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  A sigh came from both Jazz and Meiling, who also plopped into seats. They voiced their agreement, though Jazz kicked the end table in frustration even as she agreed.

  "I don't have a home to go back to." The whispered words came from Kamili, who knelt in front of me by Ludo and ran a hand through Emilia's hair. She stared at Emilia solemnly, and whispered her next statement, as well.

  "My parents were murdered. My village destroyed. I was groomed to be the whore of some rich foreign man since my tenth birthday. I have been sold, traded, and forced to move all over the world by men I don’t even know with more money than I could ever dream of. I was a slave." She paused, and lowered her head to Emilia's, her thin shoulders shaking.

  "Emilia set me free. I can't… I won't… leave her."

  Kamili's quiet sobs filled the room, and Ludo engulfed her in a hug. The small Mexican boy looked up at Smith with tear-filled eyes, but raised his chin proudly.

  "Mi familia traded me as a show of good faith to Korol, knowing what could happen. They are dead to me. Emilia fought to defend me, not knowing who I was, what I have done, or who my family was. She is now, and will always be, mi familia."

  The room grew quiet, and I looked to Smith. Her gaze locked onto mine, and she raised a questioning brow. A tense moment passed before I spoke.

  "I will ask Emilia what she truly wants. And that is what I will give her." I said, though I knew that the doctor and Smith already knew what my answer would be. She merely inclined her head, and then turned to Masamune, who was leaning against the wall by the window, gaze still firmly fixed on Emilia’s still form.

  "What of you, Jap? I know full well who your family is, and who you are. It took me by surprise that you were even captured by Korol."

  Masamune raised his eyes slowly from Emilia to Smith. The right side of his mouth lifted in a half smile and he spoke softly.

  "Well, that would be because I let his men take me into custody so that peace between Korol and my clan would be guaranteed. If I survived Korol’s imprisonment, my clan leader gave his blessing for me to do whatever it is I would like. My duty to my clan, my family, is done. Unfortunately, things went awry when Korol started torturing me, hoping I would submit and work for him. Had we not escaped, he would have executed me upon his return from his meeting with the other Pakhans. He told me that himself after his latest torture session before he left."

  Masamune heaved a sigh and looked out the window into the morning sun.

  "So you see, I am at a disadvantage. I now owe that American girl a debt. And you all should know the Yakuza culture enough to know I cannot leave her side until that debt is repaid. As it just so happens, I also had already planned to take Korol and his empire apart. The fact that I will be pardoned by two of the largest Western Intelligence agencies to do so is just an added benefit to repaying my debt to the girl."

  Masamune turned back and stood up straight, his gaze zeroing back in on Emilia.

  "Though, I am not entirely certain who it is I owe this debt to."

  "You just said it was Emilia, did you not?" Silas spat out, rolling his eyes.

  "That's not what he means, idiot." Cin spoke for the first time, his gaze never having left Emilia.

  Everyone turned to look at Cin, and I raised a questioning brow. Cin finally looked to Roy, and spoke in a quiet, but lethal, voice.

  "You've been awfully quiet, old man. You want to share with the group what it is exactly you know about Emilia and who the fuck you really are?"

  Roy looked around the room at all the convicts for a long moment before heaving a heavy sigh. He sat down slowly in the chair beside him and put his head into his hands.

  "Is there no other way, Smith?"

  Smith smiled, though it was one of profound sadness, and answered in a soft voice.

  "Not after the actions of this morning, Roy. She can't go back, no matter how much we wish it for her."

  Roy's shoulders drooped, and he heaved another sigh.

  "Please treat Miss Fox. Her breathing is shallow, and by the looks of those bruises from last night, she'll be lucky if a few fractured ribs is all she has. I will tell everyone what I know after everyone is showered, dressed, and has some food in them. It's going to be a very long day."

  Smith nodded in acquiescence and looked around the room one more time.

  "Fine, then. At least I know I will only have to make separate arrangements for a few of you if need be. After Roy discloses the rest, I will need an answer from everyone on your intentions, so we can commence evacuation from this country."

