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  And that tight ass.

  Viktor turned to me just as I choked at the inherent thought. He merely raised a brow at the damning flush crawling up my neck- since he was in full bodyguard, meaning he had no time for my shenanigans- and escorted me up the stairs to the entrance.

  “Our people have all arrived. I have men stationed all around the property and have additional security systems being installed as we speak. There is a large guest house in the back where most of the men that will be in constant rotation around the property will be set up. Our main group will stay in the house, and you will be in the master bedroom that has access on both sides to guest rooms. I will be stationed in one and Fritz will be in the other. All of the main group will be staying on the same floor, with my personal guard team set up in the servants' courters on the ground floor."

  We entered the massive house, and I gave a low whistle at the grandiose furnishings inside. A marble staircase greeted us, with a large parlor and dining hall on either side. The place reeked of class and status and I couldn't help but marvel at it.

  "What a dump." Silas said from directly behind me, and I rolled my eyes.

  "Just because it was formerly inhabited by Englishmen doesn't make it a dump, Si."

  "You're an American, you dare speak to me of class?" Silas said scathingly, moving with Cin around Viktor and myself to the staircase.

  "We'll sweep the second floor and install the cameras." Cin threw over his shoulder, hauling a bag of equipment with him. Viktor and I nodded, moving onwards through the main floor of the house. Our men were everywhere, talking quietly into their Bluetooths, setting up additional security and sweeping the house. I smiled as I saw Meiling inside the front parlor with Fritz, the pair sharing a glass of wine and sweeping the room. Looking behind me, I saw Masamune enter with the Usami sisters, the threesome talking quietly in Japanese while they looked all around with scrutinizing eyes. Listening, I heard the shouts of Kamili and Ludo who had just arrived with Roy outside.

  "Kapitan, the main control room for security will be on the second floor while the sleeping quarters will be on the third floor. We will have constant surveillance, and no matter where on the property you go, there will always be a camera and at least one of our men nearby. Except your bedroom, as per your request. Against my better judgment.” Viktor said, blithely reminding me he wasn’t happy at my insistence at privacy. I just rolled my eyes at him.

  He forged on, not even addressing my impressive eyeroll.

  Rude.

  “We truly could not ask for a more advantageous property to guard. The grounds are laid out with a large wall surrounding them and the sensory system that was here, along with the one we installed, make it easy to track anyone who would dare scale the wall." Viktor went on, escorting me to the kitchen to show me the maids and Maya setting up shop.

  I waved to Maya who chatted at me enthusiastically about the numerous updated appliances in the kitchen. Looking around, I was happy to see that stupid bitch Camila hadn’t joined our band of merry men on our journey.

  Yeah, because you told Maya to leave the bitch behind. Salty much?

  I saw Jazz out of the corner of my eye arguing with two of her men in Albanian as she swept through the main floor as well. Turning back to Maya, I caught the pretty cook smiling fondly at the Albanian woman. Winking at Maya and nodding to the maids, I turned with Viktor back to the second parlor on the main floor, where we found Kiernan and his band of merry men.

  "The Brits left us a fully stocked bar. Good thing, otherwise I would have had a complaint, missy." Kiernan laughed boisterously, he and his men all clasping a bottle of beer in their fists as they began making the beautiful parlor into an armory, with guns and god-knew what-else hanging all around. I rolled my eyes at their antics and again followed Viktor, ascending the stairs to the second floor.

  "The maid staff will be housed in the rooms on this floor with the security monitors through those far doors." Viktor pointed, and I nodded my understanding. We turned down the hall and again ascended another staircase to the third floor. A beautiful corridor greeted us, and I smiled pleasantly at the beautiful artwork adorning the walls.

  "This is our sleeping quarters. Our rooms are furthest down the hall." Viktor said, striding purposefully forward. I was trailing slightly behind him, taking in all the beauty with slight awe.

  You can force a girl from her country, but you can’t force the country out of the girl, apparently.

