Page 13 of Assassin: Part 1

So how the hell did we miss it?

“You know, I was disappointed in you, kotyonek, that you would allow such a thing, but then I started digging a bit further and realized there is no way for you to find out because they did everything they could so you didn’t. Including going to your biggest competitors. All so they could spill your secrets and run their little venture and not have to deal with you and your rules on such things. So you’re back in my good graces. For now, anyway.” She gives me a wink and a sly smile, but I don’t miss the hard edge to her voice.

This insane woman was seriously considering killing me because she thought I was involved in this?

“Who is she?” I get out.

“I’m so glad you asked. This is Carmen Perez, who I believe is the daughter of one of the cartel members you’re currently in a small skirmish with. And she is a sadistic bitch who loves to hurt others and abuse the boys as well.” The grin is replaced by ice. Pure ice as she snips off Carmen’s toes quickly and efficiently on her right foot.

The screams the woman emits are full of agony as blood pours from her and the toes fall to the floor with a soft thud.

“Boss, you might want to stop her, or you’re not going to get your shot at him,” Oleg murmurs so softly behind me I barely hear him.

Before I can agree, the sheers snap again, and I look to find the crazy woman in front of my rat, looking thoughtful, even as he tries to kick at her. “Now, this guy here,” she continues, her tone almost bored, “I believe you know him as Abram, but to the cartel, he goes by the name Alexander. Either way, it’s of no consequence. Because your guy here, his favorite thing to do is go to the families that you employ and take their sons from them, under the guise of training them. Focusing on the families whose fathers aren’t in the picture.

“They take those boys and drive them to an abandoned space your men aren’t currently using or surveilling, rapes them, abuses them, drugs them, and then calls in Ms. Perez to come and grab them to add them to their stables and rings. Some of those boys, I’ve found, and there are people going to get them now on my behalf. The others are dead, never going to come home again.” Her voice is so calm it makes me uneasy. That never happens. It quickly turns to fury as she finishes. “So you’re going to get your chance at him, but first, I have a little something to do before you’re allowed to kill him.”

“Allowed?” I repeat, my voice strangled. Then I hear gagging behind me as she brings up the sheers and clips off the man’s cock and balls in two quick chops. My stomach twists, and my cock wants to shrink back inside me at the sight. Not that it makes any sense. I’ve done a version of the same thing to many men before, but seeing this woman do it, and with the look of satisfaction on her face, my gut clenches and sours; I’m finally realizing this woman isn’t normal.

This woman is one I never want to get the jump on me. I’ll probably never survive it. At least, my dick won’t.

“Fucking hell,” Zakhar rasps, admired and disgusted.

The woman steps back, careful not to step on the appendages, drops the sheers on the table, and dusts off her hands. She gives me a beaming smile. “There, he’s all yours. Though I’d make it quick because I have a feeling he won’t last too much longer before he goes into shock and can’t talk.”

Fury rises again. The audacity of this woman knows no bounds. I pull my gun and point it at her. “Oleg, kill them both. Nothing they have now is going to be useful. It seems our guest here already got the information we need. And anything he told the cartel won’t be useful.” Two shots fill the room as I advance on the woman, who looks unfazed. “You and I, lisichka, we have some unfinished business to settle, and you’re not leaving.”

“Aww, are you still mad about that little shoulder shot?” She sighs. “I aimed high, and I know you were only down for a couple weeks at most. You got so much paperwork done. Really, you should be thanking me.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I snap. She was keeping tabs on me? And no one knew? I don’t like that at all.

She glares at me. “That’s very rude, pet. Did your mother teach you to speak to women that way? I bet she didn’t. And didn’t you learn the last time that you pointing a gun at my face isn’t going to work out for you?”

Before I can reply or let her know what is about to happen next, shouts and gunfire fill the air near the front door. “Fuck!” Zakhar snarls. “Ilya, we have company. We need to get the fuck out of here.”

I don’t agree or disagree, but me glancing in the direction of Zakhar’s voice is all the opening she needs. I blame my stupidity fully on this woman. She messes with every thought in my head. Her foot is up, connecting with my wrist, and I drop the gun as pain shoots up my arm. Then she’s running and ducking behind some crates at the back of the warehouse.

“Fuck!” I snarl, grabbing my gun. I want to run after her, but the gunshots are getting closer, and Oleg is screaming at me to get the hell out. I let the rage fuel me as I follow him through the side door, Zakhar covering our backs.

As we rush outside to where the car is waiting, I realize two things almost too late. We’re surrounded, and my driver is dead, his body slumped over the steering wheel. “Back inside, now!” I yell at Zakhar and Oleg. “Where are the rest of our men?”

“They’re on their way,” Oleg barks. “ETA of less than a minute. We’ll kill these bastards.”

“They’ve got us cornered,” Zakhar states. “And if it’s the cartel, they’re going to blow this place sky-high before long. Or at least try. We need to get the fuck out of here before then.”

A scream comes from my right, and I turn in time to see a man running toward us, gun raised and a mad look in his eyes. From feet away, his head explodes. “What the fuck?” Oleg hisses, his head moving every which way.

More shots ring out of the dark, and I watch as men advancing drop in quick succession.

Where the fuck are they coming from?

Until, finally, the night goes quiet and the gunfire stops as cars peel out of the lot and down the road. We all freeze for another moment before getting to our feet. I freeze when excited feminine laughter comes from above my head. I tilt my head slowly, and my current pain in the ass leans over the edge of the roof, grinning down at me, eyes bright.

“Whew, that was a lot of fun,” she declares. “Been a while since I’ve been able to do that, but nice to know I’m not rusty. And I do believe, pet, me saving your life means I have a second favor owed by the Bratva, doesn’t it?” She winks. “I’m still thinking on what to collect from my first one, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something soon. See you later, kotyonek. I’ll think of you later when I’m using my new vibrator. That sexy voice of yours is still my favorite spank-bank material.”

I want to roar my fury.

She’s gone. Again.