by Faith Gibson
Maveryck did his best to focus all his time and attention on being the best at his job. He took any job that came their way, no matter how dangerous it was. He didn’t have a death wish, but he also didn’t have anyone waiting and worrying whether or not he came home at the end of the day. Instead of going home to an empty house, Mav drove to the Hounds’ compound to fill Ryker in on his mission.
The structure the Hounds called home wasn’t a typical MC clubhouse. Sutton had bought a building close to the house he and Rory bought when they moved to Upstate New York, and together with Ryker, they had turned it into a home away from home. There were bedrooms located in the back where visiting members could stay, or those single members could hang out if they chose to do so when they didn’t want to be alone. Gryphons weren’t solitary creatures by nature, and having their brothers to talk to was common among them. Rory had designed the kitchen, and she often cooked for the Club. Ryker spent more time there than he did at home, so it wasn’t a surprise to find him in the garage talking to Hayden, one of their younger brothers. Hayden was the resident mechanic. He built bikes from the ground up and had orders from all across the country for his machines.
Ryker didn’t move from his spot when Mav climbed off his bike. He narrowed his eyes and asked, “Why didn’t you call?”
Mav ran his hands through his long hair after removing his helmet. “We might have a problem.”
“Did you not complete the mission?”
“I did, but they were waiting on me.”
Hayden stood and moved away from the bike he was working on, wiping his hands on a grease rag. “How’s that possible?”
Maveryck stared at his oldest brother. All jobs came through Ryker. He was part of Nexus – a network of exterminators who took contracts based on location and specialty. Where some were assassins who took out individuals such as pedophiles, rapists, and murderers, the Hounds were mercenaries who focused on The Ministry – the religious zealots responsible for bringing the world to its knees over thirty years ago. That wasn’t something they were paid for, nor did they advertise going after the cults. The Hounds also took contracts on groups the government had trouble corralling, such as human traffickers and motorcycle clubs who thought they were above the law. That wasn’t to say they didn’t go after individuals like mafia bosses. According to Ryker, there was no shortage of assassins, but when a contract was left open too long, he would take it to get the offender off the street.
Ryker scrubbed at his beard. “The only way it could happen is if someone is posing as a Nexus member.”
“I thought the vetting process was foolproof,” Mav said.
“Nothing in life is foolproof. I’ll need to talk to Proxy and get their read on the situation.”
“Can you trust them?” Hayden asked.
Ryker frowned and blew out a breath. “As much as you can trust a contact for a secret group of killers. It wouldn’t be in their best interest to allow the wrong sort into the network. If word gets out, they’re the ones who have the most to lose, since it cuts into their profit.” According to Ryker, he didn’t know who his contact was other than their alias. He didn’t know if they were a man or woman, since their voice was always distorted. Maveryck didn’t like that this unknown person or persons knew all about the Hounds while they knew nothing about the contact. It was one of the few things he and his older brother disagreed on.
“I’m going home. There’s a bottle of whiskey calling my name.” Mav didn’t bother saying goodbye. He’d relayed what happened, and now it was up to Ryker to figure the shitstorm out. Mav didn’t envy his oldest brother. Being the President came with too many obligations and responsibilities. Mav liked having the freedom to hop on his bike without having to answer to anyone. If he had a woman, she’d have to enjoy being on the back of his Harley, or it just wouldn’t work. Jenna had liked… Nope, not going there.
Not going there ever again.
Chapter Two
Tatiana
Tatiana released another pissed-off breath as she closed her left eye and peered through the scope of her rifle with the right. She was supposed to be on the beach sipping mai tais while cabana boys in skimpy bathing suits catered to her every whim. She was supposed to be wearing a skimpy bathing suit. Instead, she was lying on the hard ground dressed in camouflage as she scanned the area around the compound of one of the biggest pieces of shit known to man. But when Anatoly Volkov called on her, she obeyed. Not that she had a choice in the matter. He had raised her. Trained her. Taught her everything she knew. Therefore, she belonged to him.