  We stopped at the last doors at the end of the corridor, and Viktor grasped the handles in his fists, flinging open the doors with a flourish.

  A beautiful lavender and cream room greeted us, and I felt awe and excitement fill me at the simple beauty of my new home. Giving a loud whoop, I ran to the king size bed and plopped down, laughing at the soft down of the comforter enfolding my body.

  "That door right over there," Viktor pointed to the door to the left of my bed. "Goes straight into my room. The door over here by your dresser goes directly into Fritz's chambers. Any questions, Kapitan?" Viktor inquired, one corner of his mouth turned up into a ghost of a smile.

  My smile took up my whole face as I stood up.

  "No, Vik, you have everything beautifully handled. Seriously, I have no fucking clue what I’d do without you. These last three years would never have been possible without you, my friend." I answered honestly. I noted his look of surprise and the twitch of his lips before he bowed. Standing back up, all expression wiped from his face- because he was a big, strong man who don’t need no praise- he inclined his head regally to me.

  "It is my greatest duty, Kapitan. I am pleased you find it satisfactory. All of your belongings have been moved in already. I know you must wish for a shower, so I shall leave you to it. Please come downstairs into the front parlor when you are finished. The Hound shall be here shortly to meet with you, as per your request. Though I would like to again reiterate-"

  “Yeah, yeah, Vik, you’re not a fan. I know. You’ve only told me eight million times.”

  With a final smile and bow, Viktor exited my room silently, closing the doors behind him. In the wake of his absence, the silence beat at me like a hangover, and my smile melted from my face. I bit my lower lip, hugging my arms around my body. A slight trembling had been threatening to come forth since we had landed in Russia, and I had been fighting it the entire journey to the mansion. I looked out the doors of the terrace, taking in the soft glow of the lights from the city in the distance.

  I slowly waded to the doors, placed my hand against the glass of the door and leaned my forehead against it. My gaze remained transfixed on those damn city lights, the glow hitting me in the gut with the force of a punch.

  I was back.

  And I was ready.

  "I'm coming for you… Zakhar."

  • • •

  At the same time, on the opposite end of Moscow.

  Pomest'ye Korol

  Translation: Korol Estate

  "Korol, security is nearly finished for the party." Alexei bowed to Korol, who was sitting in his private parlor, sipping vodka from a plush chair. Korol nodded, staring into the fire that was crackling inside the hearth, not bothering to respond to his second-in-command.

  "Is there anything else you require for the evening, sir?" Alexei inquired stoically, not flinching at the sound of chains rustling and a low, pitiful moan sounding from the floor on the far side of the room. His amber eyes didn’t even flicker in that direction.

  "Yes. Remove her, Alexei. I'm finished."

  Alexei nodded and clapped his hands. Sergei walked in and strode to the far corner of the room where a woman lay in tatters- bloody and bruised with a chain collar wrapped firmly around her neck. Sergei removed the chain and heaved the woman up, calmly walking from the room with her slung over his shoulder.

  Alexei watched the captain leave, then turned again to his master.

  "Thank you, Alexei. Please be sure she is disposed of." Korol waved towards the exit and Alexei bowed to h
im once again, quietly closing the parlor doors shut behind him.

  Korol heaved a heavy sigh, standing to his full height in the center of the room. Walking slowly to the fireplace, draining the glass of vodka he had clutched in his fist, the mafia lord leaned an elbow against the mantle and closed his eyes.

  No matter how many women he fucked that looked like her, or how many women he forced to try to act like her, there was no one that came close to his Emilia. The longing and frustration that was building inside of him boiled forth and he slammed the glass into the fire, punching the mantle. He heard a crack and looked down at his bloody hand, the sanity he tried to hold onto slipping even more.

  "Angel moy. Where are you?" He breathed out, letting the blood from his hand drip on the carpet. Running his other hand through his hair, he sat back down in his chair, breathing another long sigh.

  I need to see you, moy golub'.

  I need to punish you, I need to break you.

  Zakhar looked up, his glasses glinting in the firelight as he breathed his last thought aloud.

