Chapter 6 - Finding Leo
Leo Jr. lifted his head, his wide, red-rimmed eyes blinking against the sudden rush of air and movement. When he saw the tall, imposing figure of his father stepping out of the shadows, a sob ripped through the boy's chest.
"Daddy!"
Viktor crossed the room in two massive strides, dropping to his knees beside the chair. His large, scarred hands trembled as he pulled a combat knife from his belt and sliced through the thick nylon cords binding his son’s wrists and ankles.
The moment the ropes fell away, Leo threw his arms around his father’s neck, burying his face into Viktor’s tactical vest, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I've got you, son. I've got you," Viktor murmured, holding the boy so tight his knuckles turned white. He pressed kiss after kiss into Leo’s messy hair, his own eyes burning with hot, unshed tears. "You're safe. Nobody will ever touch you again. I swear it on my life."
Behind them, the door creaked open further. Rosie walked in slowly, followed by Shadow, who trotted over to Leo and gave the boy's trailing hand a gentle, reassuring lick.
Leo pulled back, wiping his nose with his sleeve, staring in wonder at the scruffy dog and the little girl standing in the middle of a mafia stronghold.
"Who... who are they?" Leo whispered.
"Friends," Viktor said, standing up and scooping his son into his arms, holding him against his chest like he would never let go. He looked at Rosie, whose face was illuminated by the amber glow of a desk lamp. "She’s the reason you're going home tonight, Leo. Remember her name."
Before Rosie could reply, a sudden, cold voice echoed from the doorway behind them.
"Well, well, well. Look who decided to drop in for a family reunion."
Viktor spun around instantly, shifting his son behind his body while his right hand slammed down onto the grip of his Glock.
Standing in the doorway, flanked by four heavily armed mercenaries holding assault rifles pointed directly at Viktor’s chest, was Marcus Vance. He wore an expensive wool coat, a smug, sadistic grin plastered across his scarred face, and a silver lighter flicking open and closed in his right hand.
"You walked right into the spider's web, Viktor," Marcus laughed, his voice dripping with venom. "I didn't even have to hunt you down. You brought yourself straight to the slaughterhouse."
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Viktor didn't flinch. His eyes were colder than the Thames ice. "You made a fatal mistake touching my son, Marcus."
"Oh, I made a lot of mistakes," Marcus sneered, raising his pistol. "Mainly letting you live this long. But tonight, I fix that. Say goodbye to your empire, Viktor."
