Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
My body trembles and it takes a moment for me to realize it was just another nightmare.
Needing to see Vincent, I climb out of bed and hurry to his room. Intense relief fills my chest when I lay eyes on my sleeping boy.
Careful not to wake him, I pick him up and carry him back to my bed.
Vincent has never had a problem sleeping in his own bed. I’m the one who’s struggling to sleep alone.
Holding him close to my chest, I take a couple of deep breaths so I’ll calm down.
Your baby is fine. Nothing is going to happen to him.
Prodi is dead, and he can’t hurt you anymore.
You’re safe.
Closing my eyes, I focus on Vincent’s soft breaths.
You’re safe.
Chapter 22
Alek
Sitting on a private jet with my boss, I stare out of the window.
I’ve completed my training at St. Monarch’s, and Viktor’s decided he wants me in LA with him.
During my first year of training, I put up an act so people would fear me and stay the fuck away from me, but with time I became the person I was pretending to be.
I don’t care about anything but Misha, Armani, my mama, and Tiana.
I have no conscience and will kill without thinking twice.
After losing Everleigh and Vincent, I never got my sanity back. With every passing year, it’s gotten worse, and now I’m nothing more than a monster who’ll kill and maim at command.
My relationship with my father is volatile as fuck. Our lives hardly cross paths, which is a good thing.
Viktor knows everything about my past, and he feels I’m a loose cannon he needs to keep an eye on.
Honestly, I think Viktor is just as insane as me. I almost let out a chuckle when I remember the incident earlier this year. Misha, Armani, and I fucked up when we stopped the assassination of a mafia princess. As punishment, Viktor shot me in the shoulder.
I was ready to die so Misha wouldn’t take the punishment, but Viktor just gave us a warning.
“What are you grinning about?” Viktor asks from where he’s seated across from me.
“I’m thinking of when you shot me.” My smile grows as I tease him, “Your aim is shitty.”
My boss lets out a burst of laughter before giving me a look of warning. “Don’t push your luck, Alek. I can always use you for target practice.”
Viktor flew to Switzerland because there was a job to take care of. He decided then and there I’m going to LA with him.
A flight attendant brings us each a tumbler of vodka. Viktor thanks her before locking eyes with me again. “Bullshit aside, how are you holding up?”
I shrug. “I’m ready to get to work, sir.”
He waves a careless hand. “Viktor. Keep the sir shit for my father.”
Instantly excitement bubbles in my chest. “Will I get to meet your father and Mr. Koslov?”
“Yes. We all live on the same property.”
It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to meet the greatest assassin alive. Alexei Koslov is nothing short of a legend.
Viktor tilts his head. “How are you really doing?” He gestures at his head. “Mentally.”
I glance away, which is my first mistake.
“I’m fine.”
Second mistake.
Shifting in my seat, I bring my eyes back to Viktor’s. He keeps staring at me until I say, “It comes and goes.”
“I hear you refuse to go for therapy.”
I shrug again. “No amount of talking will bring my brother and woman back.”
Compassion softens Viktor’s eyes. “No, it won’t.” He lets out a sigh, then says, “Don’t worry. I’ll give you enough work to keep you busy.”
“I look forward to it.” Dying to know, I ask, “What kind of work will I do?”
A grin spreads over his face. “You’ll start as a chauffeur for the family, and with time I’ll promote you to personal guard.”
It doesn’t sound like I’ll be busy at all. I was hoping to be where the action is.
Viktor sees my disappointment, then mutters, “Ungrateful, fuck. With you by my side daily, you’ll train to be my second-in-charge. There’s no starting at the top.”
Christ, I didn’t think that far ahead.
“I’m sorry.” A frown forms on my forehead. “But why?”
If I’m such a loose cannon, why the fuck would Viktor want to place me in such a high position?
“I owe you.” His expression grows serious. “You got taken because of my alliance with Luca. This is my way of paying you back.” He takes a sip of his vodka before continuing, “You’ve had a rough start, Alek. I feel you’ll do well under my lead.”
I so didn’t see this coming.
“I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”
When I steer the armored G-Wagon through the iron gates of the estate, I glance at the perfect lawn and gardens.
I count fifteen guards stationed at various points. There are three mansions and four cottages.
The place is fucking huge.