  Smith snapped her fingers, and from the shadows in the hallway emerged several men who bowed low upon entering.

  "These men will escort you to separate rooms and be your guards, for now. Just know that there are many more of my men watching in the shadows and I would highly advise against attempting to escape. Anyone who dares to test me will wish they had been left back at Korol's compound."

  Smith's cold eyes promised swift and horrible retribution, and the convicts all gave a nod of understanding in answer to her not-so-subtle threat.

  "Yer going to give us decent food, a shower, and a change of clothes. Why the fuck would anyone be stupid enough to turn that down?" Kiernan yawned loudly, stood, stretched, and nodded at the man on the far end who accompanied him out of the room.

  Everyone followed suit save myself, the two children, and Roy. Roy came up behind Kamili and Ludo and laid a hand on each of their shoulders.

  "Come now, you two. Emilia is not going anywhere. Let's have the doctor fix her up. You both need a bath desperately."

  The two kids looked up at me, almost as if asking me what I thought. I lifted a brow at that, but gave a small nod all the same. Both kids stood and followed Roy and one of the guards from the room.

  "Now, Viktor, please hand Emilia over to Vernon. He'll help Pavel carry her and treat her wounds." Smith nodded at one of the three remaining guards who stepped forward with a bow. He walked over to me, and my eyes flickered. He stopped abruptly, audibly swallowing at the look on my face.

  Smith sighed, rolling her eyes. "Come now, Viktor. She needs speedy treatment and Pavel can't focus with you there."

  The doctor sputtered, flushing a deep red. But he didn't deny it, and my scowl deepened.

  "Don't you want to shower and dress your own wounds? I know they're minor, but they should be taken care of and I'm sure as bloody hell not doing it. Also, I didn't want to say this, but you stink and need a good shave. Emilia needs someone who doesn't look like a homeless serial killer."

  I blinked at Smith, then looked down at Emilia. Her breathing had stabled a little, but it was still not as even as I would have liked. She had at least one fractured rib and the skin around her throat was still red and was in danger of becoming infected. I heaved a huge sigh, then gave a reluctant nod.

  "Splendid! Now please go have a shower, you really do smell awful."

  I scowled at Smith, and the guard called Vernon slowly took Emilia from me, though each one of my movements was slow and reluctant. I stood and watched as Vernon and Pavel took Emilia from the room and just gazed after her.

  Smith walked over to me and clasped my shoulder in her firm grip.

  "Listen, mate, normally I would have at least six of my men on you. And my men's training rivals that of Korol's soldiers a hundred times over. That is how much you scare me. You are a stone-cold killer whose skill level not even I know the full extent of. And I know nearly everything about Korol's men by now. You were one of only three variables that could bring my entire plan to a crumble. You are that terrifying."

  Smith paused and tilted her head.

  "Emilia changed all that. I have no idea how, I have no idea why, but she changed you. You, who were nothing but violence and death, you changed into something… worth more than that. I don't know whether you should thank her or curse her, mate. I truly do not know."

  Smith patted my shoulder, then walked forward.

  "I'll escort you
to your room. It's right next to Emilia, and there is a joint doorway leading to her room. I know that will put you a bit more at ease, though if Emilia says otherwise, I will move you."

  I grunted in agreement and followed Smith up the large stairs to the second floor, where the private quarters were located. She led me to the far-left room and opened the door.

  "Vernon will be outside of Emilia's room. When you're done showering and changing, let him know, and he'll let you in once Pavel is done."

  Smith turned to walk back down the corridor, but I stopped her.

  "Why don't you have any men on me, Smith? What if I try to escape to defect back to Korol?"

  Smith stopped, standing silent for a long moment. She then only half turned her head back to answer me in quiet voice.

  "Do you know how many times Emilia needed medical attention after you were imprisoned?"

  A rage that burned like acid rose swiftly, and my eyes widened with the force of it.

