SWNOVELS The Arrangement: Chapter 30
In the kitchen, the late morning light doesn’t do much to soften the grim scene before me. Charlie’s sitting there, a makeshift bandage wrapped around his head, looking like he’s gone a few rounds with a heavyweight. The sight stirs a mix of anger and concern within me.
‘What happened?’ I ask, my voice calm, though inside, I’m anything but.
Charlie meets my gaze, guilt written all over his face. ‘Nicky got the jump on me. I didn’t see it coming,’ he admits, his voice strained.
The part of me that’s all raw instinct wants to lash out at him for letting his guard down, especially now, when every second counts and Tory’s out there with God knows who. But I clamp down on that impulse hard. Getting mad at Charlie won’t get me any closer to finding her.
‘I’m sorry, Maksim. I should’ve been more alert,’ he continues, the apology hanging heavily in the air between us.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay focused on what matters. ‘Look, Charlie, what’s done is done. Right now, we need to figure out where they’ve taken her. Any idea why Nicky would do this?’
He shakes his head, wincing slightly. ‘No clue. But he mentioned something about Aleksey before he knocked me out. Sounded personal.’
Aleksey. The name sends a chill down my spine, not because I’m afraid of him, but because of what he’s capable of doing to Tory to get to me. It’s a low blow, even for him.
As I’m about to head out, I notice Charlie swaying slightly, his balance off. The guy’s clearly not in fighting shape, a second away from hitting the floor rather than an enemy.
‘Charlie, you’re in no condition to come with me,’ I state firmly, noting the frustration that flickers across his face.
‘I want to help, Maksim. I owe you,’ he insists, his voice tinged with determination, but it’s clear he’s fighting just to stay upright.
‘The best way you can help is by staying here,’ I counter. “I’ve called men to the house to protect Adelina and Irina. You tell them what’s going on and watch over them until they get here.”
Reluctantly, he nods, understanding the role he has to play. He grabs his iPad, linking up to the security cameras trained on the safe room. The screen shows Adelina and Irina, safe for now, a small comfort.
I lean toward the iPad’s speaker. ‘I’m heading out, but I’ll be back soon. Stay safe,’ I say, my voice more for Adelina than anyone else.
‘Papa, I love you,’ Adelina’s voice comes through the speaker, small and brave in the face of uncertainty.
A wave of emotion hits me hard. ‘I love you too, Princess. More than anything,’ I reply, the words thick in my throat.
Charlie, now firmly planted in front of the iPad, meets my gaze. ‘I’ll guard them with my life, Maksim. They won’t be alone.’
Nodding, I clasp his shoulder briefly in gratitude and solidarity. Then, with no time to waste, I turn to leave, every step fueled by the promise of returning to those I love. The fight ahead is unclear, fraught with danger, but one thing is crystal clear: I will do whatever it takes to bring Tory home and keep my family safe.
My mind’s already racing, plotting, planning. I’ll tear through anyone who stands in my way. Aleksey wants a war? He’s got one. But he’s about to learn I don’t play by the rules, especially not when it comes to the people I love.
As I drive to my father’s place, my thoughts are a whirlwind, mostly circling back to Tory. The ache of her absence is a sharp, constant pang, reinforcing how deeply I’ve fallen for her. It’s in these moments of fear and uncertainty that I realize just how much I need her in my life.
Pulling up to the house, the weight of what might come hangs heavy on me. Tiffany greets me at the door with her usual warmth. ‘Maksim, it’s so good to see you! How’s Adelina?’ she asks, her smile genuine.
For a brief moment, I’m caught off guard by the normalcy of her greeting, and a wave of guilt washes over me. I’m possibly on the brink of confronting, maybe even having to take down, her son, my own brother, to save Tory. The thought is a bitter pill, one I’m not sure how to swallow.
‘She’s fine, Tiffany. But I really need to see my father. It’s important,’ I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady.
‘Of course, he’s in the kitchen eating breakfast. You know how he is about breakfast,’ she replies, stepping aside to let me through, unaware of the chaos brewing inside me.
Stepping into the kitchen, a calm envelops me. The familiar smells of brewed coffee and something sweet cooking on the stove mingle in the air. The room is bathed in the soft light of morning, casting serene shadows that dance quietly across the surfaces.
My father sits at the small nook by the window. The newspaper is spread out in front of him, his reading glasses perched at the end of his nose, marking him as absorbed in the world’s stories beyond our immediate concerns. Beside him, a small plate of fresh fruit is arranged meticulously—Tiffany’s influence, no doubt, steering him toward healthier choices.
He looks up as I enter. ‘Maksim! Come, have some breakfast. You look like you could use it,’ he gestures toward the inviting spread.
“I’m not here to eat, I’m here to talk about Aleksey,” I state, then hesitate, feeling the heaviness of my situation. I notice the subtle shift in my father’s demeanor. He sets his newspaper aside with a careful, deliberate motion and removes his glasses, placing them on the table. He sighs, a deep, knowing sound that fills the space between us.
‘There was a time,’ he begins, his voice rich with the weight of memories, ‘when I found myself at odds with an old friend. It wasn’t just business; it became personal, dangerously so. But no matter how heated things got, we never let it spill over to our families. That line was sacred.’
My father’s story unfolds as he leans back, a faraway look in his eyes. ‘This friend and I, we were thick as thieves, literally, in our younger days. But as we climbed the ranks, our visions for the future began to clash. It got ugly, my son. There were threats, fights… I feared it might end in bloodshed.’
