Chapter 1
Change of Course
Onyx
About thirty-nine years ago …
“Net, my brothers and sisters aren’t interested, my friend.”
Ian snorts as he hears the same lie I do. I peek through the crack of my hiding place. The look on Aleksandr Krupin’s face confirms what my ears tell me.
He’s lying and that smug-ass grin says it all. I never did trust the Krupins. I don’t think Ian does either, with the exception of Lev. If you ask me, the entire family should be certified.
“Funny, when I spoke to Lev, he spoke a different story.”
“Da, but it is my approval you seek. I say no. It is disrespect to me you go to younger brother first.”
“Then why did ye come here?”
“I hear noise, I want to see who make. I like to see rat before set trap.”
“Are ye threatening me?”
“No threat. Just promise. The answer net, and we will not allow this.”
“Ye are a fool. No one is allowing us to do anything. It is already done.”
“Net, it is not done. Da, I may be fool, but fool who live to see another day. You and Lev, not so much.”
With that, Aleksandr Krupin gets up to leave. I take the phone in my hand off speaker and lift it to my ear as I watch Ian Black glare after Aleksandr. The tension in the air can still be felt.
“Did you hear that?”
“Da, I heard. One million. Aleksandr not return to Russia.”
“Are you sure? This is your brother.”
“Da, he won’t stop until he kills us all. I know what I have started. I handle others. You handle him. If he returns, he problem for me. Tell Ian deal still on.”
I end the call and step out of my hiding place. Ian turns to me and looks me in my eyes. I can see the rage in his face.
“Lev wants him gone. He says the deal is still on.”
“Aye, ye know what to do, Onyx. I’ve already transferred your money. I will be on my way back to Scotland. Be safe, love.”
I go to ask him about the other mercenary he sent to work with me on my last mission for him. However, instead, I nod and turn to leave. I don’t bother to tell him I’m not going to follow him this time. My baby girl doesn’t need this world to know about her.
Friends and enemies alike. I won’t risk it. Her conception was a mistake, but it might have been just what I needed. This life is taking a toll on me.
Other than money, I have no real vested interest in any of this. Ian is on a mission. He’s playing a long game.
I’m just one of his pawns. I fell into this life to survive. Ian Black became like a father figure to me—that is, when he’s around.
For the most part, I’ve become used to being alone. I know I’m not the only one; Ian has us all over the world. I never understood his interest in me. It’s not anything pervy or creepy, but I know he has my back. He looks out for me.
That’s why I agreed to do that last job. Most times, we work alone, and it gets lonely. No strings, no attachments. Well, I broke all the rules and now I have consequences.
If Ian hadn’t asked me to partner with that newbie, this never would have happened. It’s my fault. I let things go too far.
It’s okay, my little angel. It will be just you and me now. One more job and we’ll find something else.
This time, maybe I’ll go off-grid for good. No more jobs for Ian Black, no more missions.
***
“Room service,” I sing as I knock on the room door of Aleksandr Krupin’s hotel suite.
In and out, that’s the plan. This cart has all the heavy artillery I need for this job. I take a deep breath as the door is pulled open.
Showtime.
“I hope you remembered steak this time,” the big guy who opens the door says as he looks behind him.
I lift the dome from one of the plates and grab the gun with the silencer. Aiming at this guy’s head, I pull the trigger before he gets a chance to turn back around.
I then push the cart inside and let the door click shut behind me. Swiftly, I put a bullet in the heads of the two guys who come into sight first. Feeling someone come up behind me, I turn quickly to pull the trigger.
However, I’m not fast enough. The gun is knocked from my hand. I’m pushed back hard.
My back hits the cart and the momentum of the shove flips me over the top. I land on my feet and pull another gun from under the cloth over the cart. This time, I get two off into his chest before he can charge me.
I curse as the gun jams. Piece of shit. I toss it aside right as someone grabs my shoulder.
