills. Without an ounce of remorse, I withdraw my blade and his lifeless body crumples to the ground. When his partner comes running, I spin around and he meets the same fate.
Two down.
Steeling myself against the wall, I slowly make my way toward the back entrance. A glance around the corner confirms two guards are standing at attention roughly thirty feet apart. I can’t risk one of them calling out a warning, so I take a risk.
“Dmitry poslal menya.” Dmitry sent me.
As I anticipated, instead of shouting, they salute, providing me time to put a bullet between their eyes.
Four down.
The double shots echo, and movement coincides with a voice shouting from above.
“Narushitel!” Intruder.
He’s called for execution on sight. Stealth-mode is officially over.
Shoving my MK23 in my holster, I retreat toward the guard I knifed and reach blindly over my shoulder until my hand lands on the SIG. With one hard jerk, the machine gun is in my hand, and a split second later, the lever’s pulled back and I’m ready to fire.
Rat-tat-tat-tat.
Shit! I’m losing time. I don’t have time to fuck around anymore.
Dropping to the ground, I spray an entire round of bullets toward the roof. One by one, bodies fall from the sky, crashing around me in bloodied red and black fury. When I’m positive the last one has hit, I barrel roll across the grass.
And all ten fall down.
Sprinting toward the front door, I kick my way through the scattered bodies until I find the only useful thing left of these assholes. Picking up a bloodied wrist, I bring the blade of my stained knife down hard on the base of the knuckle, then press the index finger against the biometric scanner. Immediately, a green light flashes and there’s a low-pitched buzzing sound granting me access. I tuck the finger in my bag for later.
Better to be prepared than dead.
Considering the battle I endured on the grounds, the first leg of my passage into Sergei’s house goes smoothly. Too smoothly. I’ve never known Sergei not to have at least half a dozen guards stationed around each entryway into his estate. That fact alone is enough to raise suspicion, but something else prevents me from pushing forward.
Uneasy, I retrieve the assault rifle strapped to my back and make my way down the long hallway toward Sergei’s secret office. The quiet makes me take a step back.
