Alexei places a hand on my shoulder. “Thank fuck. For a while, I was worried you’re so fucking pussy whipped you’d never be able to function normally again.”

I let out a burst of laughter. “Fuck off.” I glance around the area, and seeing it’s quiet, I say, “Let’s get this done.”

We both check our Heckler & Kochs and screw on the silencers, then opening the doors, we get out, and I fall into step beside Alexei. My eyes keep scanning over our surroundings, and when we reach the room where Tao is, I kick the door in, and holding my arms in a locked position in front of me, I move into the room.

Tao lunges to the side while taking a shot at us. I avoid his line of fire, and then Alexei fires off a shot, hitting Tao in the leg.

There’s a trickle of excitement in my chest from being back at work.

“Fuck,” Tao snaps as he limps toward the restroom.

“Dude, come on,” Alexei calls out. “Don’t make us run after you.”

“You declined the contract,” Tao calls out.

“Yeah, and you should’ve checked that the girl is an innocent,” Alexei says as I go after Tao. I kick in the bathroom door and then fire two shots, both hitting Tao in the chest.

“No hard feelings, though,” Alexei calls out, his tone filled with amusement.

I walk closer to Tao, where he’s gasping for air, and then plant a bullet in his head. “It’s done,” I let Alexei know while I stare at the body with great satisfaction.

One threat less to my woman.

Alexei comes to take a photo of Tao then grins at me. “A gift for Yuri.”

“Let’s get out of here.”

When we get back to the SUV, Alexei sends off a text to Yuri, and then he starts the engine.

I take Alexei’s phone and watch as Yuri opens the message, and then I press dial on his number.

“Just remember you started this war, Koslov,” Yuri bites out as he answers.

“No,” I growl. “You should’ve canceled the contract while you still had a chance.”

“Vetrov,” Yuri hisses.

“Ariana’s not just under my protection. She is mine in every fucking way. I’m coming for you, and I’m bringing my brothers.”

There’s a moment’s pause as the news hits Yuri.

“Dem –”

I cut the call, and then Alexei mutters, “Brothers? Have you told Carson and Damien?”

“I’m phoning them now.”

A wide smile spreads over Alexei’s face. “Fuck, this is going to be so much fun.”

I let out a burst of laughter. It’s good seeing the excitement back on his face.

I call Alexei’s brother first.

“Everything okay?” Carson answers because it’s the middle of the night by him.

“Yeah, it’s Demitri. I need a favor.”

“Sure, what’s up?” I hear Carson move, probably to leave the bedroom, so he doesn’t disturb his girlfriend, Hailey.

“I’m going to war with Yuri Ivanov.”

“Where do you want to meet?”