A nurse comes in stating she needs Lada to return to her room.
I walk the girl out. “You are a warrior, Lada. Don’t ever forget that.”
The Claiming
I tell my men to inform the police, once they locate where the other girls are being held captive.
However, I keep the knowledge of Zuyev’s involvement to myself. I am certain that if he is arrested, he will escape prosecution due to the Bratva’s nefarious connections.
I cannot allow that.
I take solace knowing there is a special place in hell for those who sell women and children for financial gain. I have no problem helping to deliver him there—but I must be patient.
I have an ally in the Bratva who may be willing to help, but I must proceed with extreme caution. One wrong move and I risk not only my life, but everyone’s around me.
That is not a risk I can take.
Instead, I turn my attention to helping Titov set up the shelter. I know, based on Tatianna’s experience, there are few resources in Moscow to assist victims, which makes our mission vitally important.
When I hear my brother Andrev insists on meeting me to discuss my plans for the mansion, I am in no mood to be civil. In fact, I’m prepared to break all ties with him when he bursts into my office.
“Why are you here?” I snarl.
“I heard a rumor that you want to turn this place into a shelter. Is that right?”
“It’s happening as we speak,” I answer unapologetically.
I expect an argument, but Andrev catches me off guard when he says, “I want to be a part of it.”
I frown, certain I’ve misheard him. “Why?”
Andrev pulls a photo from his wallet. “My wife’s best friend lost her daughter when she was kidnapped walking home from school. They found her in St. Petersburg months later in a sex den—dead.”
I look at the child’s smiling face. Seeing how young she is and knowing what she suffered hits me hard, and I say gruffly, “I am sorry to hear it.”
“When my wife heard what you were planning to do here, she insisted I offer my services.”
“You have no experience with such things. What service could you possibly provide?”
“I realize I am not a man of many skills, Anton,” he says, sounding insulted. “Still, I am willing to help in whatever capacity I’m needed, even if it’s manual labor.”
I burst out laughing. “You?”
He furrows his brow. “I’d like to volunteer. Surely, there is value in that?”
“Volunteer?”
I am shocked by his offer.
“Yes. It would be wrong to take money away from this endeavor. It is something Natalia and I feel strongly about.”
I never knew this side of Andrev existed, and I credit his wife Natalia for it.
“I will talk to Titov.”
Andrev snorts. “Aren’t you the man in charge? Or is it your chum from grade school running things now?”
I narrow my eyes. “Let me make this perfectly clear, Andrev. Titov is your first point of contact. If you show him any disrespect, you will be dismissed.”
“Isn’t that like looking a gift horse in the mouth?” he huffs.
“I did not ask for your help. Consider it a privilege, not a right.”
Andrev takes a deep breath before replying. Instead of throwing back his typical jab, he says, “I will do as you say.”
I frown, still not able to believe this sudden change in him. So, I tell him, “It will be menial tasks no one has time for.”
“So be it. So long as I can contribute in some way.”
“Forgive my skepticism, Andrev. But this seems very unlike you.”
Andrev points to the picture of the girl. “My daughter was best friends with this girl. She used to come to our home and stay for hours giggling as the two shared childhood secrets with each other.” Andrev pauses, looking as if he’s about to cry. “There isn’t a day that goes by when I think it could have been my daughter.”
I am moved by his admission.
“Although there is much you and I don’t agree on, Anton,” he continues. “This is one area we stand united on. It is bigger than either of us.”
“Agreed.” I hold out my hand to him and he shakes it firmly.
Titov walks in just as he is leaving.
Andrev nods to him. “Titov. I look forward to working with you.”
Titov stares at me in shock as Andrev walks out.
“My brother just offered to volunteer his time toward the project. I’m stunned, as well.”
Titov clears his throat. “Pardon me for saying this, gospodin, but he is the last of your brothers I would expect to do such a thing.”
I can’t hide my sorrow when I explain, “He has a compelling reason to do so.”
Titov bows his head, understanding what that means. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
I sit down at my desk, stunned by the unexpected encounter. I never thought a truce was possible with Andrev and I. Mamulya may have been right when she said there’d come a day when my brothers and I would come together.
If the Durov brothers were to truly band together as one, we would be an unstoppable force. But, the idea of having Andrev work with me instead of against me…?
It is a foreign concept I will need time to grow used to.
I look up at Titov. “So, what did you bring me?”
“I have found our director, gospodin,” he states proudly.
“Excellent. Tell me more.”
Titov sets a thick file on the desk. “His name is Michail Volkov. He has a PhD in Trauma Psychology and is well-respected. He also has over twelve years of experience in the field. The man has nothing on his record—not even a speeding ticket.”
I frown. “I’m unsure I trust a man who doesn’t speed from time to time.”
Titov chuckles. “You stated the director’s reputation must be impeccable.”
I look through the file, impressed by what I see. “You’ve done exceptional work, Titov. Bring him in as soon as possible so I can meet the man in person. We’ll need his input on supportive staff. Time is of the essence. We need to be ready for the influx when it comes.”
“Understood, gospodin.”
While the mansion is being transformed for its new role as a safe haven, I head off to look for an apartment. Having lived my life in the Khamovniki District, I am excited at the prospect of living in a modern apartment high above the city.
I want to surround myself with the energy and vitality that can only be found in Moskva-City. Rather than live in the past, I want to experience the vitality of Russian ingenuity and architectural design.
I am also interested in a new BDSM club called Novy Soyuz, located under one of the towers. It mixes the old with the new, and I am anxious to explore it.
I invite Titov to join me, but he declines, stating he has too much on his plate for a night out. I know the truth—he is painfully shy.
For all his bravado among the guys, when it comes to women, he completely freezes up.
I find it amusing.
Instead of dragging him to the club, I call on my old friend Alexei from the fighting ring to join me. Thus far, he has only dabbled in the lifestyle, and this seems the perfect environment to further his horizons.