  "It only got worse after you left, Viktor. You weren't there to protect her, you weren't there to distract him from hurting her, and the aftermath was horrifying. She was broken to pieces so many times, I honestly cannot tell you how she survived. Every time I close my eyes, I see the image of Emilia Fox, broken and bloody, screaming in agony after Korol visited her night after night. I can't sleep without hearing the echoes of her screams. I can't sleep knowing she didn't let herself cry, not once, but could only scream at how helpless and weak she was."

  Smith turned back to face me fully. We stood, our gazes burning with a rage so palpable, the room crackled and burned with the raw intensity of it.

  "And you ask me why I'm not worried about you going back? The only thing I'm worried about is that you'll kill him before I have a chance to take him apart piece by piece until he is nothing but an empty shell, not even fit for the dogs to eat. That's why I won't waste my men babysitting you, Viktor. Because you want revenge. Almost as much as I do."

  Smith turned on her heel and walked swiftly back down the hall. I opened the door to my room, walked inside and simply stood in the middle of the room.

  Breathing in… and out.

  I closed my eyes and stood for ten, fifteen, twenty minutes before I moved a muscle.

  "You're wrong, Smith. I don't just want revenge more than you do."

  My eyes slowly opened, and I looked at the door that led to Emilia's room.

  I'll get my revenge if it's the last thing I fucking do.

  Chapter Nine

  Intermission

  Emilia

  Everything hurts.

  I groaned, my eyes fluttering open slowly. I was in a large room with wooden walls and laying in an extremely soft bed. I took a mental inventory of my body, releasing a pained breath at the bruising I could feel even laying down. My ribs felt like they had been scrubbed against brick and thrown in a blender. Shit, they hurt so bad. Turning my head slowly to the side, my eyes widened at the sight of the man sitting right next to my bed.

  He was huge. His black hair was shaved on the sides and laid longer on top, exactly the style I preferred on my men. Sitting with his legs crossed at the ankles, his eyes closed and his chin to his chest, the man’s long, powerful body on display made my heart beat faster. Bandages adorned his wrists, and I could see the numerous scrapes and bruises on his arms. He had on jeans and a tight black shirt that hugged his wide, muscled chest like a clinging lover. His face was beautifully sculpted, with a very slight stubble, and his breathtaking features robbed me of my senses for a moment.

  My entire body feels like a used rag and I still want to jump this dude’s bones.

  His eyes opened, and obsidian intensity caught and held my shocked gaze. He was silent as he assessed my reaction, and I could do nothing but bask in the stare that had kept my sanity firmly in place for the past week.

  "You sure do clean up nice, big guy." My words were scratchy and weak, and my lips tilted up in a half smile.

  He blinked at me, but still inclined his head in acknowledgment. I laughed, then winced at the pain it caused my sides and throat.

  "Are you in pain, Miss Fox?" His rumbling voice, with that Russian accent, rubbed over my skin and I felt my cheeks flush. I half-smiled at him again, not quite meeting his eyes.

  "I'll be fine after a stiff drink. Thanks, though." I started to sit up but winced at the sharp pain the small movement caused. Viktor was at my side so quickly it almost made me gasp. His warm hand was at my back and grasped my hand firmly as he helped me sit up. I smiled my thanks, quickly looking down to make sure I at least had a shirt on.

  Why am I a little upset that I have a shirt on? Take it down a notch there, Scarlet Harlot.

  Viktor sat back down, though his gaze remained on me as I lifted my arms up and worked my shoulders, making sure I still had some range of movement. I was extremely stiff, but the slow movement helped loosen my sore muscles. I reached over for the glass of water at my side and took a huge drink, trying to appease the desert that had taken residence in my mouth. The movement hurt my very sore throat, but I felt the water cleanse and cool all the way down. I sighed, long and loud, but set the glass down carefully, feeling a little more human. He watched me the whole time, his stare unblinking.

  Well, this isn’t awkward or anything.

  "What a morning, huh?" I queried softly, attempting to break the ice a bit.

  He simply nodded, his focus on me absolute. Strangely enough, the intensity of his stare helped me relax, and I leaned back against the headboard of the bed, looking up at the ceiling. I slowly played over the events of the early morning hours in my mind and let myself process exactly what had happened.