Anatoly was fifth generation Volkov Russian mob. When his father screwed things up with the Odessa Mafia in the late 1900s, Anatoly cut ties with the man and moved the family from California to the East Coast. The world would be better off without Anatoly in it, but he was still her father.
So what? He trained you to be a killer. Someone to protect the Volkov empire. Not run it.
No matter how smart she was, Tatiana would never be allowed to sit at the head of the table all because she was female. Her father taught her how to protect the family by being invisible, but what he didn’t realize was he taught her too well. She’d spent hours spying on Anatoly and his comrades. She knew as much about the family business as did her three asshole cousins, but when the time came, Mikael, the oldest brother, would step into her father’s shoes.
When Anatoly somehow caught wind of a hit put out against him, he called her, demanding she rush back home, even though he had a small army protecting the fortress he called home. She’d been in line to board her flight, but she turned around and left the airport so she could do her duty to protect the man. Instead of standing guard outside his bedroom, Anatoly insisted two of his men remain inside while Tatiana searched the area around the compound. Not finding anything or anyone who shouldn’t be there, she decided to remain stationary in case someone was watching her. That was how she came to be lying on her stomach, rifle aimed at the back door. Five others were stationed around the perimeter of the large structure. Two of those being her cousins, Ivan and Viktor. Her cousins who were supposed to be inside with her father.
“Come in, Peacock,” Ivan said, using the stupid code name he’d given her. Speaking of assholes.
“What?”
“You haven’t reported in.”
“Because there’s nothing to report.”
“Do I need to send Viktor to help you?”
Tatiana snorted. “Viktor couldn’t find his ass if I drew him a map.”
“You are such a bitch,” Viktor spat. Oops. She should have known he would be listening.
“Truth hurts, Little Cousin.” Tatiana couldn’t help getting another dig in at the youngest of the three brothers. Ivan and Mikael were both over six foot, but Viktor was shorter than Tatiana who barely graced five and a half feet. What he lacked in height he made up for in attitude, and it wasn’t pleasant.
Ignoring her jab, Viktor taunted, “You’re supposed to be the best. You should have seen something by now.”
“You do know that catching someone unaware requires stealth. Stealth requires silence. Something I’m not allowed at the moment because you two can’t mind your own damned business. Then again, you probably don’t know that, or you’d leave me alone to do my fucking job.”
“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” Viktor goaded.
Tatiana sucked in a breath and turned the scope toward the back of the house where Viktor was leaning against a tree. Taunting was one thing, but bringing up her mother was sinking to the lowest level of the nine circles. Releasing the air from her lungs, Tatiana squeezed the trigger. Dirt and debris danced around her cousin’s feet.
“You bitch!” Viktor glared toward the hill, searching to find where the silenced shot had been fired from. “I will kill you.”
“Not if I get you first,” she promised.
“Stop it. Both of you,” Ivan demanded. He was smart enough to fear her temper. “If something happens to Anato
ly because of your pettiness...”
Tatiana turned the scope away from the house when a commotion caught her eye. Several birds scattered from the trees on the north side of the compound, a large eagle among them. Tracking the larger bird’s movement, Tatiana pulled away from the scope then readjusted her eye when she noticed the eagle gripping something in one of its talons. What looked like a bag of sorts was dangling beneath it. “What the...?” The bird disappeared as it dipped down between some branches of the tall evergreen. Jumping to her feet, Tatiana draped the strap of the weapon over her neck and took off running in the direction the bird had dropped. As she rushed through the woods, she removed her pistol from the holster at her hip, flipping off the safety. Being an expert in all manner of firearms, she didn’t need to look at the 9mm as she pulled a silencer from her pocket and screwed the attachment on.
“Have the others checked in?” she asked as she scanned the area.
“Otvali! I know how to do my job,” Ivan hissed.
