Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Ye are a fool. No one is allowing us to do anything. It is already done.”
“Net, it is not done. Da, I may be fool, but fool who live to see another day. You and Lev, not so much.”
With that, Aleksandr Krupin gets up to leave. I take the phone in my hand off speaker and lift it to my ear as I watch Ian Black glare after Aleksandr. The tension in the air can still be felt.
“Did you hear that?”
“Da, I heard. One million. Aleksandr not return to Russia.”
“Are you sure? This is your brother.”
“Da, he won’t stop until he kills us all. I know what I have started. I handle others. You handle him. If he returns, he problem for me. Tell Ian deal still on.”
I end the call and step out of my hiding place. Ian turns to me and looks me in my eyes. I can see the rage in his face.
“Lev wants him gone. He says the deal is still on.”
“Aye, ye know what to do, Onyx. I’ve already transferred your money. I will be on my way back to Scotland. Be safe, love.”
I go to ask him about the other mercenary he sent to work with me on my last mission for him. However, instead, I nod and turn to leave. I don’t bother to tell him I’m not going to follow him this time. My baby girl doesn’t need this world to know about her.
Friends and enemies alike. I won’t risk it. Her conception was a mistake, but it might have been just what I needed. This life is taking a toll on me.
Other than money, I have no real vested interest in any of this. Ian is on a mission. He’s playing a long game.
I’m just one of his pawns. I fell into this life to survive. Ian Black became like a father figure to me—that is, when he’s around.
For the most part, I’ve become used to being alone. I know I’m not the only one; Ian has us all over the world. I never understood his interest in me. It’s not anything pervy or creepy, but I know he has my back. He looks out for me.
That’s why I agreed to do that last job. Most times, we work alone, and it gets lonely. No strings, no attachments. Well, I broke all the rules and now I have consequences.
If Ian hadn’t asked me to partner with that newbie, this never would have happened. It’s my fault. I let things go too far.
It’s okay, my little angel. It will be just you and me now. One more job and we’ll find something else.
This time, maybe I’ll go off-grid for good. No more jobs for Ian Black, no more missions.
***
“Room service,” I sing as I knock on the room door of Aleksandr Krupin’s hotel suite.
In and out, that’s the plan. This cart has all the heavy artillery I need for this job. I take a deep breath as the door is pulled open.
Showtime.
“I hope you remembered steak this time,” the big guy who opens the door says as he looks behind him.
I lift the dome from one of the plates and grab the gun with the silencer. Aiming at this guy’s head, I pull the trigger before he gets a chance to turn back around.
I then push the cart inside and let the door click shut behind me. Swiftly, I put a bullet in the heads of the two guys who come into sight first. Feeling someone come up behind me, I turn quickly to pull the trigger.
However, I’m not fast enough. The gun is knocked from my hand. I’m pushed back hard.
My back hits the cart and the momentum of the shove flips me over the top. I land on my feet and pull another gun from under the cloth over the cart. This time, I get two off into his chest before he can charge me.
I curse as the gun jams. Piece of shit. I toss it aside right as someone grabs my shoulder.
I don’t take time to think. I throw my elbow back into his ribs. When he grunts but doesn’t release me, I throw another elbow at the same spot and then the other at his face. I wiggle away before he can get a hold of me.
Spinning out, I plant a foot in his chest and pull a knife to toss into his throat. He drops to the floor, gurgling as he clutches his throat. I pull another gun and rush into the next room of the suite.
I find Aleksandr sitting in an accent chair in that room. I don’t hesitate to put two in his chest and one in his head. A frown comes to my face. That was too easy.
My gut tells me something is off. Sound in the front of the suite causes me to snap out of it. I don’t have time to think.