Page 77 of Assassin: Part 1

Mila?

I jolt and stare, horrified as my niece climbs through the window, hair windswept, with one of Alonzo’s men right behind her.

What the fuck is she doing here? Why isn’t she on the plane to New York?

“What the fuck?” Zakhar hisses, body vibrating.

And of course, my niece can’t do anything normally either. “Hey, Dad,” she says, beaming, like she hasn’t just stepped into a war zone. I want to snarl at her to look away, but she’s already taking in the scene before looking at my stalker. “You weren’t lying that it was going to be a mess when we got here.” Zakhar chokes behind me. Then Mila’s eyes land on the Butcher. Her expression doesn’t change, but her eyes sharpen. “That’s him? The one who had me taken and sold off to that pig?”

What the fuck? How does she know about that?

I’ve had enough. “Someone better start fucking talking, now!” I bellow. “Mila, get your ass over here. Now.”

She ignores me.

“Mila, now!” Zakhar hisses, his fingers twitching. The only reason he hasn’t fired is because he’s terrified of hitting her.

The tension in the room builds as Mila moves her new best friend and wraps her arm around her waist, completely at ease.

Sensing movement, I turn to see Rori getting to her feet, an odd expression on her face. Like she’s trying to put together a puzzle. “Get her away from her, and I’ll give you whatever you want.” Whatever it is, it’s hers. If my stalker kills my niece or hurts her in any way, nothing will stop the wrath of any of us.

I will blaze this entire fucking place to the ground with all of us in it.

Rori starts talking, but the buzzing in my ears won’t allow me to pay much attention. My only care is for Mila. She shoots me a pointed look.

I’ve never laid a hand on my niece, but right now, she’s sorely working toward being locked away in the fucking basement until she’s seventy. It might be the only way to keep her out of trouble.

Rori turns to Zakhar and me, eyes cold and hard, expression flat. The look of an assassin ready to kill. “Did you try to send her to my father for training?”

How fucking dare she?

“I should kill you for even suggesting that,” Zakhar seethes.

My stalker sighs, and I turn my glare to her. “I really wanted to deal with this later, but I guess we have to do a fucking circle time now. Everyone, put your guns down. Now.” There’s a bite to her voice, a command that’s expected to be obeyed.

No one moves. She mutters something that makes Mila laugh.

“I told you this would happen. Put the guns down. I’m safe. She’s not going to hurt me. She’s been saving me for years, and you owe her the chance to explain.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Zakhar demands, and a chill runs down my spine.

Mila’s cheeks flush an angry red, a look we’re all familiar with. There is no reasoning with her. “It means that without her, I wouldn’t fucking be here. So put your gun down, Dad, and fucking listen for once.” Her eyes move to me. “Please.”

I stare at my niece. She wants me to tell everyone to put their guns down? With two known assassins in the room, a ghost, and a nutjob? Has she lost her mind? Just how much time has she been spending with her?

Her eyes plead with me, begging me to trust her. My stalker gives me a little finger wave and sweet smile. Like she’s not standing here driving me insane as I try to figure all this bullshit out.

Whatever she’s going to say, maybe it’ll clear a few things up. The only thing I care about in this moment is Mila. I need to keep her safe. I quickly calculate the distance it will take me to get to her and Oleg to kill her, while Zakhar handles Mishka if needed.

Yeah, it can work.

“Guns down,” I order, lowering my gun. Zakhar stares at me with one brow raised. I give him a harsh, pointed look. “Now.” He slowly lowers his gun, but I can see the rage vibrating. Oleg nods then looks at Freya, who is still calmly standing with Mila. She’s our ace in the hole. Whatever this woman is, she’s not the one who controls her.

“Excellent.” My stalker beams. She looks at the Butcher, and his eyes flicker as he tries to wake up. “You’ve got him?” she asks Mishka. Mishka lashes out a foot, kicking him right in the temple and knocking him back out again. She rolls her eyes, and Mishka shrugs.

I’m done with the silent communications.

“Someone start fucking talking,” I order, taking a small step closer. “And if you hurt my niece, I’ll kill you.” It’s the only warning I’m going to give her.