Chapter 39 | Her
“Awolf in sheep’s skin” Marija said, her eyes shining wide with excitement. “That’s what the man is.” Marko might be an asshole and one of King’s best informants, but he doesn’t look like a wolf. In fact, he is one of those who is least likely to attack anyone without a proper agenda.
Besides the way Marija’s been behind me leaking every name she can, I’m quite certain that she will get me in trouble one day.
“You practically say that about everyone around here, Marija.”
“Because all of them are wolves, Ruza. I don’t get it why you don’t seem to see them in that light. After all they’ve done.” She defends her point.
“What have they done? I got Bojan killed for nothing. The man seemed harmless even when I almost seduced him to somehow make the move.” I retort. At this point I almost feel being led. And I’m hating it. This is about me; I’m at risk so it should be my decision to make.
“He may have seemed harmless but he wasn’t, I assure you. You have no idea how gross his involvement was in the case previous to yours.” Seriously! She keeps giving me the same reason every time, and I feel like it’s only to shut me up.
I narrow my eyes at her response, “Whatever it is, it’s becoming increasingly hard for me to avoid suspicion.” Averting my gaze to the mirror in front making sure everything looks good.
Flushed. Just the way he likes. Men are so weak when it comes down to this.
She snorts, sighing at my disagreement.
“Look, last time I had to cry my eyes out to make him believe. Even with the taped evidence and all the scars we forged on my body. You can’t just throw three of them at once without a good proof.” I put on the perfume once again. Roses, my go to. A smirk to muffle my chuckle. Turning back to meet her eyes, “Don’t you think it’s becoming increasingly risky? Is it even worth it?”
“It should be. Considering you wanted revenge. Whatever degree you could damage him. Losing his most treasured men could be a good start.”
Quarrelling seems useless. She’s giving you what you want, all you need to worry about is whether you want to execute it today or take your own sweet time. Dragging the edge of the crimson dress over my shoulder to make sure the fresh scar on my arm is well in the visibility zone, I close my eyes and exhale all the worries out of my system.
You can do it D! You’ll do it!
The name I have in my mind is his one of his newest hitmen; he has been staying here for the about a week. Some business deal going on with some local gangster, that’s what I’ve heard.
“Keep your fingers crossed. And you might be surprised at what I can do after all.” I say, suppressing the unrest inside my guts.
“God be with you!” She crosses her heart.
“God is dead, Marija. We need to watch our backs ourselves.”
But something’s been eating my confidence inside out tonight. I’ve been thinking about it lately. Every time I’ve tried, I’ve succeeded and it’s odd even for me. King has been executing them; not damaging them like she described with Vuk. Good for me but too good to be true at the same time.
Vuk arrives and eyes me and Marija suspiciously before signaling me to follow him out.
“Whatever you’re planning, drop it. Okay? Marija is leading you straight into a trap. King won’t even believe you again and that won’t end well for you, Ruza.”
The blame game is working and now I’m unable to trust any of them.
“Look, I’m not planning anything. And especially nothing Marija is playing me into.” I defend myself when he pulls me aside.
“Hush! Listen all I’m saying is drop whatever you’re planning just for tonight. Or you might lose his trust. He has been busy with people but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop watching his own back. All I’m saying is don’t try anything just for tonight. Okay?”
Like I’m going to play into his game. I don’t trust anyone. Not Marija. And definitely not Vuk.
Just when I open my mouth in defense, the bouncer approaches us to signal him to lead me. Vuk nods and shoots a glare in my direction. “Remember what I told you... or you’ll regret.”
We silently walk the rest of the way to King’s executive suite instead of his office.
“Something special about tonight?” I whisper. The only response Vuk gives is a frown and a finger on his lips, screaming silently to shut the fuck up. He knocks once and tells me to walk in.
“Czarina... you’re here,” His eyes light up as he sits behind his desk, smirking before removing his reading glasses. Lashing at his bottom lip once as he starts folding the sleeves of his black shirt, matching the color of his aura. He continues to take a good look, “This color suits you so well. Come over.” He signals to his lap.
I walk over and sit, making sure to look as petrified as possible, suppressing both the murderous rage and a sense of terror I tend to inevitably feel around this man. His eyes fall to the mark on my arm that I purposely made visible. “Who was it this time?” His voice is mysteriously calm.
“I was called in the noon today to try out the new outfits. All the escorts were busy. So, I had to go all alone.”
“I’ve told you so many times, Rose. You don’t just go around unaccompanied in this place. Regardless, who was it?” His quietude is giving way to uncertainty in my head. But I’m way past the point to quit now.
Avoiding eye contact, I utter my target’s name. Hoping to make him shoot his new favorite. “Vlado. He was the one who called up for me.”
“He did?” His jaws clench and unclench, before grabbing me by the arm and leading me out.
“Where are we going?” My heart rate picks up, half hoping that I made him believe my lie.
“Did I not tell you to shut up until I tell you otherwise...” He keeps pacing towards the guest suite.
Pushing the door open, he bolts straight to the private garden area.
“Vlado!” He calls out. Three men in black shirts turn around.
Fuck! I don’t even know which one of them is the guy. How could I not predict this? Disha, you foolish woman!
“Do you want to explain what is going on here?”
Too late!
Another man appears from the other end. Probably in his early forties, looks like the gang leader she was talking about earlier, but why the fuck am I here... The man in black pant suit matching the other three emerges, puffing on a cigar and a signet ring glimmering in the dim garden lights.
Amused by our arrival, the man in the pant suit greets King with a nod before turning towards me. “Why don’t you explain it yourself, King?
“Right. I should explain it myself. In fact, let’s start with introductions. Meet Nikola, the newest addition to our bratva.” The suited man nods greeting me with mockery written all over his face.
The other two men almost imitate the same expression when King introduces them, “These are our new boys...” all exchanging smiles while the monster beside me is stoic as always, “That’s Andrej and this one here is Lazar...”
I can’t help but notice their crooked teeth flashing though the ugly smile, before the heavily tattooed man next to them catches my attention.
King releases my hand with a push, making me stumble into one of the men dressed in black shirts who laughs catching me midair, before cursing something under his breath, making me writhe under their scrutiny.
“He, my lovely Roza, is Vlado. Our new best... and the one responsible for tracking every one of your moves for the past days.”
Shit!
My mouth falls open at the realization of being caught. The fuck was I thinking, when it seemed easier than it should have ever been.
A noise from outside tears away my attention before I realize whose voice it is. I watch as Marija is dragged in, the men holding her release her once she’s at King’s feet.
“Imaj milosti, King. Preklinjem te!” Hands folded in submission, her face screams in horror as King loads his pistol before flashing an ugly snarl at her.
“You shouldn’t have made her get my men killed, for your fucking revenge. Now, look where you’ve brought my Czarina again.” He tsks at me, “So sorry Rosa, you lose your confidante tonight. Along with other things, as a punishment.” His gun signals to the men smiling ominously behind me.
“Say your prayers, Marija.” But he doesn’t even give her the chance before firing a bullet straight through her head.
Blood everywhere. Brains everywhere...
Only this time I lose.
He turns around to walk over and sit beside the suited man.
“You keep your promise,” Nikola smiles at him while he stares at me in victory.
“Vlado, your treat for tonight!” King announces.
The fight left in me reemerges as the three of them turn their nefarious gaze towards me while King and the gang leader relax for the show. My body springs into action at the new found threat before me; even when my mind screams silently...
How could you ever forget?
They love it when you struggle.