He pauses, his gaze returning to the present, to me. ‘One night, it came to a head. We found ourselves face to face, guns drawn. It could’ve been the end for one of us, or both. But then, he mentioned my wife, your mother, Maksim. Not as a threat, but as a reminder of what was at stake. Of who we were outside of this feud.
‘The realization hit us both like a cold splash. We were willing to destroy everything we had, all for pride and power. In that moment, we chose to step back. It took time, and not all wounds healed, but we drew a line. Our families, our loved ones were off-limits.’
I listen, absorbing not just the words but the gravity behind them.
‘So, what happened to him?’ I ask, curious despite myself.
My father smiles, a touch of sadness in his eyes. ‘Life happened, Maksim. We went our separate ways, but we kept that truce. He passed away some years ago, but I never forgot the lesson from that night.‘
The story settles over me, a parallel to my own struggle with Aleksey. The conflict, the potential for resolution—it’s all there, a blueprint laid by the past.
‘Father, I can’t see such a way out with Aleksey. He’s crossed a line I can’t ignore,’ I admit, feeling the burden of my next words.
My father nods, understanding etched deep in his features. ‘I know, son. And I’m not saying you should back down. We protect our family, always. But remember, there’s strength in choosing how to fight this battle.”
The urgency of the situation makes it difficult to stay still. My father’s observant eyes are on me, a quiet strength in his gaze. ‘I know you’re not part of this, Father. You’ve always been straight with me.’
“I know what I know. But you’re correct. So, tell me, Maksim – what’s going on with your brother?”
He nods, a signal for me to go on. So, I lay it all out—the abduction, Aleksey’s threats, and his dark intentions for Tory. Sharing the details feels like unloading a burden, yet the weight of reality remains.
“I’ve fallen in love with her, Father. She’s a part of my life, and Adelina’s,” I confess. “She’s more than just a woman I’m seeing.”
“I see.” My father lets out a heavy sigh, a mix of concern and a certain weary disappointment. ‘I’ve sensed the growing rift between you boys, but this…’ He shakes his head, clearly disturbed. ‘Dragging a man’s family into business conflicts is cowardice. It’s a boundary we never cross.’
‘Aleksey didn’t just cross it; he’s taken it to a whole new level,’ I reply, the frustration evident in my voice. ‘He’s got Tory, and he’s made it painfully clear he’s willing to use her to get to me.’
Hearing this, my father’s demeanor shifts, a hardened resolve taking over. ‘Aleksey’s always pushed the limits, but involving Tory, that’s beyond the pale. We Morozovs, we have our principles, our honor. What he’s doing isn’t just an affront to you; it’s against everything our family stands for.’
I nod, the solidarity in his words bolstering me. ‘That’s why I’m here. I need your help, Father. To get Tory back, and to deal with Aleksey. Before things get even worse.’
There’s a long look between us, one of understanding and agreement. ‘Of course. We’ll sort this out. Aleksey seems to have forgotten the values we uphold, but we haven’t. And we’ll make sure he remembers.’
The air in the kitchen becomes charged with a new energy as my father and I hunker down over the table, a makeshift war room. He starts, his voice low but firm, ‘First, we need to consider who we can trust. Aleksey’s influence has spread, and we can’t afford any leaks.’
I nod, absorbing his caution. ‘I’ve got a few guys who’ve been with me through thick and thin. They’re loyal. They’re at the house watching over Adelina and Irina.’
‘Good,’ he approves, then moves on. ‘Now, potential hideouts. Aleksey’s not a fool; he’ll have taken Tory somewhere off the grid, somewhere he thinks we won’t find.’
I lean in, focused. ‘There are a few places I can think of that Aleksey’s mentioned in passing. Old warehouses, a couple of secluded properties.’
My father’s eyes light up with strategic fire. ‘We’ll need to scout them discreetly. And Maksim,’ he adds, a stern edge to his voice, ‘we must be absolutely sure before we make a move. The last thing we want is to tip Aleksey off or, worse, walk into a trap.’
‘Understood,’ I reply, feeling a semblance of control returning. The path ahead is fraught with danger, but with my father’s guidance, it seems less insurmountable.
‘And Tory,’ my father continues, his expression softening. ‘We have to consider her safety above all. Any action we take, we need to ensure it doesn’t put her in further danger.’
His emphasis on Tory’s safety cements my resolve. ‘We’ll get her back, Father. And we’ll do it without giving Aleksey the satisfaction of seeing us break.’
As the planning phase shifts into preparation for action, I glance at my father, the weight of our next steps heavy in the air. ‘There might be bloodshed,’ I admit, the reality of what lies ahead settling over me like a shadow.
My father meets my gaze squarely, the lines of his face etched with the hard wisdom of years. ‘I understand, Maksim.’
The thought of Tiffany crosses my mind, her unwavering warmth and how this conflict could shatter her world. I can’t bring myself to voice my concerns about her; the potential fallout is a wound too painful to probe. But there’s another pressing need I can’t ignore. ‘I need men. Trustworthy men – men ready right now.’
He doesn’t hesitate. ‘Take Viktor and Michael. They’ve been with me for years, loyal and steadfast. They’ve never sided with Aleksey, rejected his methods outright. You can trust them.’
The relief at his quick decision is palpable. ‘Thank you,’ I say, the gratitude deep and sincere. I’m spared a goodbye to Tiffany, for which I’m silently thankful. The less she knows now, the better for her.
Viktor and Michael are already outside. I brief them on everything—Aleksey’s actions, his threats, and what Tory means to me. Their reaction is immediate and decisive.
‘Let’s go get your woman,’ Viktor says, his voice firm, the determination clear in his eyes. Michael nods in agreement, his expression grim but resolute.
Aleksey has made a grave mistake, one he’ll soon come to realize.