Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
They give him shit about that statement, and he just calls them names, then they’re all flipping each other off.
Some soldiers slap me on the back, others welcome me aboard, and even the members of the other team give me a thumbs-up.
Does this mean I broke the ice with them?
Do I…finally belong here?
My smile falters when my gaze clashes with an icy one. Sometimes, it’s like I’m staring at a piece of the Arctic Ocean.
Captain Kirill.
For the past week, he’s mostly ignored my existence. Viktor was the one who oversaw my individual training while he gave the orders from afar.
For a second, I think maybe he’s watching the game, but his arms are crossed, and his glare falls on me.
Frighteningly so.
My heart nearly beats out of my rib cage. I think there’s a problem with me. Otherwise, why would I feel like he’s peeling my skin apart and revealing each and every one of my secrets?
And for some reason, I think he might be well capable of that.
The reality of the situation hits me then. Captain Kirill may be what makes me stronger, but he’s also dangerous.
The type of danger that will swallow me alive if I don’t keep my cards close to my chest.
6
KIRILL
I read the reports my intelligence sergeant sent over and study every detail with keen interest.
The reason my unit is the most successful isn’t because I have the best men—though I do consider them incomparable. It’s also not due to strength or weaponry.
Every success we’ve had thus far is solely based on strategy. Numbers, offense, and danger level mean nothing if I devise the right plan to keep us one step ahead.
It’s one of the reasons my father didn’t want me to leave the States. My family depended so much on my plans from the time I was a kid. Everything my father did was low-key instructed or inspired by my tactics.
Needless to say, he’s been feeling bitter since I left for the army a couple of years ago and took away his goose that lays the golden eggs.
Viktor likes to give me reports about the state of affairs back home, despite my explicit instructions not to. His excuse is that I need to be in the loop because knowledge is power, and, apparently, according to Viktor’s spies, my dickhead of a brother is subtly confiscating that power after having crowned himself the head of the family once my father retires.
Of course, the process is taking place with the help of my mother. Or, more accurately, Yulia. Yes, she is the woman who gave birth to me, just like my father was the one who donated the sperm, but neither of them should’ve been anyone’s parents.
But I digress. Only slightly.
My focus homes back in on the intelligence report in front of me and I reread it one more time.
Tomorrow’s mission has to be perfect. I’ll accept no failure or losses.
In fact, my plan is so bulletproof that my men and I should be able to complete it in half the time given to us.
All we have to do is land near the insurgents’ nest by the mountains. Divide into two teams to clear them out from both sides. My snipers will take care of the loose ends and then, it’s all history.
No matter what angle I look at it, the mission is so easy, it’s insulting. But I don’t underestimate the possibility of something going wrong.
A knock sounds on the door before it opens, and Viktor appears like a wall at the threshold. I’ve known him all my life, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a grim, stoic, and an absolute dull sight to look at.
“They’re ready,” he announces.
“Have you divided their roles?”
He nods.
“Very well.” I push off my chair and burn the intelligence report. I already learned it by heart, so there’s no need for a physical copy.
Viktor and I stride down the hall in silence. I can tell he has things to say—he always does and has played the role of a thorn in my side for decades—but he, thankfully, chooses to keep his thoughts to himself tonight.
Which is all the better since I’m a million percent sure whatever he has to say will be about returning home, taking back the power, and putting my brother and mother in their places.
What Viktor doesn’t know, however, is that everything needs to happen in its own time.
My men are having dinner after a long training day. I gave them so much shit to do, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re too tired to eat or sit properly. But then again, I can’t have any mistakes tomorrow.
They had to learn the path we’ll take by heart. If someone makes a mistake, he’ll risk not only his life, but also the life of his teammates.
I’m ready to give them some leeway tonight—