Heads snap back, feet stumble, and knees hit the floor – death bleeds on the tiles, splattering against the white walls – revealing the true horror this compound holds.
When we step out into the sunlight, Alexei moves next to me, and while he takes over shooting, I quickly reload my Heckler & Koch.
Alexei begins to move, and with my steps matching his, I keep taking out the threats as we head toward our jeep.
“You’d think the men would be better trained,” Alexei says, disappointment coating his words as he buries a bullet in another guard.
I let out a sigh because even I expected more action, but this is like taking candy from a kid. Extremely anti-climatic. With my heartbeat steady, I take out the last man, then grumble, “Let’s get out of here.”
Alexei slides behind the steering wheel, so I’ll have my hands free should we encounter any problems. Once I’m sitting in the passenger's side, he says, “This job is starting to get boring.” He gives me a chuckle. “I’m blaming you for killing everyone too quickly.”
Shaking my head, my eyes scan for any sign of a threat as Alexei steers the jeep off the compound’s grounds. “You wanted the best protection.”
“I also wanted action. Heart pounding, cock hardening exhilaration,” Alexei says, the corner of his mouth lifting.
Raising an eyebrow at him, I mutter, “I can always take a vacation.”
I have no idea what I’d do with a vacation. The concept is foreign to me.
This time a burst of laughter explodes from my best friend's lips. “Not a chance of that ever happening.”
Alexei’s phone vibrates, and taking it from his pocket, he hands it to me so he can keep his attention on the shitty dirt road we’re on.
“A text from Carson,” I say as I open the message.
Carson: She looks like an innocent. Check it out.
I quickly type a reply on behalf of Alexei. On it.
Opening the other message, my eyes scan over the information Alexei’s younger brother forwarded to us.
Contract: Ariana Robinson
Business: Illegitimate heir – Ivanov.
Time: 2 Weeks
Location: Seattle, USA.
Fee: $15 000 000.00
“Carson wants us to check out a contract that’s been ordered on Ariana Robinson. Do you know her?” I ask, not recognizing the name.
“Seriously?” Alexei asks, his eyebrows lifting with surprise. “Read the contract to me.”
I relay the information to him, and then he shakes his head. “Fuck. She’s Sergei’s daughter from an affair he had.”
“Someone’s trying to take out the head of the Bratva’s daughter? I didn’t know Yuri had a half-sister.” Then frowning, I continue, “I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, but how the fuck do you know everything?”
Alexei gives me an arrogant grin. “Because I’m God.” Then his expression turns serious again. “Once we’re airborne, I’ll try to get in touch with Sergei. Find out what Ariana’s address is and if anyone has accepted the contract.”
“Why? I thought you were all-knowing,” I taunt him.
ARIANA
Turning off my camera, I let out a tired sigh. Creating makeup tutorials is exhausting, but I need to push through and get the videos out there if I want to broaden my following on social media.
I upload the video onto TikTok and Instagram, then put my phone in my bag. Checking the time on my watch, a pleased smile forms around my lips.
Eleven O'clock. Perfect.
I have a list of things to get done today before I can stop by the nursing home where my mother is. She has Alzheimer's Disease, and when it first started, I was able to take care of her. But since she’s forgotten who I am and where I live, I had to place her in the nursing home for her safety. I now visit her every Saturday afternoon.
At least I don’t have to worry about the monthly payment for the nursing home. The money my father sends from Russia every month covers it. I had to sell our house and move into a smaller apartment, so my own income would be sufficient for my personal needs because I still haven’t told my father about my mother’s deteriorating health. He hasn’t been well, and I don’t have the heart to make my problem his.
I could always reach out to Yuri, my half-brother, but we’ve never actually been close growing up, and it would just feel awkward.
Besides, it’s not like I’m struggling. I like the smaller apartment. It’s easy to keep clean, and I don’t feel as lonely as I did in the bigger house.
Making sure I have everything I need, I leave my apartment and make my way to where my scooter is parked. I strap on my helmet and climb onto my scooter. Starting the engine, I carefully move onto the road, and soon I’m zipping from one place to the next.
There’s a smile on my face as I stop at my favorite Starbucks to grab a vanilla latte. I love my independence and being able to do what I want whenever I want. My life is exactly the way I like it, uncomplicated. I don’t have any close friends, but I have many acquaintances I can hang out with whenever I feel like a night out on the town.