  "I need you… angel moy."

  • • •

  Emilia

  "FOXYYYYY!"

  I laughed aloud and held my arms wide for the stunning woman that was screaming her friggin’ head off and steadily running towards me to leap into my arms. Grasping the tall, gorgeous woman close, I buried my face into her neck and grinned, happiness flooding me.

  "My fierce Hound. Oh my god, I missed you! I finally get to see you instead of just hear your voice." I stepped back, holding her at arm's length and soaking in the breathtaking beauty that stood before me. Her beautiful strawberry blonde hair was still long, curling beautifully down her back, and her eyes, slightly unfocused with insanity, still shone that brilliant green that comforted me to no end. She smiled back, gasping as she raised a hand to my hair.

  "You cut your hair, Foxy!" She exclaimed excitedly, running her fingers through my thick mass of barely shoulder length hair. My smile lost some of its gusto, and I just nodded back at her, stepping out of reach of her hand.

  Hound's eyes narrowed a bit, sharpening at my movement- which didn’t bode well for me- but they quickly glossed over once again. She giggled, grasping my hand and sitting us down on the sofa in the middle of the room.

  "Leo is talking with Mr. Ugly out in the hall right now. You finally get to meet him face to face instead of just listening to his annoying voice on the phone! Isn't that exciting? He's so much scarier in person!" Hound giggled maniacally, tossing back a small glass of whiskey she had helped herself to.

  I snorted in amusement, standing up and heading over to the liquor cabinet myself.

  "Hound." I said, facing away from my childhood friend. "Did you gather the information I asked you for?"

  Silence met my soft question, and I turned back to Hound, my face showing not a hint of emotion.

  She met me stare for stare, her eyes clear as a bell. Slowly, her lips turned into a deadly grin, and she leaned forward, setting her glass on the end table. She put her chin into her hand, lifting a brow to me, that deadly grin still tangling her lips.

  "Finally." She breathed, her plump lips making love to the word as it came out on a tantalized breath. She reached to the side of the sofa and grabbed a black bag that I hadn’t noticed before that moment. She extracted six files and laid them out on the table in precise, decisive movements.

  "Six men were at Korol's manor and participated in the assault of Silas three years ago. All but one now answers exclusively to Korol. The five that are still on close terms with him are all businessmen, top executives for his companies that scrub his dirty cash and make it squeaky clean again. And lucky for us, all five of these gentlemen are operating in Moscow this week to be close to Korol during his big event." Hound laid out the details for me while I stood over the table, the glass of whiskey clutched in my fist. I stared down at the folders, murderous intent winding its way through my being.

  "What about the sixth man?" I inquired softly, narrowing my eyes.

  "The sixth one is a little… strange." Hound pursed her lips, tapping her finger against them. "Shortly after your escape, the sixth man seemed to drop off the face of the earth. His house was abandoned, all worldly possessions still inside, and his wife was served divorce papers with his signature already on them. His business was sold off in pieces, all the money going to his wife for alimony. He was a ghost for two years until I finally located him last year."

  Hound looked at me, her tone bewildered. "He is currently serving as a priest at a chapel in Drezna, about fifty miles outside of Moscow."

  I lifted an eyebrow at that, my face still reflecting nothing.

  "Does he think God will save him from my wrath?" I posed the question softly, taking a long sip from my glass. Hound's smile once again morphed her already gorgeous face into that of a radiant goddess as she laughed softly at my question.

  "There is no god, old or new, that could save these men from you." Hound replied just as softly, her face and voice warm with affection.

  "Does Leonid know why you were gathering this information?" I asked, sitting in the chair opposite Hound.

  "That man doesn't ask me questions. I wanted this information and he made it happen for me. In his eyes, that's all there is to it. I just assume he knows I'm going to kill them." Hound shrugged, her eyes clouding over once more.

  "Doesn't he have business dealings with any of them?" I asked, curious.