“Mudak,” Tatiana mumbled.
“What the fuck did you call me?”
Shit. Tatiana did her best to always use English, but when her cousins pissed her off, she sometimes let a Russian term slip. “Why are you two outside? You’re supposed to be guarding Father.”
“Did you see someone? Where are you going?” Ivan asked his own questions as she ran out in the open for a few yards before slipping back into the cover of the trees.
Ignoring her cousin who was now calling for the others to check in, Tatiana slowed her steps as she neared the spot where the bird dove. Her heart was beating in her ears as she rested to catch her breath. Walking as quietly as possible, Tatiana scanned the area, gun gripped in both hands.
The roar of a motorcycle engine echoed off the cliffs in the distance, and she took off at a sprint toward the road leading away from the compound. Just as she broke through the tree line, a black and chrome bike thundered away, ridden by a large man with long, blond hair escaping from beneath his helmet. She didn’t have time to unhitch the rifle, so taking aim, Tatiana shot at the man until the magazine of her pistol was empty.
“Fuck!” she exclaimed as she lost sight of him. “Ivan, get to the house. Now!” If her intuition was correct, her father was dead. Her role – her only job – was to protect her father. Protect the Volkov name. Sometimes that meant eliminating a threat. Tatiana had taken her first life at age sixteen. Without a mother around to teach her any differently, Tatiana learned to compartmentalize between ending a life and living one. Her father had tried to tell her emotions had no place in the type of life they led. Anatoly had an us or them mentality, and he considered anyone not in their family to be them. She didn’t think that way. She couldn’t. If she allowed herself to be nothing but a machine, she’d turn out like him and her cousins. Tatiana was her own person, and Russian mafia or not, her father couldn’t take that from her.
With nothing to be done about the man on the motorcycle, Tatiana turned toward the house and ran. She was halfway there when her cousin’s voice nearly pierced her eardrum. Tatiana was never taught their native tongue, but that didn’t stop her from learning it on her own. She hadn’t gone ten feet when her cousin’s curses let her know her fears were confirmed. Still, she didn’t slow until she was inside.
“Some fucking guard you are, Tatiana!”
“This isn’t my fault. I was following orders, Viktor. You were there when Father told me to scan the perimeter. I was also there when he ordered you and Ivan to stand guard outside his room. So, tell me why you two were outside?”
“Enough!” Mikael shouted, running a hand through his hair. “I’m the one who told Viktor and Ivan to guard the side door.”
Tatiana tried to shoulder past her cousin, but he blocked her way. “You don’t want to go in there, Cousin.”
“Get out of my way, Mikael. I need to see him.”
Mikael exhaled loudly and stepped aside. Tatiana rushed into her father’s room and stopped several feet away from where two guards were lying on the floor of the bedroom. A crimson stain spread around them, soaking into the golden carpet from having their necks sliced open. When she didn’t see her father, she stepped carefully over the guards and moved toward the bathroom. That was where she found Anatoly, sitting on the toilet, with his neck also cut.
“How is this possible?” she asked.
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. I have Ivan looking at the video feed,” Mikael said.
“I only saw one man,” Tatiana muttered.
“What man? What are you talking about?” Viktor demanded.
“I chased a man through the woods, but he got on a motorcycle before I could reach him. I emptied my gun, but he was too fast.”
“So, you failed to get your father’s murderer? What good are you?”
“Me? I’m not the one who let him get in the house!”
“Enough! Viktor, you and Ivan wait for me in the study. I need to have a word with Tatiana.”
Tatiana stood and faced her cousin, already knowing her fate. With her father dead, Mikael was now head of the family.
“Your father kept you close because you were his daughter, but unlike him, I have no use for a female guard. However, your skills can be useful elsewhere. I know this has always been your home, but seeing as how you and Viktor can’t get along, I think it’s best you make other living arrangements. I’ll see to it you’re given enough money to get started in a new city. As long as you do as I say, you will remain under my protection.”
