Chapter 3: Protection

IRINA ERIK'S POV 

Pacing the room, I cursed after I sent my sons back to bed at almost midnight. How dare they send an assassin after my baby Viktor? My body boiled with anger as I tried to think of a solution that would help them.

I picked up the phone and called Greb Oleg hoping he was still awake. He answered on the first ring “Madam Irina.” His thick Russian accent came through the phone.

“I know you heard about the assassination attempt on Viktor and Constantine died as a result of protecting him,” I stated.

“So sorry for your loss,” Greb said apologetically.

“I need a plan. I have to protect my kids,” I emphasized.

“Master Erik had already prepared a plan for this. Can we meet in the morning so that we can discuss?” Greb stated.

“Yes. I will be in the office by eight,” I informed him.

“Yes, Madam,” he responded.

I disconnected the call and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Mikael, I miss you so much,” I whispered as I got into bed and cried myself to sleep.

Early the next day, I left the mansion before the boys woke up. By the time I arrived at the office, Greb was already in the waiting area outside of Mikael's office. He stood up hurriedly and extended his hand in greeting. “Madam Irina, I am sorry we have to meet under such circumstances.”

I shook his hand and stated, “Life never gives us a choice. Come into the office.”

We walked into Mikael's office and as the door shut, I felt the dread that was weighing down on me since last night. Greb sat on the opposite side of the desk as I took Mikael’s chair.

“I passed by the New York precinct to get a statement about what happened. Afterward, I went to the boxing club and the guard gave me a narration of the happenings before the shootout. The person who infiltrated the boxing club had been working as one of the Zolotov guards. He must have been hired by either Sasha or Boris, but they will not admit it. The other suspects would be the old guards Benedikt and Rustik. They fell out with Mikael two years ago,” Greb explained.

“Those f*cking geezers,” I cursed.

“The worst bit was that the bullets came from our guns.” Greb's final words made me bang the table with my fist in anger. “We are being attacked from within.”

“I will kill them all,” I seethed.

Greb smiled and then proceeded to say, “But Mikael had already made arrangements in case something like this happens. I have already booked a private jet to Russia. We should leave this evening.”

“Why?” I raised my eyebrows at him, curious as to what his intentions were.

“We are going to get the person who saved Mikael's life ten years ago,” Greb asserted.

My eyes widened as I leaned on the table. “You know about that?”

“Yes. Mikael came to me after. We went to the hospital and did a blood test. The doctors were so surprised as to how he stabilized from the Lupus.” Greb nodded.

“Must I go?” I leaned back on the chair and closed my eyes in frustration.

“The man will only listen to you,” Greb confirmed. “It would be pointless for me to go alone. And now is the right time to invite him to New York.”

***

We landed in Mount Ural fifteen hours later. The cold wind picked up as the snow fell hard on the ground. Greb had prepared two escort cars as we headed to the Lev Industries deep in the mountain.

We arrived at an old-fashioned castle. The guards at the gates had already been informed that we were coming. We were ushered into the castle and new guards followed our car to the foyer. They opened the door for me and bowed. “Welcome, Madam Irina” The guard's thick Russian accent hit my ears. They all wore black suits, black shirts, and black leather boots. Each guard had an earpiece, and I could tell that they wore bulletproof vests under their clothes.

“Thank you,” I smiled warmly.

We walked into the castle and the eccentric decor hit my eyes as my jaw dropped. I stared at the expensive wall paintings and diamond chandeliers. I felt like I was in a movie as my heels clinked on the expensive tiles as we passed through the long corridor. We arrived at the living room, which was filled with white leather seats with black drapes covering the high windows. At the fireplace stood a tall man with broad shoulders who wore a brown suit. His white hair was tied in a ponytail at the back.

“Sir, Madam Irina is here to see you,” the guard announced.

The man turned around and his facial features took my breath away. He had grey eyes, a sharp nose, a pointed chin, and was as handsome as f*ck. I saw him raise an eyebrow and wondered if I had gasped or voiced my thoughts.

“I am Irina Erik,” I spoke up and walked toward him, extending my hand.

“Mikael’s widow. My apologies for your loss.” He took my hand in his and I noticed that he wore brown gloves. “I am Nikolai Lev,” he introduced himself.

“It's a pleasure to meet you,” I smiled warmly. Greb stood at a distance while he stared at Nikolai. “This is Greb Oleg, the legal advisor for Mikael.”

Greb nodded and Nikolai darted his eyes away for a few seconds before he turned back to me.

“Come, Irina. May I call you that?” Nikolai asked—he sounded firm and astute.

“Yes,” I nodded as he pulled me to the white leather sofa, and we sat down. Greb remained standing and Nikolai ignored him.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” he asked.

“Mikael Erik instructed me that I should contact you if anyone dares attack his family, especially his boys,” Greb stated.

“What happened?” Nikolai’s brows furrowed.

“They sent an assassin after my son Viktor. Unfortunately, or fortunately, his boxing coach pushed him out of the way and took a bullet for him,” I informed him.

Nikolai’s eyes blazed and I heard a growl bubbling in his throat. “Is Viktor hurt?”

“He is fine. Though the attempt shook my boys, I am raging with anger,” I confessed.

“What did Mikael tell you about me?” Nikolai leaned back on the couch and crossed one leg over his knee.

“That you saved his life ten years ago,” I pointed out.

A small smile played on Nikolai’s lips before he turned to Greb. “It seems you know more than Madam Irina.”

“Yes. The late boss Mikael told me that you gave him your blood and it saved his life. He made a promise to you in turn. I never expected that the boys would be attacked. Hence I hurriedly asked Madam Irina that we come to the Ural mountains to seek your help,” Greb responded in a hushed tone before his eyes darted away.

“Promise. What promise? What the f*ck are you hiding?” I stared at Greb in shock.

“I am sworn to secrecy by the late boss,” Greb explained quietly.

“I am coming to New York with you, Madam Irina,” Nikolai interjected before I could press Greb for information.