Chapter Text
The team was enjoying a few beers and nachos after a long day's work, unaware that someone was watching them from the car parked across the street. His brother was right. He looked at the picture in his hand one more time. Then he shifted his gaze from the portrait to the real face. It was him, no doubt. And yet the photo didn't do him justice. He snapped the picture on his cell phone and looked for a particular number. Just one beep.
-Igor, I see him. I need to tell him now. We're not waiting any longer. Bring him to me tomorrow morning.
The next morning, Deeks was on his way home, when he ran into Igor One again near his garage "Oh, no, not him again!"
-Sorry, man. Someone's claiming you.
-Claiming me? Claimimg me who? I'm not going anywhere without knowing who it's about....
-Kirkin- was all Igor said as he led him to his car with a friendly grip on his arm, but with an undertone of obligation.
God, how he hated that in Igor One, the way he feigned friendliness and that "sorry, man, I'm just an employee" look but deep down he enjoyed it. Deeks couldn't get over his astonishment: Kirkin? He was long dead, had he left another unresolved issue? Damn it! He, as a lawyer, knew an inheritance could be forfeited, but how did one legally forfeit the inheritance of a mob?
.......................................
-Guys, is Deeks here?- asked Kensi, entering the bullpen.
-Ehm, nope, why?- said Callen, who knew something was wrong when the only response he got from Kensi was a heavy sigh.
-He didn't come home this morning, and he won't answer my calls.
Without hesitation, Callen rose from his seat and ran upstairs, followed by the other two, to OPS and asked Fatima to use all possible resources to find his partner. Maybe nothing had happened. Maybe he had been delayed... Maybe he had lost his balance on the board, hit his head on some rock, been knocked unconscious and now his body was floating somewhere in the Pacific...
Okay, Grisha, don't be controlled by panic. Breathe slowly, in...out...in...out....
They saw the blond safely get out of the water, get into his car, go back the usual way... The lackey of the late Anatoli Kirkin appeared, they exchanged a few words and then got into a red car. Igor didn't use force and the conversation didn't seem serious, just Deeks being Deeks with his endless verbiage from when he got nervous.
-Fatima, keep an eye on that car and warn only us. If anyone else finds out about this, Deeks could be investigated by Internal Affairs again.- indicated the leader as the team left straight for their cars.
.....................
Igor One was getting soft. This time he had covered his eyes with a pink stuffed cloth sleep mask and the eyes of a sleeping unicorn. The horn decorated with glitter of all colors. His surprise was even greater when his buttocks found not a cold chair, but a comfortable sofa. When he could finally see, he found himself in an elegant but extravagant living room. The furniture was of dark wood, very ornate, and the fabrics, all curtains, upholstery and carpets, of a golden color. Before him, in an armchair and holding a glass in one hand, he thought he saw Kirkin himself, but then realized it wasn't him. He was a few years younger than the late mobster, taller, and a little stockier. But that eye color, the shape of his nose, and even the shape of his lips, as if trying to hide a condescending smile were there. Deeks tried to smile casually.
-You know? That's what I like. A little variety. That's what I always say. Since you're going to kidnap me, at least be creative and not take me to an abandoned warehouse full of dust.
The man spoke as if the blond had said nothing.
-Sorry we have to meet like this, Marty- his accent was heavily Russian- Let me introduce myself, I'm Yuri Kirkin, Anatoli's brother- he bowed, offering him a hand. Deeks looked at the hand and then at the man.
-You will understand that my hands are tied- he said raising them to his eye level, showing the ropes that literally tied his hands.
The Russian offered some vodka to the blond, but Deeks politely declined.
-Well, Yuri... And do you plan to tell me why I'm here? Some little matter related to your peculiar way of representing Russia that not all Russians approve of?
-I would like to get to know you better, Marty. Considering that I have something very important to decide before I go back to Russia tomorrow.
-Interesting- Deeks said with mock interest -And what is it that you have to decide?
-Whether I kill you or not. It depends on how I like you at the end of the day.
-Ehhh OK. Will you like me better if I accept that wokka then?