38 Volkov’s Army

In the middle of the night, the hardware store owned by the Bratva was deserted. Everything was dark except the room upstairs. Vladimir sat at his table in his makeshift office and awaited the call from his men. His eyes were fixated on the phone. Every passing minute added to his anxiety. The plan was fool proof. It had taken them a week and a lot of resources to come up with it. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get on his boss’s good side. Hugo Ortiz was wide open and all Vladimir had to do was to score. Hugo was going to meet his woman at her house tonight. This piece of information was enough for Vladimir to arrange an ambush. Drops of sweat formed on his pale forehead. His focus was disturbed by a pained groan emerging meters away from him. The source was Gabriel who was tied to a chair, barely holding on to his life. The old man was bleeding from head to toe. Vladimir didn't like the distraction.

“Can you please shut the fuck up?” Vladimir yelled and threw a paper wei