Chapter 17
MILA
I’m getting so sick of pretending to cry to avoid answering his questions.
But, he did solidify my thoughts that he is Ivan’s son.
The whole fucking family is here.
Yet, Ivan sent me here to kill Nikolai, and maybe even the others?
What the hell is that about?
“I feel like I walked into the middle of some sort of feud. This is full-fledged Greek tragedy shit here.” I’m pacing as I hiss into the phone at Tyler.
“It doesn’t matter, Mila. Ivan has Daniil. The important thing is to get the diamonds and get the hell out.” Tyler’s voice has an edge to it.
“What’s wrong?” My chest feels tight.
There’s an uncomfortably long pause. “Kirill gave me another picture.”
“What?”
“I said, he gave me?—”
“I fucking heard you. What did he cut off?” My hand trembles so I tuck it between my crossed legs.
The coffee shop has a secluded open air section I can sit in while I wait for the drinks. I’m glad no one is close enough in case I get sick.
“Toes,” he blurts.
“Tyler.” I squeeze my eyes shut and press my knuckles against the bridge of my nose. “Why was that plural?”
“See?” His voice cracks. “That was my reaction, too! Kirill said the damn knife slipped because Daniil was fighting back.”
I want to cry.
My poor baby brother is being slowly chopped up and I’m over here ordering lattes and watching movies.
If I were me, I’d punch myself in the face for not hurrying.
Scrolling through the mirror app that I downloaded onto Nikolai’s phone, I weed through the pointless stuff.
Wait. What is this?
There’s a bunch of messages from a contact he has named “Donkey” who mentions the diamonds.
“I may have something. I’ll call you back.” I hang up before Tyler has a chance to answer.
Who the hell is Donkey?
Is he like a drug mule? A contact?
The details say that the diamonds are supposed to be at the Grand Stand, but doesn’t give a date.
Damn it!
I find the map location, but without a time, it’s useless information.
A slim waitress brings me a cup carrier with three drinks.
Thanking her, I carry them quickly to the car.
“Elena! I have hot chocolate!” I call into the house when I push into the door. Setting the drinks on the counter, I drop my bag on the table and go in search of her in her playroom.
Nikolai is squatting next to her, carefully smoothing a Band-Aid onto the back of her wrist.
“See? All better. This is why you don’t try to fly off of the bench, even with your fairy wings.” He speaks to her softly in Russian before wiping a tear from her cheek. “You’re my princess, but tough like a warrior. I’m proud you barely cried, even though I know it hurt.”
Oh, my heart.
I wish I had a father like him growing up. Kind, but firm. Supportive, but caring.
Instead, mine died before I was old enough to remember. And the men that my mother rolled through the house before she followed him to the grave weren’t exactly ‘dad’ material.
After she was gone, all Daniil had left was me.
I’m all he has now.
Nikolai glances up and sees me leaning against the door.
I’m sure I have a stupid smile on my face watching them.
Elena sees me, and jumps up and down. “Melissa! Want to see me fly?”
“No,” Nikolai and I say at the same time.
Her shoulders droop. “Okay.”
“Can you draw me a picture of you zooming across the sky? I brought you a hot chocolate for inspiration.” I give her a big stage wink.
Nikolai mouths “thank you” to me before standing.
“I brought you a coffee, too.” I don’t move, but let him get closer to me.
“I appreciate it. I may be out late.” His jaw clenches as he looms over me.
“Oh? Big date tonight? It is Saturday after all.” Twirling my hair in my fingers, I bite my bottom lip.
He just needs to give in and trust me enough to share his information.
His hand plants against the wall above me, framing me. “Is that jealousy coming back?” The side of his mouth lifts in a smirk.
“And if it was?” I raise my chin and meet his blue eyes.
They drop to my mouth.
Come on. Do it.
At this stage I’m not sure if it’s for myself or my mission. This man’s presence is doing things to me I can’t explain.
I let my tongue dart out as a tease.
“No need. I’ll be sleeping here tonight.” He brushes past me and I hear him head down the stairs.
Well, that didn’t go where I thought it would.
“Are you guys going to kiss?” Elena’s sitting on the floor with two of her dolls. “Like this?” She presses their faces together.
Shit.
“Your daddy was just being silly. There’s no kissing involved.” The heat in my stomach wishes otherwise.
It might have started out as just a job, but I think I’d really enjoy the perks if he did.
“Well, I think you should. Then we can be a family and you can stay here forever.” She smiles up with her missing tooth before dropping her toys to the side and taking my hand.
I wish I could stay, but there’s no way after I steal the diamonds. If Nikolai finds out it’s me, and why I’m here, I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t kill me.
As Elena and I walk down the stairs, and I hand her the hot chocolate, all I can wonder is if he’ll use the machete on me or if he’ll bash my skull in.