Chapter 16 - The Apex Predator Returns
Julian Vance stood in the ruined lobby of the foundation, staring blankly at the diamond ring resting in his bloody palm.
The police had been bribed to stay away.
The only people in the building were Julian’s men, heavily armed and waiting in terrified silence.
Julian did not shout. He did not throw things.
The transformation was much more terrifying than a temper tantrum.
All the warmth, all the light, all the humanity that Clara had slowly coaxed out of him over the last six months vanished entirely.
His blue eyes turned completely dead.
He was no longer a philanthropist. He was no longer a legitimate businessman.
He was the King of Boston’s underworld once again, and someone had stolen his queen.
Julian slowly put the ring into his breast pocket.
He turned to Elias, who was refusing medical treatment for his shoulder until the briefing was over.
“How many men did we lose?” Julian asked, his voice an empty, echoing void.
“Four dead. Six wounded,” Elias reported grimly. “They used a fake ambulance to bypass the street cameras. They are gone.”
Julian nodded slowly.
He pulled out a burner phone he hadn't touched since the day he met Clara.
He dialed a number, waiting for the harsh voice on the other end to pick up.
“Vance. Thought you went soft,” the voice rasped.
“I want the location of every rat hole the Volkov syndicate ever used in this state,” Julian demanded quietly. “I want the names of anyone who ever sold them weapons, vehicles, or shelter.”
“That’s a lot of information, Julian. Gonna cost you.”
“I don't care what it costs. If I do not have a location in one hour, I will personally come down there and flay you alive.”
Julian hung up the phone and looked around at his assembled men.
“We do not stop. We do not rest,” Julian commanded, his voice dripping with lethal intent.
“Find Alexei Volkov. And when you do, tell no one. He is mine.”
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Julian walked out of the shattered building, leaving a trail of absolute dread in his wake.
He was going to burn the city to the ground to get her back.
