In The Arms of Ivan Dimitri

IVAN SERGIO DIMITRI POV...

A heavy thudding rattled my bedroom door, dragging me out of the depths of sleep. I groaned, rubbing the fatigue from my eyes before switching on the bedside lamp. The golden glow illuminated the room, casting deep shadows along the walls. My gaze flickered to the clock. Four in the damn morning.

Who the fuck had the audacity to disturb me at this hour?

I swung the door open, irritation laced in every movement. "What?"

Martakis cleared his throat, standing stiffly like a soldier awaiting judgment. "Don, the mayor and the chief of police are outside."

I ran a hand through my disheveled hair, sighing heavily. "I'll be out in a moment."

Without waiting for a response, I slammed the door in his face and turned back into the room. The chill of the early morning seeped into my skin as I stripped off my T-shirt and reached for a long robe, securing it lazily over my frame. Grabbing my phone, I stepped out. Martakis was still standing outside, waiting like a stray dog desperate for a second chance.

"Don," he ventured hesitantly as we descended the stairs. "Have you forgiven me yet?"

I scoffed, not sparing him a glance. "When I'm sure my shipment is untouched, then-and only then-I'll consider it."

Silence hung between us as we reached the entrance hall. The moment the doors swung open, the two men outside scrambled forward, dropping to their knees before me like obedient disciples.

"Don," Maximus, the police chief, began, his voice trembling. "I brought it, just as I promised."

I didn't acknowledge his words. Instead, I turned to Martakis. "Have the men check if it's all there."

"Yes, Don," he nodded and disappeared into the darkness.

The mayor cleared his throat, sweat beading on his forehead. "Don, have you forgiven me yet? Will I still run for re-election?"

I merely crossed my arms, saying nothing. Their fate was a pendulum, swinging on the edge of Martakis' return.

The front door creaked open again. Footsteps echoed through the hall as Egor approached. His expression was grim, weighed down by guilt.

"Ivan," he addressed me cautiously.

My gaze sharpened, my patience running thin. "I entrusted you and Martakis to handle this shipment with precision. Yet, you failed me. Do you have any idea how much I would have lost had it not been recovered?"

Egor exhaled slowly. "I know, Ivan. And I deeply regret my failure. It won't happen again, I swear."

I took a step closer, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "If that shipment is even a single gram short, I will demote you both without hesitation."

His mouth parted, disbelief flickering across his face. "What?"

"You heard me," I said coldly. "I'll appoint men who actually know how to do their fucking job."

Just then, Martakis reappeared. "Don, everything is accounted for."

I turned my gaze to the two trembling men kneeling before me. "Feed them to my pet," I ordered without hesitation. "Wipe out their families. Burn down everything they own."

"Don, please! Have mercy!" Maximus begged, desperation cracking his voice.

"Please, Don, spare my family!" the mayor sobbed, his hands clutching at my robe.

I glared at them with cold indifference. "Did I stutter?"

Their cries followed me as I turned on my heel and stepped back into the house, their pleas fading into the night.