Page 90 of Then We Shatter

We’ll be ready when Vasili leaves. Send through the flight plan as soon as you can.

The conversation between the pair is concise. Their training doesn’t allow room for sentimentality during an active mission. It’s something my brothers and I can only aspire to. Annoying and insulting each other comes naturally, no matter what the circumstances.

“I want to see what weapons you have,” Katarina says. My widening grin makes her lower her gaze to the contours of my thickening cock. “You can keep that weapon holstered, we have too much to do. If Vasili’s returning to Siberia, it’s safe to assume he’ll head roughly north west when he leaves the island. We should get in position for when Sasha confirms his route. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this my whole life. We can’t fail.”

When I rest my hand on her hip, she places hers over mine and her brow furrows. She thinks she has to push me away again. She doesn’t.

“I hear you,” I say. “We’re not going to fuck this up, Kitty, and we’re not going to fuck until Vasili gets eviscerated in a fireball. We’ve got the rest of our lives to do unspeakable things to each other. I can wait.” I lean in and kiss her nose. “Now, let me show you my big as fuck missile launcher.”

Chapter 34

Katarina

Killian is at the helm, and we drop anchor at the location we’ve chosen to launch our attack. I’m double-checking our latest coordinates against the flight plan Sasha’s provided when I hear the crinkle of a wrapper being opened. The tang of cheese and onion hits me long before the packet gets shoved under my nose.

“Eat some,” Killian demands.

Only this man would bring Tayto crisps on a mission. I take a single potato chip, not because I’m hungry, but because Killian will only force feed me something else.

The closest I’d ever come to being nurtured before was with my sestras, but we soon learned to guard our feelings. It’s a shame my uncle only ever considered affection as a weakness. He doesn’t understand the power that comes from love. Power that is going to bring him down very shortly.

Killian rustles the packet, clearly not satisfied that I’ve eaten enough.

With a huff, I grab a handful of potato chips and shove them into my mouth. I’m swallowing just as a message pings.

Boarded.

I jump out of the captain’s seat, but before I can get out of the wheelhouse, Killian grabs my arm, pulling me back against him. “Let’s send him to hell,” he says before smashing his lips against mine. The fact that my kiss tastes of cheese and onion seasoning will be an added bonus for this crazy man.

While I race to get into position, Killian fires off a message to the Griffins. Ash and Mace have been enjoying a little vacation in Hawaii, island hopping so they’re on hand when we need extracting. By tonight I could be sipping cocktails on a beach while Killian feeds me yet more snacks.

We’ve attached the missile launcher to a tripod on the mid-section. Our set up is camouflaged with fishing nets and surrounded by barrels and an ice chest to keep our mini-arsenal of weapons and ammunition from view. We have handguns, knives and an assortment of rifles and grenades if we need them. In truth, one missile should be enough.

The timber deck is warming with the rising sun and as I crouch down behind the tripod, sea air mixes with the stink of fish and the lingering smell of Tayto crisps. I lick my fingers before picking up my binoculars. There isn’t a dark cloud in sight. The next storm will be of my making.

Killian starts up the engine and there’s the clank of the anchor being raised in case we need to adjust our position quickly. I’m hoping we don’t as I scan the horizon for confirmation that we’ve chosen the right position, and while I wait, Killian comes alongside me. There’s a tug at my waist as he tightens my bulletproof vest.

We’ve changed out of our wet suits and I’m wearing khaki shorts and t-shirt. Killian’s outfit consists of bright Bermuda shorts and a Kevlar vest, the dark ink of his tattoos rippling over muscles my fingers itch to explore in sunlight for a change. Later.

A dark speck appears in the distance, heading in our direction. We’re not directly under the helicopter’s path, but close enough.

I take a deep breath, expanding my chest to make room for the nerves fluttering in my belly. I’ve waited a long time for this. “I see him.”

Killian chambers a bullet in his long-range rifle. He’ll aim for the pilot at the same time I release the missile. It’s a failsafe in case the pilot has time for evasive action, or if I miss, which I won’t.

I’m about to swap my binoculars for the scope on the missile launcher when the helicopter pauses in midair. Spiders crawl down my spine as I sense us being watched.

“Fuck,” I mutter as the helicopter veers to the left, turning sharp enough that I can see the insignia on its side. “They’re changing course.”

“A chase it is then,” Killian says, hoisting his rifle over his shoulder. “Keep your head down, lovely.”

He races back to the wheelhouse and when the engine roars and the boat lurches, so does my stomach. The helicopter is too far away to engage in a meaningful attack, and if Vasili chooses to escape, he will. We won’t win in a chase no matter how fast this boat can move. There’s only one way to persuade Vasili to hang around for a fight now.

I stand up.

“Come get me, you bastard,” I curse.

“Katarina, get the fuck down!” yells Killian from behind me, his voice scratched with fear.