  "Hm. I didn't ask him, and he didn't say anything. If he does do business with them, I assume it's not a big deal if they turn up dead. Plus, he has enough money and power as it is. He just wants to make me happy, I think. And he knows if I asked him for a favor, I must really, really want them dead." Hound said merrily, shrugging her shoulders.

  Hound sat forward suddenly, peering into my face intently.

  "The question is, do any of your men know that you asked me for this information? Most importantly, does Mr. Ugly know?" Hound inquired quietly, though her eyes were sharp.

  My lips tilted up in a half smile.

  "No. None of them- especially Viktor- know of my plan."

  Hound smiled slowly, tilting her head to the side.

  "When do we begin, Foxy?"

  I returned her chilling smile and felt the burn of revenge clawing at my throat, eager for release.

  "Tonight."

  We both sat back in our chairs as the parlor doors opened and the two breathtaking Russian men that Hound and I were bound to entered. Viktor, donned all in black, bowed from the waist to us, and extended his hand in front of the towering man that had accompanied him.

  "Kapitan, please allow me to officially introduce Leonid Sokolov, the reigning Pakhan of Father of Assassins."

  The man was huge, standing just a few inches under seven feet, with muscles that were outlined by his well-fitting shirt and vest. The sides of his head were shaved, and the thick hair on top of his head was slicked back in a stylish manner with a well-kept beard adorning his face. Brown eyes that seemed to shine with green flakes stared a hole through my being, and I rose slowly from my chair to meet him stare for stare. He had his sleeves rolled up, exposing the various tattoos on his arms. I could see the tattoos extending from his shirt collar up his neck, and assumed the man was covered with them. I noticed the jagged scar over one of his eyes as he stared at me for several moments, not making a move.

  Suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed, holding his torso as his boisterous laugh echoed around the room. I gave Hound epic side-eye, a bit confused and slightly startled, but Hound merely rolled her eyes, sitting back in her seat and staring at her nails.

  "So. Emilia Fox. We meet in person at last. I feel like we are old friends, as much as I hear of you from my dear Alex." The man stepped forward and grabbed me so suddenly, I had no time to move as I was enveloped into a bear hug.

  As I was lifted into the air, I noticed Viktor over Leo's shoulder had moved his hand to the pistol at his waist and was watch
ing Leo closely. I smiled at him, and patted Leo on the back.

  "Yes, Mr. Sokolov, I am so honored that you would bring my dear friend to visit after my time abroad." I smiled up at him as he sat me back on the ground. Stepping back, I inclined my head, waving to the couch that Hound was perched on. "Won't you please have a seat? It would be a delight to share a drink with you. I was able to get my hands on some very, very nice vodka Hound tells me you enjoy."

  "Ah, you know just what to say to get me to talk business with you, my dear." Leo guffawed, sitting himself down so close to Hound that they were touching thighs. He put his hand behind her head on the couch and I watched Hound not move a single muscle, merely ignoring the man as she stared at her nails.

  Forcing the smile down that wanted to crack my entire face, I coughed into my hand. I took my seat across from the couple, and I smiled my thanks to Viktor as he brought two glasses and the bottle of vodka over to the table. He nodded to me and poured the two drinks, sitting down in the chair next to mine and taking one of the glasses as his own.

  "Za zdaróvye!" Leo raised his glass, toasting to our health. We all raised our glasses and took a large drink of our perspective alcoholic beverages, and a large sigh came from myself and Leo.

  "Now, we get to business, da?" Leo said, sitting back and crossing one long leg over the other. He leveled a gaze at me, and his face drained of all joy and became a stoic, terrifying mask.

  "Miss Fox, do you know how much you are worth if I turn you in to Korol right now?" Leo asked softly, his usually booming voice dead quiet. I met Leo's stare, not moving a muscle as I took the large man in once again. Viktor had stopped all movement at the question, as well, and his hand rested on the pistol at his waist, waiting for any movement on Leo's part. I knew if the big man moved an inch towards me, Viktor wouldn't think twice about blowing his head off.