Tatiana bit back a laugh. She understood the ways of the family. It didn’t matter that she was Anatoly’s daughter. It made no difference everything should go to her as his only offspring. Mikael was now head of the family, and as such, the compound and all assets were his to control. Unless she took them from him by force. Yeah, you and what army? As for his protection, she knew all he had to do was put word out that Tatiana was a traitor, and there would be a target on her back.
“It is your job to find your father’s killer. Since you saw him and failed to take him out, you will not stop until you find who did this and finish the job. Once that is accomplished, you will remain on the payroll in the capacity of assassin. But let me make myself clear, Cousin. Should you refuse, I will make sure word gets out that you are no longer a Volkov.”
“I understand.” She understood so much more than he realized. “I’ll go pack my belongings.” With one last look at her father’s body, Tatiana left the room. She should feel bad the man was dead. She did, but not the way a daughter should grieve the man who brought her into the world. Tatiana’s life hadn’t been easy nor happy, but it was constant. She knew what to expect. In his own way, Anatoly had protected Tatiana, but now he was no longer there as a buffer between her and her cousins or anyone else who felt she wasn’t fit to be part of their family all because she was a woman.
To avoid passing the office, Tatiana took the back staircase to her bedroom on the third floor. Her clothes, toiletries, and weapons were the only items she intended to take. Those and the one photo she had of her and her mother. Anything else would serve as a dark reminder of the life she’d been forced into at a young age. She had more shoes than one woman needed, but they were necessary in her line of work. Being an assassin often meant disguising herself, and besides that, she really liked shoes. It took almost an hour and several trips to her car, but Tatiana was loaded and on her way out the door.
Either luck was on her side, or Mikael had kept his brothers occupied. Either way, Tatiana was able to escape the manor without running into Viktor. Or Marta. Not having to say goodbye was a blessing. The cook-slash-housekeeper had to know by now Anatoly was dead. Tatiana knew Marta was one of Anatoly’s mistresses. Tatiana learned long ago the woman wasn’t her friend. She refused to teach Tatiana to cook, saying the Printessa had no place in the kitchen. Considering she said it with a scowl, Tatiana knew Marta wasn’t a fan. The woman had other reasons not to like Tatiana, but those were best left in the
past.
Mikael said he would give her enough money to move out, but what he didn’t know was she had put most of what her father paid her into a separate account. Anatoly kept tabs on her money, but she explained the lack of funds was due to her wardrobe and weapons for the jobs he sent her on. Mikael, who had been mentored by Anatoly, now had access to her information. He would be able to trace her using her phone, but since she was still employed by the family, she couldn’t toss it. Since he could track her, she didn’t bother going farther than the first nice hotel she came to. She would consider an apartment once she figured out how she was going to get away from the family. But first, she had a killer to catch.
Tatiana didn’t unpack her car other than taking the suitcase which contained a few sets of clothes and toiletries, her case which concealed her rifle, and her computer. After the day she had, Tatiana wasn’t ready to start the search for the assassin. She wanted to strip down, grab a bottle of wine, and take a nice, long bath. Besides, she had no idea where to begin looking for the biker.
If she’d been using her rifle, she could have used the scope to get a better look at the man. The only thing she was sure of was his long, blond hair. He wasn’t wearing a motorcycle club vest, so she couldn’t track him that way. Tossing her things onto the king-sized bed, Tatiana unpacked her clothes and put them in the dresser. Next, she lined up the shoes she’d included at the bottom of the closet next to the rifle case. She reloaded the pistol, chambering a bullet, and made sure the safety was on. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, so she called down for room service.
While she waited for her steak dinner and bottle of wine, Tatiana flopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Her father was dead. Now that she had time to really think about that, she expected the tears to fall. They didn’t. Why would they when he had never shown Tatiana an ounce of love? From the time her mother died, Anatoly made it his mission to train Tatiana as a soldier.