The Untouchable

Chapter 76

"Come on, Danny, no nonsense, okay?" Alexander cupped his face in his palms, staring into his eyes with a strained smile. The tension in the air was palpable; something felt off. Just yesterday, Alexander had been much calmer.

Daniel shook off Alexander's hot hands and looked at the bodyguards clustered around Georgy. The sheer number of them was alarming - he'd never seen so many at once. If they were in uniform, it would look like a prison... Could Sennoy break through such a strong barrier and get him out? Trying to steady himself, Daniel swallowed hard. Tengiz, sensing his gaze, turned briefly before looking away. Had Tengiz ratted him out to Georgy? Had he set him up by giving him a phone to call? It was a personal phone, not a work one, but it could have been a trap to record the conversation. Daniel had tried to be cautious, using a secret Telegram chat instead of calling, but anything could be recorded with the right tools.

"Why are you silent?" Alexander gritted his teeth and pulled Daniel closer. "Danny, if you're planning something, be aware: every bodyguard has sedatives and orders to knock you out at the slightest suspicion. I'll cancel your race right now!"

"I'm not planning anything! I'm just nervous because of you," Daniel retorted, shoving Alexander in the chest with more force than intended, causing him to stumble back. "We've discussed every detail of this half-marathon a million times. Now you're suddenly paranoid, trying to find reasons to back out! You're annoying, Sasha! You're lying, as always! I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!"

"Danny, please!" Alexander, pale with fear, rushed forward and hugged Daniel tightly, pressing his hands to his body. "I didn't lie to you. Everything is still on. I'm nervous too. It's a huge open area, wooded in places - hard to secure. I'm worried about you, Danny. I couldn't sleep last night, thinking about what could happen if you're kidnapped again. What if it's worse this time?"

Daniel tried to pull away but stopped when he saw Georgy and the bodyguards watching. He buried his face in Alexander's shoulder, hiding his blush, and bit his skin discreetly. Alexander hissed but didn't let go, speaking more calmly.

"Danechka, you'll run, don't worry. Just promise me that if you notice anything strange, you'll press the side panel of your phone, okay? Don't wait for the bodyguards; act in parallel. In case of danger, run into the crowd, yell, create a panic."

"I remember the briefing. Let go, they're watching us," Daniel pulled away from a kiss. "And don't kiss me in front of everyone. I told you not to come to the race. You're trouble. What are you doing in gym clothes? Are you running too?"

"I wanted to, but Goshka forbade it," Alexander grumbled. "I planned to join at the end and run with you, but he convinced me it would be riskier. I'll wait in the car."

"Thank God for that," Daniel muttered, resting his forehead on Alexander's shoulder. "Let go! They're ready; we need to go."

Alexander reluctantly released him, kissed his cheek, and turned to his small army, instantly transforming: shoulders squared, legs apart, and a commanding wave of his hand. The trembling, humiliated man became the master.

Daniel hid a wry grin as he picked up his running backpack with the hydration system. It wasn't necessary for such a short run, but no one questioned why he had it. He felt the flash drive with bitcoin keys and a watch hidden under the half-filled water bag. He sighed in relief, realizing he hadn't forgotten them.

The dispersal to the cars was impressively precise. Well-trained men moved quickly and silently in small groups, loading into two G-Wagens and a Mercedes minivan. Oleg and Tengiz approached their Rolls-Royce Phantom. Oleg took the wheel while Tengiz opened the door, checking the area without looking at Daniel. The discomfort grew. Daniel hesitated at the door, trying to catch Tengiz's eye, hoping for a reassuring nod.