Family Tree

Demitri Vetrov

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Custodian & Personal Protection to Alexei Koslov.

Father: Viktor Vetrov (Deceased)

Uncle: Michail Vetrov

Brother: Damien Vetrov

Best Friend: Alexei Koslov

Ariana Robinson

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Makeup Artist.

Father: Sergei Ivanov – (Head of Bratva)

Half-Brother: Yuri Ivanov

Mother: Beth Robinson

Chapter 1

DEMITRI

Demitri; 31. Ariana; 23

Staying two steps behind Alexei, I’m on high alert for any sudden movements from the guards as we enter Jakub Kaminski’s compound in Poland.

I’ve been a custodian to Alexei for seven years, and our relationship has gradually changed from protector and assassin to business partners and best friends.

I was trained to protect Alexei Koslov, an elite assassin, which makes me the best protector in the world. While Alexei carries out a job, it’s up to me to keep him alive. Together we’ve become an unstoppable force.

He is my life’s purpose. The one who owns my loyalty.

Where Alexei is charismatic, I’m quiet.

He’s in the spotlight, and I’m his shadow.

Over the years, Alexei has branched off into the shipping of illegal goods, and lately, we’ve only been taking out high-value targets.

“Ready?” Alexei mutters under his breath.

“Yes.” My eyes move from one guard to the next as we’re taken down a hallway. Alexei is assassinating Kaminski as a favor to the Bratva. We’ve arranged a meeting with Kaminski under false pretenses of purchasing weapons from him.

Getting in is easy. Getting out will be a bloodbath.

The tiles gleam under our feet, the walls of the compound white, with plants and art pieces breaking the sterile atmosphere. It’s in total contrast to what happens on the grounds. Kaminski is also a sex trafficker, and one would expect the floors and walls to be covered in all the blood he’s spilled.

Reaching the door that leads to the room Kaminski is waiting in, a guard holds up his hand and orders, “No weapons. Leave them here.”

Alexei lets out an amused burst of laughter. The guard moves to search Alexei, but with a shake of my head, the guard pauses.

“Don’t touch him,” I warn, my tone filled with the promise of death.

“Let them in,” Kaminski calls from inside the room.

Frustration flashes over the guard’s face, not happy that we’ll remain armed.

I stay behind Alexei as we walk into what seems to be a dining room. The weapons Alexei asked for are spread out on the table, which is big enough to seat twenty-four people.

There are only two men in the room with Kaminski. Three in the hallway. Five stationed out front, and I’m guessing five to ten at the back of the house.

The compound easily holds between thirty and fifty men.

Like I said, a bloodbath waits for us.

Alexei begins to talk business with Kaminski, and I watch as the two guards relax. That’s Alexei’s specialty. He makes you think you’re safe instead of seconds away from dying.