Viktor was exhausted from the previous evening’s activities. He didn’t want to, but he answered the phone.

“What is it, boss?” Viktor said in a groggy voice.

“Are you back from the states?” Alexei asked.

“Da!”

“The Munich facility is under assault, so you need to take immediate action to secure the facility,” Alexei said.

“Consider it done.”

Viktor pushed aside his companion from the previous evening’s fun, phone in hand.

“Glad I have Marcus on speed dial!” Viktor said as his companion put a pillow over her head.

“Marcus, I hope you’re in Munich.”

Viktor kept special security teams on standby near every high-value facility. Marcus was an American former marine who was tougher than anyone Viktor had ever known.

“Yes, I’m here,” Marcus said. “What do you need?”

“Check Pretzelverse HQ. It is under attack.”

“Acknowledged.”

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

As Viktor ended the call, he heard an urgent rapping on his door. He opened it to find a concerned-looking Alexei. Viktor’s female companion made a run for the bathroom.

“I didn’t expect you so soon,” Viktor said.

“I just landed, did you send the team?” Alexei said.

“Da, they are on the way; we wait now.”

“Alexander called me just before I reached out. He is not the most perceptive guy, but something he told me about the guard didn’t sound right.”

“Does Alexander have any fighting experience?” Viktor said.

“No, but he is a hell of a good front man. He does what he is told, and we’ve been able to keep Pretzelverse as a viable legitimate business.”

“I’m sure he’s okay. Anyone handpicked by you is made of hearty stock,” Viktor said as he put a hand on Alexei’s shoulder.

It was rare for Viktor to show any signs of affection. Alexei and Viktor had been friends for years.

Viktor is a tough bastard. He survived the Gulag, Alexei thought.

Forty grueling minutes later, Viktor’s phone rang. It was Marcus.

“What news?”

“It’s not good,” Marcus began. “We have a damn massacre on our hands. Still sorting through the bodies. We have fifty confirmed casualties.”

“Any idea what they were after?” Viktor said.

“I believe it has something to do with what was in the vault. It was tampered with, and the attackers stole whatever was in there. We have little time left. We should notify the German authorities—”

Alexei grabbed the phone from Viktor. “This is Alexei. Have you checked on Alexander?”

There was silence for a long time.

“Sorry,” Marcus said at last. “He didn’t make it.”

Alexei ended the call and handed the phone back to Viktor, who sat down and put his face in his hands. Alexei couldn’t believe it. The fabric of both his businesses was unraveling before his eyes.

“Call Ron in. I need to talk with him,” Alexei said.

“I’ve tried, and I can’t reach him,” Viktor said.

“Too much time has passed. Call in the German authorities,” Alexei said.

Viktor nodded and made the arrangements.