  And what I had done.

  "You are different."

  I looked over at Viktor slowly, and noticed his stoic look. Though he was trying to hide it, for some reason I knew he was concerned about me. I half-smiled once again, heaving a sigh.

  "No, Viktor. Sadly, I'm no different. I'm just not the person you thought I was."

  His reaction was a raised eyebrow. I stared at the man in front of me, and I couldn't keep my hand from reaching out. He instantly responded, reaching his own hand out, and I clasped the large calloused flesh.

  We sat like that for minutes, me looking up at the ceiling, silent tears sliding from my eyes and raining down my face. He was silent, and save for a slight squeeze to my fingers, said no words of comfort and didn't move a single muscle while he waited for me to regain composure.

  Finally, I got control of my emotions and looked back over to the large, imposing man I couldn’t seem to let go of.

  "You know, it's funny. I only remember bits and pieces of you from when I first arrived at Korol's. But, I thought about it after seeing you in the dungeon and looking into your eyes again. I knew I had felt that stare somewhere else before. You were watching over me before you got locked up, weren't you?"

  A single nod was his answer.

  "Korol only visited me once or twice a week before you were imprisoned, you know. He was so busy, and someone kept calling for him whenever he would try and stay with me too long. That was you, wasn't it?" I tilted my head, though the twinge of pain at the movement reminded me of the wound at my throat once again.

  Again, a single nod was all the confirmation I received.

  I looked down, bringing my other hand to touch the fresh bandages at my throat.

  "Viktor."

  A look of surprise crossed his face, and he let me see it as my grip tightened on his hand. I knew exactly what he saw as he gazed into my eyes, and it shook him.

  "Stay with me."

  His predatory gaze held my own for a long moment. He suddenly moved and broke eye contact, and without unlinking our hands, he knelt at the side of my bed. He brought his lips to rest against the top of my hand, placed a soft, whisper of a kiss on my knuckles, and brought his eyes back up to meet mine. His stoic look melted away, and for one beautiful moment, I saw the fierce determination light up his breathtaking features an
d bring a fire to his obsidian eyes.

  "Vsegda."

  Always.

  At his response, I smiled fully and brought his hand up to my own lips, kissing the knuckles.

  "Great! Now get up, Sir Viktor. I proudly knight thee as my partner in crime." I laughed, though it was cut short from the slice of pain that shot through my sides. Motherfucker, that hurt.

  Viktor rose to his full, towering height, and bowed at the waist.

  "Miss Fox-"

  "No, no. I said we're partners, Vik. That means you call me Emilia, right?" I slid my legs over the side of the bed, attempting to get up. My muscles groaned in protest, but I slowly put my feet on the ground, and with Viktor's help, stood up. He grasped my lower back, and one hand held mine. I looked up at him, and his intense stare nearly robbed me of breath.

  Tension filled the air, and I felt my libido rise at an alarming rate. A flush came over my cheeks, but I couldn't look away from him. I let my eyelids droop, and my lips parted in a blatant invitation. His head slowly lowered but his eyes flicked downwards to the bandages at my throat. He stopped suddenly, and stepped away from me, releasing my body from his warm grasp.

  I felt a cold chill and looked down. I was clad only in a large cotton shirt that came down to right above my knee and the flush on my cheeks turned into a full burning red across my face as I realized I had no fucking pants on.

  Well, guess I got my wish about being almost naked in front of Viktor.

  Fucking Karma, you whore.

  "U-Um-" I stuttered out eloquently.

  Viktor turned away from me, opening a drawer of the dresser on the opposite wall. He handed me folded clothing items, all the while keeping his eyes firmly away from my body.

  "Here is a change of clothes that will be comfortable. If you need assistance, I will call Meiling to assist you." Viktor started striding swiftly away from me, heading straight for the door.

  "Um, that- that’s all right. Thanks. Is everyone else safe and with us?" I looked after him, my head tilting in confusion. Viktor stopped, nodded once over his shoulder in confirmation, then exited into the hallway.