Maksimillian
It was about ten minutes after we left the Mäkinen manor, which was in the outskirts of Helsinki. We followed the asphalted road where trees and grasses were on either side of it—as I could remember it. It was dark except for the rented vehicle’s headlights. It was suspicious, since the streetlights were on when we passed by earlier, when we were headed to the Mäkinens.
My heart pumped hard in alarm. “Floor it, Sacha!” I barked my order to my bodyguard behind the wheel, and I dialed the Finnish emergency number.
Sacha was confused for a second but did as told. He increased it to full speed, while my other bodyguard, Oleg, beside me in the backseat took his gun from his holster and cocked it.
The operator that answered spoke in Finnish, but I spoke in rapid English. I wasn’t even done delivering my sentence when she asked me why I called, I felt the tires of our car take a hit. I wasn’t sure if it was the front or the back, but it resulted to our vehicle’s imbalance. It spun around while bullets started to rain on us. I was just grateful the car didn’t turn upside down.
My bodyguard quickly pulled my head down, while the three of us let out some Russian oaths. Even though the vehicle was bulletproofed, it was not a hundred percent safe. Apparently, whoever was after my life didn’t know that I secretly rented this type of armoured car. If they did, then they might’ve used RPGs. Or was this just some kind of an attempt merely to shake me?
I tried to peer outside when the car was put to a halt. The windows cracked, but still, the bullets hadn’t penetrated. It looked like we were surrounded, as the bullets came from all sides.
Oleg was about to retaliate, but I held him back by pulling his collar. “Don’t you dare go out or you’ll die!”
“But, sir—”
I didn’t let him finish and addressed Sacha. “Let’s go! I don’t fucking care even if we run with the busted tires!” I ground my teeth, eyes flashing.
The sound of bullets fired continued, hitting the body or the back of the car. I could just imagine how the ruined car looked like at the moment or how the iron wheel may have made sparks against the road.
Still, we couldn’t see the people shooting at us. They were either crouching or hiding behind the trees, as I saw some faint muzzle flashes from there now and then. I could just guess there were at least a dozen of them out there. Who knew if there were even more?
Sacha tried his best to maneuver the car in spite of it being in its hellish form at the moment. The car speedily moved in a zigzag, and it was definitely a bumpy ride until we reached a more populated area.
“Chertovy ublyudki (Fucking bastards)!” An expletive came out of my mouth when we were shot at no more.
Who could’ve ambushed us like that? I thought we were a goner back there.
The call I made was already dropped. I had no idea when. We dropped by the nearest police station to report it. We stayed there for hours, and we had to show my bodyguards’ license to carry firearms. These were scrutinized before we were released and were assured that they would investigate what happened. However, I didn’t put my trust in that. It would be pointless. As long as I’d reported the matter, I didn’t care anymore.
I contacted my private investigator, gave him some instructions, and he promised to do his best to drag the culprit into light. I had not much hope for that either. But still, it was better than nothing.
Everything was frustrating.
I was exhausted by the time I was back in my suite. My bodyguards were on high alert. One of them had already contacted for backup from Russia more than an hour ago. They’d be here for my duration in Helsinki. They would arrive in less than an hour.
My cousin was alarmed upon learning what happened. “Are you all right?” his immediate question when I answered his call.
“Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry. What about you and Aunt Marisha?”
“We’re fine. We’re fine. I’m just relieved you’re safe,” he answered.
“Well, I’m lucky I made that decision to be cautious.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” he agreed, knowing that I was referring to the armoured vehicle. I could imagine him nodding right now. “I sent a dozen people there. The ones we trust the most, of course, so I can be sure you’re okay.”
I chuckled at that. “I don’t need a dozen, Rurik.”
“What? You were almost killed!” he protested.
“Almost, but it didn’t happen, so chill!”
“What? Are you crazy? How can I do that when you were almost killed?” he shouted, repeating what he said. “I’m going to flay that person once he’s caught!”
I laughed at that. “Flay? Seriously?” I took off my jacket, tossed it on the couch and loosened my tie.
Oleg eyed me but was quiet. Sacha was outside the door of my suite, guarding just in case. And as usual. I stayed away from the windows even though the thick curtains were drawn. Who knew if the assassin would use thermal imaging radar to get me?
Oleg and Sacha were loyal bodyguards I had for years, since I started to work at the company. They were assigned to me by my uncle. As for the bodyguards that my cousin now sent my way, they were the ones that our family had in our payroll for years, so we knew them already, personally.
“Who knows it’s the same person who’s behind the death of our grandparents, my father and your parents, huh? What do you propose we do to that person then?”
“We’re not criminals or some savage people, Rurik. We do it by law, if possible.” I knew I was being a hypocrite, but I had to stand by it no matter how much I wanted to avenge the deaths of our family by my own hands.
“I can’t believe you’re saying this to me again. You know who’s manipulating the law, cousin!” Rurik pointed out. I could just imagine his flashing eyes right now. The anguish he felt when his father was poisoned, I could just understand it.
I closed my eyes tightly and took a sharp breath. He was right. The most powerful one was in charge of it. Right now, we had no power despite the money we had. We already used some of it to get the justice we needed, but nothing happened. We had a few suspects, who were in the elite circle, but we had no concrete evidence. Bad blood would just be earned if we proceeded with it. Rurik didn’t care, but I did, for the sake of peace no matter how temporary it was. Because I knew it would go in a cycle of bloodbath if we acted rashly. I just wanted him and Aunt Marisha to be safe. They were the only family I’ve got left.
I sighed. “Let’s just be rational, Rurik, okay? We don’t want more enemies.”
“We didn’t do anything to them, cousin! So why are they doing this to us?”
I shook my head, one hand on my hip. “I don’t know. I don’t know, cousin.” A sigh of defeat left me again. “Just take care of yourself there, all right? I have your mum covered.”
“Oh, she knows that even if you don’t say.” He sniggered though.
“Well, she’s no fool. But at least she’s not complaining and understands the necessity.”
“Well, she’s gotten used to it.”
“Aunt Marisha’s a strong woman. She stands up for herself when uncle died. I know that what she’s doing after that is just to dull the pain away.”
“Well… that’s her,” he agreed quietly.
After our talk, I took a quick shower and slumped in my bed. Oleg and the other bodyguards were outside my room, taking turns after they arranged their shifts and plans to keep me safe.
I then decided to dial my suite’s number in Brașov.