some intense RPGs. Add in existing paranoia, and sprinkle on some fuckers winding him up and making him more paranoid, and it was a perfect storm. He’s in custody now.”
“So… Not the Armenians? Not a purposeful hit on me or mine?” Konstantin says.
“No, mate.” Reece supplies.
Andrius sighs and shifts in his chair. “Does this change things, K?”
He shakes his head. “No, it doesn’t change things. I want out. You know me. Once I make up my mind, I make up my mind.”
“Okay.” Andrius grins and nods.
Reece smiles too. “If someone had told me back in the day, Andrius, when we were in that shithole of a cell together, listening to that poor fucker get tortured, that one day we’d be going into business … I wouldn’t have believed it.”
These two clearly have more history than I understood.
“So now we plan and plan and make sure it’s watertight, no?” Andrius says.
“Yes, water-fucking-tight,” Konstantin agrees.
“Marcus will be with Aram and his men. We’re going to have to ensure we don’t hit him.” Reece sighs. “This is going to need some precision shooting. We’ve got Andrius and Luka who are shit hot snipers. They can be in the turret. The rest of us? We work out where we will be based on our strengths.”
“I want two men in the basement with Cassie. One on the inside of the locked room with her, and one on the outside. I’d like it to be one of your guys on the inside, Reece. If one of them will volunteer. I think she’d feel more comfortable.”
“I think Ethan will do it, if we ask.”
“I don’t want to take men away from the fight,” I say.
“Babe, if I believe you’re safe, then I can focus. I can’t if I’m worrying about you.”
“Okay,” I say, voice small. I feel like a burden not a help. “What can I do to help?” I ask. “There must be something?”
“You could make us all one of those amazing coffees you do,” Andrius says with a warm smile my way. I swear, if I wasn’t so head over heels with Konstantin, Andrius and his smile would bowl me over. It changes his face so much.
“Right. Coffees coming up,” I say.
As I prepare them, the kitchen slowly fills with men. They are talking amongst themselves, some in English, others in Russian. I make the coffees, hand them out, and then head out of the kitchen to give them privacy. I don’t want to hear their plans anyway. It scares me. Instead, I head into the informal living room, flop on the sofa, and turn the TV on.
I’m almost dozing off, watching a crappy movie, when the door opens and Vasily enters.
“Hey,” I say nervously. I’m still unsure of the man.
“Listen,” he says. “You and I are never going to be the best of friends. I don’t like you. Not because of you, but because you’ve taken Konstantin away from what he’s made to do. However, you’re with him now, and that means you’re part of this family of ours. That means, we need to get on. So, with that said, I’m sorry for being a dick. In the future, you won’t get anything but politeness from me.”
“Thanks. Same. I don’t like you either. But in my case it’s because of who you are. I was brought here an out of my depth, scared, young woman, and you never once gave me a break. Because I love Konstantin, I won’t be anything but polite to you. But you’re right. We’re never going to be the best of friends.”
“You know. You could get rid of me quite easily. Tell K you want me gone, and I’m pretty sure he’d do it.”
“Maybe, maybe not. But I do know he’d hate himself for it, so I’d never ask him.”
“Well, let’s hope our guys win, and then you’ll be heading off to Corfu.”
“Yep. Not sure when, but that’s the plan.”
“Leaving me alone to pick up all the pieces and sort out all the shit.” He shakes his head. “It fucking sucks, and I’m not remotely happy about it.”
“You don’t have to stay in this life either.”
He sneers at me. “I worked fucking hard for this life, and I’m not walking away.”
“Then that’s your choice, isn’t it?” I say.
I get up and leave the room. He can stew in his own juices.
I get to the bedroom, close the door and sink onto the bed.
Soon my love will be fighting for his life, and I can only pray he will win.
Chapter