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I’ve cleaned up more of their messes than I care to count in the last few months, but that will end now. Once I pull them into this, put their resources to work, reveal myself and Mishka, they’ll have an axe poised over their neck for the rest of their life, and they need to be fucking better. They need to be smart.

Besides, what I need them for won’t involve killing anyone. I need their skills to find the information. What the official military report didn’t note was that they were an excellent hacker. Not to my level, but enough that they managed to avoid detection from the military during their time.

They’ve also set up a network of other hackers who can find anyone. A network that will be very useful for my plan. Now, just to make sure they understand they need to use it for what I have planned, or I’ll kill them and take it over.

I move to the second folder, finding as little, but my lip curls in a sneer. If they weren’t who they were, I’d never consider them. There is far less about them in this file than the other, but it doesn’t matter. I know enough.

AGE: 26 Years Old

Specialty: Organizes and runs a small group that takes out high-profile male targets that abuse or rape women and children or are known as being part of the sex trafficking trade.

The pictures of them make me want to hate them. No one should be that pretty. Pretty draws attention, and this is exactly the kind of thing you don’t want attention for.

Maybe I can ugly them up a little bit before I start all this …

Nah, even for me, that’s a bit much. Besides, no point in making them angry before we get to the good part.

Especially with the network they’ve created. A network of spies and people who will do whatever it takes to accomplish their mission. Different from the hacker network but useful in other ways.

While the rest of us hide in the shadows, they hide in plain sight, and no one is the wiser. It’s the perfect cover. And I’ve been hearing rumblings that they want to expand. It’s the perfect time to step in.

“Find out where they are now and get me the coordinates,” I order Mishka, ignoring his renewed cursing. The man really hates being told what to do. Funny, considering he has no other choice. I toss him the files, smirking when they hit the table with a loud smack.

“I am not your fucking lackey, Lane. You’re the hotshot hacker, and you can get that shit faster than I can.”

I get to my feet, rolling my eyes. I’m in a far better mood now. Things are finally starting to come together.

“And I already told you, you need to work on that shit because I’m not about to come in and save your ass every time you fail. Find them, and have the information for me before I get back. I shouldn’t be more than seventy-two hours. Which gives you plenty of time since you’re between jobs right now.” I give him a cool smile. “And say hi to the Butcher for me, would you? Tell him I have eyes on Rayea.”

I head toward the door, ready to start the rest of my night, but I stop, turning to look at him over my shoulder. He scowls at the floor, his jaw clenched but then relaxes, shoulders slumping. This is what needs to be done, and he knows it. The Butcher is keeping him on a tight leash, like he knows things are going to happen.

Or perhaps it’s because word has gotten back that his former wife has left the state she’s been confined to for the past almost decade and her death is coming if we don’t get this entire thing done. That means he has to do his part.

I don’t have time for him to bitch and argue. I have a job to do and a plan to put in motion, which includes him doing his.

I wait until I’m in the armored car I’ve ordered for tonight before I pull out my phone. I haven’t told Mishka about the full plan yet, but soon, I won’t have a choice.

Pulling up the secret video feed I always have at the ready, I smile at the execution happening that I planned for tonight. The very one necessary to make sure Ilya gets what he needs. Revenge. More power.

Any good assassin will tell you to never get involved. This is a solo life. Sex is for nothing more than a quick release to take the edge off or to get closer to your target. And forget about relationships.

I’ve decided it’s time for me to have what I want. I’ve done whatever I’ve been told for too long. I’m ready to make my own moves, and that includes him.

Ilya Romanov has no idea the storm he’s created. Or the obsession. One hot encounter and I’m hooked far worse than the addicts the drug lords of the world pump out every day. Staying away from him, working, and pushing to ensure this plan works will be worth it.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself. Or it’s going to end with my death, but every assassin expects to die at some point.

I really hope mine isn’t before I can have his cock inside me again. Fuck, I miss it. Which reminds me, I need to make another visit.

That make-your-own dildo kit certainly isn’t doing any good to me stored in my apartment.

“See you soon, pet,” I murmur in the darkness, putting the phone away as the final blow lands, ending the traitor’s life hanging in Ilya’s torture room.

Ilya Romanov is as ruthless as they come, and I won’t have him any other way. Like knows like, after all.

13

LANE