Page 106 of Assassin: Part 1

“We have no fucking idea if we can trust him,” Zakhar points out. “I know he’s your friend but…”

I cock my head. Won’t Mishka just be thrilled to hear we’re friends now? He’ll probably try and gut me on principle.

I make a mental note to send him a special card later to needle him. My first step in my revenge.

“He’s not the man you knew years ago. Now that he’s no longer working with me directly, could he go rogue and come after all of you, even me? Sure, but unlikely. If it does, I’ll be the one to handle it, not you.” I hold up my hand to silence their protests. “You are not going to get the jump on him. I don’t care how good you think you are. Mishka is an assassin through and through. He and I were the Butcher’s favorites for many reasons. It’s always been what made it the best fit for the two of us to work to take him down. Not to mention, Mishka saw the trauma of what Rori went through when they married. She was a year older than Mila is now. He will not let anything happen to her. And he was the one to pick her up from the school in the first place to bring her back here, so that should say something. If he was going to do something, he’d have done it then.”

“Yeah, before we get any further into this, I’m going to say my piece,” Zakhar butts in, voice hard as he stares at me. “I don’t give a flying fuck if you and my brother are a thing. You put Mila in that kind of danger again, I will kill you, assassin or not. She is not a pawn in any games of yours or anyone else’s. That shit is finished. The same with making decisions for her without my agreement. Understood?”

“I won’t promise something I can’t agree to.” I hold up my hand again to stop him before he can lose his shit. “But I will tell you that if any decisions do not have to happen because of some kind of immediate danger, then I will consult you and you can make the final decision. If I get intel that someone is going after her, I’m going to act, and you will have to suck it up and deal with how it’s done, because I will not allow her to be harmed. Ever.” Then, to lighten the moment, I smirk and add, “And I’ll help you bury the body of any boy that hurts her, and we’ll make sure that it’s never found again.”

He lets out a small bark of laughter. “She might kill you for that.”

“She can try, but we both know she’ll never know it was me. And I have ways of making it look like he just up and left, not that he’s dead. Deal?”

I hold out my hand, and he stares at it for a long moment before looking back at me. I know what the moment means to him. What he’s agreeing to and agreeing to let lie.

Finally, he nods and shakes my hand. A trickle of relief slithers into my gut. I’d be fine without it, but knowing it will ease Ilya’s mind eases mine.

“Deal.” His grip is sure and firm. “And just know that I’m throwing your ass under the fucking bus the minute she comes screaming at me. You can deal with her.”

“The fact that you’re scared of a teenager is pathetic.”

“Yeah, and with you around, we’ll be doubly scared she’ll get an idea to fucking kill us in our sleep and make it look like an accident because you’ll help her clean up the bodies.” Oleg scoffs.

I grin and turn my attention back to Ilya. “Now that that’s out of the way, back to what I was saying before. Since you’ve decided to bring me here before the necessary preparations can be completed, I’m going to be making some changes, and you are going to ensure they happen without there being a shit ton of questions.”

“Am I?” Amused, he smiles at me.

Arrogant man. I really want to wipe that damn smile off his face, but I force myself to have a little bit of patience. At least enough that I won’t stab him for being damn annoying.

Is this what living with men is like on a daily basis?

My smile is sharp, but his widens. “You are, since you decided to be a caveman and haul me over your shoulder. After drugging me, of course. There are things that need to be done if I’m going to be staying here. Unless, of course, you’d like me to leave, and I’ll come see you when I’m in need of a booty call?”

Oleg and Zakhar snicker. Ilya ignores them, losing his smile.

“Of course I want you to stay here. And it’s not like you haven’t already taken control of the fucking house. And apparently our cameras. What else could you need?”

I ignore his sarcasm.

“I’ll get you a list, including what will need to be renovated. I’ve inspected every inch of the house, and I know the weak points. They’ll need to be shored up. Along with things on the grounds. Your sensors and cameras are good, but not infallible. You’re also ridiculously vulnerable to an attack from the air. I’ve already got items on the way to fix all that. I’ll give you the names I’ve hired to install everything.”

Ilya’s eyes narrow. “In case you have forgotten, lishicka, you are not Pakhan or in charge here. I will review it and decide if it’s going to be put in. Not because you decree it.”

“Don’t get all butthurt because you missed some things, pet. No one’s perfect. That’s why I’m pointing them out. Besides, you’re not the one paying, and the men hired know the score and keep their mouths shut. All you need to do is make it clear the renovations are your idea when people ask. Wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m being overbearing and spending all your money, now, would I? Of course, unless you want your staff to think I’m a gold digger.” I fluff my hair. “I think I can pull it off, though.”

Oleg and Zakhar outright laugh. “Oh fuck, shit’s about to get real interesting around here,” Zakhar says.

“Dude, she insulted us too,” Oleg reminds him. He looks at me. “Send me the information, and I’ll make sure it’s communicated.”

“I haven’t okayed shit yet,” Ilya grits out.

“You chose her. You knew exactly what you were getting yourself into. She’s got you by the balls.”

“Mmmm, he does have nice balls,” I agree, shooting Ilya a wicked grin. “And I’ve seen my fair share, so I’m an expert on the subject.” He gives me a heated stare in return.

“Shit, I forgot about that.” Zakhar winces. “Man, I’d be careful about pissing her off or you’ll be added to her collection.”