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“Fine. I want it donerightthis time, Alik. No more of that overdose bullshit. Send a message.”
“Yes, sir.”
I go to turn but stop when Nikita continues.
“I don’t want you going alone this time. Take Sergey. I don’t believe his DNA is in the system. I want DNAall overthat girl, understood?”
I’m struck for a moment by a fist forming inside my abdomen, twisting my intestines until pain hunches my shoulders slightly. I have no idea why I would have this reaction or where it comes from, so it startles me.
I’m going to kill this girl. I can accept that. Even if I have to do it with a partner, I’ll accept it.
She’s a job. I’ve had plenty before her, and I’m hoping to have plenty after.
She means nothing.
Her screams will mean nothing. Her begging will mean nothing. The look of betrayal I can already see in her eyes will mean nothing.
It was odd that I felt the need to peek in on her at the hospital, dangerous even. It was unusual for me to listen for her through her door when I got home the following night. The intrusive thoughts entering my mind are strange and unwanted, but they meannothing.
This is fine.
Of course,this is fine.
Like Roman said, I’m dead inside.
Then why do I feel so goddamn alive?
“Of course, sir.” When I put my hand on the knob, I note how slippery my palm is and frown at it before pulling the door open.
“Actually, Alik, wait,” Roman says at my back. “I’m gonna be the one to go with him, if you don’t mind, sir. I’d like to personally make sure this gets done to my satisfaction.”
I look over my shoulder at Nikita to see him nod. He doesn’t look like he’s over Roman’s outburst, and I’m sure he’ll find a way to punish him. But for now… Looks like Roman gets to bemypunishment.
I head outside without a word to Roman or anyone else in the warehouse we pass, Roman at my heels. When I take out my keys, he knocks them from my hand and passes me.
“Nope. I’m driving.”
My teeth grind.
Truth be told, I don’t get along with many people in the Bratva. Or many people in general. But Roman has never been on my list of people I can even tolerate.
“Just so you’re aware, I regret saving your life back there,” I mutter, bending to pick up my keys.
He laughs and turns to backpedal so he can look at me. “You really think you saved my life?”
I don’t answer as I climb into his passenger seat and stare out the windshield, trying not to think about the princess. About Olive. It doesn’t work, of course, so instead of fighting it, I picture her dead. Her body still, her mouth breathless, her eyes without depth. It should bring me relief, but for some reason, the sight makes me uneasy.
What is happening to me?
“I’m a lieutenant,” Roman says, as if I didn’t already know. What, does he want his ego stroked?
“I’m aware, sir.”
He chuckles and pulls out of the parking lot of our main warehouse. “I’m not saying that so you’ll kiss my ass, dumbass. I’m saying Nikita isn’t going to just kill me.”
“You must not be familiar with the look he gets just before he kills someone. Trust me, he had it with you.”
“Then trust me, he isn’t quite as stupid as you think.”
