sputters through the shock, pain, and sobs, “Th-th-thank y-y-you.”
“Tell anyone, and the last thing you’ll see is my bullet,” Alexei warns him darkly.
“I w-w-won’t,” Mr. Ballmer whimpers.
Alexei signals for one of his men to tend to Mr. Ballmer while I walk to my car. Listing to the old man's grunts and wails, I shrug out of my jacket and unbutton my blood-splattered shirt before shoving them both into a plastic bag. Then grabbing a bottle of water, I rinse the blood from my hands.
When I’m dressed in a clean shirt and jacket, I pick up the bag and carry it over to a drum. Alexei lights a cigarette before he drops the match into the barrel. I throw the bag inside, and we watch it burn until there’s nothing left.
Exhaling a cloud of smoke, he asks, “Is she the one?”
“We’ll see,” I murmur as my thoughts go to Hana.
Alexei turns to face me. “You care for her?”
I nod. “Yes, she’s important to me.”
“Maybe one of us will get to taste the sweetness of love.” He makes it sound like a far-fetched idea.
My gaze locks with Alexei’s. “Thank you for your help.”
“It was… fun,” he mutters. “An appetizer before I get started with my work.”
I let out a chuckle, shaking my head.
“I’ll take the bat,” Alexei says, and he nods with his head to where one of his men places it in a bag.
Evidence, should I ever betray him and by some miracle manage to escape his vengeance.
“Happy hunting,” I say as I reach out my hand to him.
He lets out a burst of laughter. “I’d say have a good day… my friend, but how good can it be sitting behind a desk?”
I chuckle as I watch them leave with Mr. Ballmer. They’ll drop him off at one of the non-profit clinics for the poor that’s a front for an underground hospital.
Heading to my car, a smile stretches across my face.
Eight months. Fuck, I knew she’d make me work for her.
Chapter 6
HANA
Hana 19; Tristan 24
I didn’t hear from Tristan again until we got back from our trip to South Korea.
To say I was surprised when he called is the understatement of the year. I honestly thought he’d move on to his next conquest.
But here I am, getting ready to have dinner with him.
There were many times over the past eight months, where I almost gave in and texted him. Many nights were spent thinking about what could’ve been if I had agreed to date him immediately.
I don’t regret the choice I made, though. I feel I needed the time to grow, to adjust to being done with school, and to transition from being a teenager to a woman.
The kiss we shared grew into a hopeful dream that Tristan would wait for me.
Knowing he did wait… leaves me with butterflies and a racing heart.
The smile around my mouth grows as I take the dress he gifted me from my closet. I unzip the bag I kept it in and lay the fabric on my bed. I brush my fingers over the silk.
Tonight we’ll either start dating, or we’ll go our separate ways as acquaintances.
I have nothing to lose.
Except for my heart.
Getting dressed and applying my makeup with a careful hand, my thoughts dance around Tristan.
When I’m ready, I walk to my full-length mirror. My gaze drifts over my reflection, and feeling pretty, I smile.
“It’s all or nothing, Hana,” I whisper.
I hear the doorbell ring, and picking up my clutch, I leave my room. As I take the stairs down, my eyes lock on Tristan, where he’s talking to Dad in the foyer.
He looks even more handsome than I remember. Danger wrapped in an expensive suit.
The thought sends a thrill through my body.
Tristan's gaze snaps in my direction, and then he turns toward me. He stares at me until I stop right in front of him. Lifting my hand to his shoulder, I feel an electric current pass between us as I stand on my tiptoes. He lowers his head, and I press a kiss to the scruff on his jaw. The contact again sends an exhilarating sensation through me.
“You’re a vision. Thank you for wearing the dress,” he murmurs.
I nod as I pull back.
Smiling at Dad, I say, “I won’t be late.”
“Enjoy the night, snuggle-bug.”
Tristan waits for me to leave before he follows after me. The moment the door shuts behind us, he grabs hold of my arm, and I’m yanked into a tight embrace.
My breath explodes against his shirt, and for