I don’t take time to think. I throw my elbow back into his ribs. When he grunts but doesn’t release me, I throw another elbow at the same spot and then the other at his face. I wiggle away before he can get a hold of me.
Spinning out, I plant a foot in his chest and pull a knife to toss into his throat. He drops to the floor, gurgling as he clutches his throat. I pull another gun and rush into the next room of the suite.
I find Aleksandr sitting in an accent chair in that room. I don’t hesitate to put two in his chest and one in his head. A frown comes to my face. That was too easy.
My gut tells me something is off. Sound in the front of the suite causes me to snap out of it. I don’t have time to think.
I can only react. I move quickly into the corner and squat down out of sight. As I glance around for my escape route, something catches my attention.
Hiding under the bed, trembling in fear, is a little kid. Now I understand why Aleksandr didn’t put up a fight. I caught him off guard. The Krupins are known for trafficking, another reason why I think Ian should have cut his losses.
The kid’s little blue eyes are locked on mine. I lift my gun to my lips to tell them to remain silent. I don’t kill kids.
It’s one of the rules. Kids are a hard no. Knowing I need to move this out of the kid’s sight, not wanting them to witness any more than they already have, I quietly move toward the door.
Moving back into the other room, I make sure I can’t be seen. I’m outnumbered and it’s clear I’m going to have to shoot my way out. I tug at my bulletproof vest and smooth a hand over my belly. I need to get out of here and back to my baby.
I inhale and stay low as I run for the cart I left behind. Halfway there, I drop down to my knees and slide. I grab the rifle from beneath the cart and roll to my feet. In the next breath, I air the place out then grab my bag from the cart and take off for the door.
Once in the hall, I go to run to my right to head for the elevators. However, I spot more of Aleksandr’s men heading in my direction. I turn and dash for the other corridor to race down the stairs.
When the door closes behind me, I snatch off the wig I’m wearing. Then I pull out the trench coat from my bag to toss on over the uniform I’m wearing and to conceal my rifle. Shouting comes from above as I race to the ground level.
I push a bit harder and make it to the exit. As I push through to the lobby, I take a calming breath. Calm as a cucumber, I walk through the lobby as if nothing is happening. I tug a hat from my pocket and pull it onto my head as I get outside.
“You can do this, love. One more block,” I whisper to myself.
I keep moving, heading for the coffee shop I pinned for my getaway. The tension begins to ease as it comes up on my right. I jog across the street and push through the doors.
“Ach, excuse me. I’m sorry, love. Are ya all right?”
I look up into a pair of green-gray eyes, and my breath is taken away. He gives me a huge smile. I fall speechless and want to kick myself.
My baby’s father did the same thing to me. I don’t know what’s going on with me. I’ve never been crazy about men like this.
“No, it’s my fault. I’m sorry. Let me buy you another drink,” I say as I snap out of it and look at his coffee-covered sweater.
“It’s fine, but maybe I can buy ya one.” He looks down at his watch. “I have some time. It’s not every day an angel runs right into ya.”
I look around. I need to go to the bathroom where I planned to stow away my things, but sitting with him will work.
“Sure, I just need to head to the ladies.”
“Ach, no problem. I’ll get our drinks and a table. Take yer time.”
“Okay, thank you.”
He gives me a wink, and I head to the restroom. As I’m changing into the clothes I left in the stall here, my phone rings. I wrinkle my brows as the number doesn’t look familiar.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Da, you and Lev have taken something from me. He allowed you to spill our blood. Now I will slaughter you and all you love. I will find you.”
“Good luck with that,” I snap and hang up.
I close my eyes and exhale. Ian isn’t going to like this. I have no doubt that Lev Krupin is dead, and his brother got my number from his phone.
The Russians are definitely out. I knew they would be a problem. However, none of this is my business.
I finish up and head back out to the table where my coffee date is waiting. He looks up from his phone as I walk over. He gives me the most breathtaking smile.
“Please sit. I got ya some gingerbread cookies. The name is Angus.”
“Helen, nice to meet you.”