Page 6 of Assassin: Part 1

He steps forward, snatching the camera, but he eyes the knife. Smart boy. One throw, and he’ll be gagging on his own blood in no time.

He scrolls the pictures. His face gives nothing away until he reaches the final one, and his brows shoot up. He lifts his gaze to mine, and the scowl disappears, being replaced by his eyes widening. My grin grows. Now that’s more like it. “You did this?”

Well, I spoke too soon.

My grin drops and I scowl. “Do you see anyone else around here with pictures like that? Or, what, because I’m a woman that means I can’t murder someone and be creative about it? Alright, you’ve lost a few points, Romanov. You never tell a lady she can’t do something. Yeesh, you need some lessons. Being around all that dick is starting to rub off a bit, huh?” I snicker at my double entendre.

This is kind of fun. I never get to act silly.

His eyes narrow as he warns, “You are on thin ice.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing I’m an excellent skater and swimmer. Now, as much fun as this is, I have things to see to. Namely, letting the families of this slug’s victims know he’s been taken care of. And I have spent way too much time handling this.” I push up and off the car.

“You’re not going anywhere yet,” Ilya states. “I believe that you didn’t have anything to do with my niece, but that doesn’t mean you and I are finished. I think you and I have a few other things to discuss.”

“Like?” Oh, this should be good.

“Like just who you are and what kind of business you’re into if you’re doing this.” He holds up the camera. “Seems you and I might have a few things we could mutually benefit from if you do this kind of work.”

“You’re offering me a job?” I cheer, rolling my eyes. “Really?”

“Don’t be getting ahead of yourself. There is also the matter of repayment for you helping out my niece. Her father will insist on thanking you once I’ve informed him of our discussion.”

“You mean I get a favor owed by the Bratva?” I breathe.

Oh, this is definitely good. A favor owed to me by Ilya Romanov? A man who hates giving out favors. If he knew who I was, he might rescind that offer just as fast.

His eyes glitter like ice at my statement, but he nods. “You merely need to ask and it’s yours,” he assures me.

Oh, but there, right there at the end was an inflection. He’s lying. Sly bastard. I almost have to appreciate the fact that he’s trying. Naughty boy. What did I expect though? All men are liars, though some are better than others, and Ilya Romanov is definitely the latter.

Looks like it’s time to get on the road. He has no plans on letting me leave or giving me that favor. He wants to own me, and not in the kinky way.

“Oh, well, in that case, let me think about it for a second,” I say, pretending to consider it. I pace, ignoring the annoyed glance from Ilya, and the exasperated looks from his men. Ilya waves his personal guard back.

Silly boy.

I mutter to myself for another minute, dust kicking up under my feet. Pausing, I open my mouth as if to speak then slam it closed and shake my head. I kick my feet, stirring up more dirt. Ilya makes a noise of aggravation as a gust of wind kicks up, sending more dust and dirt flying around me.

Time to go.

I reach into the wheel well, grab the small handgun hidden there, and turn it. I aim, dropping the guards closest to us before I turn it on Ilya. He has his gun out, but not fast enough. I fire a shot into his right shoulder, and he drops the gun. The guards behind the SUV fire at me, but I’m already moving.

“Sorry, pet, but I’m not for sale,” I shout as I rush into my car. “But next time, let’s make this a much more pleasurable experience, huh?”

My tires spin, more dirt and dust flying as I speed out of the parking lot.

I lose all sense of joviality as I turn onto a hidden road I mapped out weeks ago, jump out of the car, and head deep into the brush to the ATV I have waiting.

Time to get the hell out of here.

I just made a powerful enemy, so I don’t have much time before he and his men are after me. You don’t shoot a Pakhan and live. Well, not if you’re caught anyway.

Good thing I’m a master of not getting caught. Ever. Be a bad look for an assassin, after all. I gun the ATV through the thick trees, down the path I scoped out to take me far away from all this bullshit. The plane should be at the hidden airstrip by now to get me out of the country.

My thoughts slip back to Ilya Romanov, unbidden.

It’s too bad he came to be what I expected. Hot but a liar. Willing to use a woman for his own gain. I need to forget about him and focus on my next assignment.