Page 44 of Daddy Brigadier

“I assure you, Brigadier, there’s nothing.”

When our steaks arrive, I eagerly cut into mine, and it’s so fricken good—the best meal I’ve ever tasted. Each bite is pure bliss, and I savor it, determined not to let my hunger show. After all, grilled cheese and chicken quesadillas can’t hold a candle to this.

He leans across the table, his finger gently brushing my lips as he wipes away crumbs with his napkin. My cheeks flush with warmth, ignited by both the embarrassment and the spark of his touch. “So, tell me, Lexi, did you dream about being in organized crime when you were a kid?”

I chuckle, reflecting on my once innocent perspective. “Honestly, I can barely remember who I was back then.”

“Why did you feel as if you had to change who you were?” he asks.

I savor another bite of my steak, chewing slowly, allowing his question to linger in the air unanswered. I clearly remember the day I got a new identity. It was in that moment that I felt compelled to reinvent myself. That day, I chose a path in organized crime, foolishly thinking that if I mirroredherqualities, she might finally love me back. I was so naïve back then.

“What about you? Did you always want to be a Brigadier?”

“I was born into this world. I had no other choice.”

“If you could choose anything else, what would it be?”

“Well, you know my secret, Krasotka. I want a way to retire but not waste away on an island by myself.”

“Isn’t there a way to do both?”

“Retire while still being a Brigadier?” he scoffs. “If only that were possible.”

My phone buzzes again, and I glance down to find another message from Robyn.

I’m having such a good time with Valentin that I don’t want it to end. It’s been such a long time since I’ve gone on a real date, especially one that includes such delicious food and wine.

Again, I turn my attention to the man beside me, a government worker who has crossed someone powerful enough that they’re offering me $3 million to end his life.

The man glances over at me. I give him a polite smile. It’s easy for me to hide in plain view. No one suspects a young lady in a pretty pink dress to be their murderer.

The truth is, as much as I don’t want this night to end, my friends are relying on me—people I don’t want to disappoint. I know firsthand what it’s like for a family to turn their back on you.

I cough into my napkin, placing my hand on my chest. “Valentin, I’m not feeling well. Do you think we could leave?”

He chews one last bite of his steak. “Let’s get you home.”

I watch the man excuse himself and walk toward the restroom.

Then Valentin stands, pulling out my chair, and I give him a sweet kiss on the cheek. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll meet you at the car.”

With my purse in hand, I swiftly follow the man down the hallway.

Glancing up at the ceiling, my eyes are searching for cameras, while I’m listening for any sounds coming from behind the men’s room door. After confirming the coast is clear, I push the door open forcefully. A man stands in front of me, washing his hands.

With a laugh, I say, “Oh my, did I just walk into the men’s bathroom?”

Chuckling, he replies, “Yes, you did. It seems like you’ve had too much to drink.”

“You’re probably right,” I say, fumbling as my eyes dart around the stalls to check if we’re alone. It seems we are. “Since I’m here, I might as well use the toilet.” Stumbling slightly, I make my way to the last stall. “Can you help me open the door?”

The man strides over to me and swings open the stall door. I stand just behind him, drawing the gun from my purse, the silencer already secured in place, and I press it to the back of his head. A brief moment of hesitation flickers through my mind before pulling the trigger.

I shove his lifeless body into the stall just as the sound comes of someone else entering the restroom, its heavy door creaking open before slamming shut.

I hurry, squeezing myself into the stall with the bloody corpse, my hand covering my mouth to muffle any sounds of my panicked state.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN