The sound was a grotesque symphony: the crunch of bones shattering, the squelch of flesh being torn apart, and the gurgling gasp of the victim as the projectile tore through vital organs. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc, painting the floor with a macabre splatter. The man's body jerked violently, a final, desperate convulsion, before collapsing into a lifeless heap.

I stood in the center of the chaos, the pungent stench of gunpowder and blood mingling in the cold, heavy atmosphere. The grimy walls, splattered with dark red stains, seemed to close in around me, a fitting backdrop for the scene unfolding before my eyes.

The men who had dared to double-cross me lay scattered across the floor, their bodies twisted in grotesque final poses. Each shot, each strike, had been deliberate-a message to anyone else who might think they could test the limits of my patience. My eyes, cold and unfeeling, surveyed the aftermath with the same detached precision with which I had executed the task.

Nikolai, ever at my side, was methodically checking the perimeter, ensuring that no one had slipped through the cracks. His presence was a comforting constant in this world of betrayal and bloodshed. I didn't need to give him instructions; he knew exactly what needed to be done.

"So," I started my voice dangerous yet calm streaked across the room. "Will you speak alone or do I have to make you?"

The men trembled in fear while their leader remained normal as if testing me. A smirk formed on my face as I sighed, moving towards the large weapon table. I took a moment to wipe the blood from my hands, the red stain a stark contrast against the pale skin of my palm.

My thoughts turned to the upcoming meeting with Svetlana and her people. They had made their choice, and it was clear they had underestimated what my presence would mean.

The night was still young, and there were more pieces to move, more plans to set in motion. My world was one of calculated brutality, and every action, every decision, was part of a larger game-a game I intended to win.

"S-sir, please let us go. This is not what w-we wanted," one of the men stuttered while speaking, his pathetic begging grating on my nerves.

I turned my gaze to him, my eyes narrowing. "What you want is irrelevant. You made your choice. Now, you face the consequences."

He flinched, but remained silent, his eyes wide with terror. His defiance, if you could call it that, was already crumbling. I could sense it.

"Very well," I said, my voice low and menacing. I pulled a silenced pistol from the table, its cold weight familiar and reassuring in my hand. "Let's make this quick."

The man's eyes widened further, his breath coming in rapid, panicked gasps. "No, please-"

The gunshot was muffled but still echoed through the room, the bullet finding its mark with deadly precision. The man's head snapped back, a spray of blood and brain matter painting the wall behind him as his body crumpled to the ground.

I turned my attention to the next man, visibly shaking, his face pale and eyes filled with dread. "Your turn," I said, almost casually. "Do you have anything useful to say?"

The man whimpered, shaking his head frantically. "I-I don't know anything! Please, I swear!"

My finger tightened on the trigger, and the second shot rang out, ending his pitiful pleas. His body fell, joining the others in a growing pile of lifeless forms.

I walked over to the leader, who had maintained his stoic facade throughout the ordeal. He looked up at me, his eyes hard and unyielding.

"Impressive," I remarked, kneeling down to his level. "But your bravado will only take you so far."

He spat at my feet, his expression defiant. "Do your worst. I won't betray my men."

I smiled a cold, predatory grin. "Oh, I intend to."

I signaled to Nikolai, who immediately brought over a set of tools. Torture these soulless creatures was my favorite, they will speak at the end of the day.

I selected a pair of pliers, testing their grip. "Let's see how long your loyalty lasts," I said, gripping one of his fingers.

The leader's eyes widened in realization, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to make a sound as I began my work. His silence only fuelled my determination.

The first snap of bone was loud in the otherwise silent room. His body tensed, but he didn't scream. I admired his resilience, but I was relentless, moving to the next finger without hesitation.

By the time I was finished with the second finger, his hands were a mangled mess of broken bones and torn flesh. His breath came in ragged gasps, sweat pouring down his face, but he still hadn't spoken.

I stood, wiping my bloodstained hands on a rag. "Nikolai," I said calmly, "Keep him alive. We'll continue this later. For now, let's regroup and prepare for our next move."

Nikolai nodded, dragging the barely conscious man away. I watched them go, my mind already shifting to the next steps.

This was just the beginning. There was still much to be done, and I had no intention of stopping until every loose end was tied up and every threat eliminated.

The leader's stoic facade finally broke as Nikolai started to drag him away. Tears streamed down his face, and he began to sob uncontrollably. "Please! Please, stop! Don't do this!"

I chuckled as I turned to him, raising my eyebrow. "Why should I? I should've killed you the second I killed your men."

"No! No, please! Don't kill me please," he begged as I watched him with a smirk. I signaled for Nikolai to take him away he nodded before a few guards surrounded the man, grabbing him by his shoulders as they moved him away.

With a dissatisfied sigh, I left the basement as my footsteps echoed in the dark, misty hallways.

As I reached my office, I changed my blazer to a different one and threw the one I had on in the garbage. The sound of two firm knocks interrupted my concentration, the sharp raps on the door breaking the silence as I sat down on my office chair.

"Come in," I called out as Irina stepped inside with a professional yet friendly smile.

"Dimitri, the files about the case you asked for," she handed me the papers in her hand as I nodded, moving my eyes around the top.

I hadn't looked up again, but I could feel her lingering presence, standing resolutely in place. "You can go," my eyes glued back to the papers in my hand.

Irina hesitated, her presence lingering. "Can I ask you something?" she ventured, her tone carrying a hint of nervous anticipation.

My expressions must've portrayed my annoyance, causing her to shift uncomfortably with embarrassment. Nonetheless, I signalled for her to proceed, indicating she should speak.

"Uh, are you free later on?" she asked timidly. "I was thinking that we could have dinner at this new place. If you want to though, you can definitely say no if you want."

I passed her a smile, my features softening. "Sure, is 8, okay?"

Her eyes lit up with happiness as she nodded. "Yeah, of course. We can leave at 8."

With a huge smile on her face, she left the room as I shook my head. Irina wasn't someone who deserved to be treated unjustly, a nice, beautiful woman like her was one in a million.

As I mulled over my own uncertainties-whether I needed her or what I truly desired-Nikolai entered, interrupting my contemplation. He took a seat across from me, his gaze steady. "What were you able to find?"

"Nothing much," I replied as I scoffed. "Slavik is a sneaky bastard."

"Yeah. Oh, by the way, our shipment is late today. The guards were saying Norwin hasn't updated anything since last week," he said while I hummed.

"I know and if he's dead, send someone to get the shipment and possibly his body," he chuckled as he sat down in front of me, making me glance at him. "You're so casual and sure I'll work on that."

I sensed a bit of sarcasm in his tone which didn't make me laugh at all. "What do you want?"

He shook his head slowly while staring at me as I raised a brow. "Irina was just here, wasn't she?" Nikolai hesitated for a moment, then said, "She seemed unusually happy. I didn't think she'd be like that after everything."

I didn't respond immediately, my mind drifting. Nikolai's observation was noted, but it didn't stir much interest in me. Happy? She shouldn't be. Before I could form a reply, my phone rang, cutting through the conversation.

With a sigh, I picked up the call, my thoughts still tangled. It was Igor, one of my main lieutenants.

"Boss, Svetlana, and her people have landed in Novosibirsk," Igor's voice came through clearly.

I straightened, the seriousness of the situation settling over me like a shroud. "Understood," I said, my tone hardening. I looked at Nikolai. "It's time to go."

Word Count- {1583}

A/N

Finally Dimitri's pov! What do you think? Let me know y'all!

How was this chapter? I will really appreciate if you give your honest review :)

Anyways, see you in Ephemeral Hearts soon!

xoxo

-lily