KELL (The Valisk Family Series Book 1)

by Roxanne Greening

  His phone was ringing, and I took that moment to take a deep breath.

  “Da?” he says in his native Russian language when he answers the phone.

  There was a slight pause.

  “I’m coming,” He replies.

  I wanted to know what the other person was saying.

  “Nyet” The oaf replies.

  He was silent a moment.

  “She is still elusive. Are you sure you need me?” he asks.

  “Da.” he says quietly.

  The silence told me he ended the call. I was about to have enough freedom to go on the hunt again. I just needed to kill my target, and then I could run.

  They wouldn’t know for at least a week, giving me a decent head start. Reaching into my pocket, my fingers clenched around the pathetic sum of money.

  I had maybe two hundred and fifty, which was enough for gas on my way back. I would need to steal to survive as work would be difficult when you can’t stay in one place. I would also need to leave my car behind.

  The idea of walking away on foot was both freeing and terrifying. I wouldn’t get too far, but the trees would give me cover staying away from the roads, which would keep me invisible.

  I needed to make a stop at the store to collect a few supplies. Water would be one of them. Lighters, a sleeping bag, jerky and other dried foods.

  Packing light would make it easier to travel long distances. I knew from staying in this barely-there shelter that the nights got cold.

  My pack was pressed against my foot. I had a few changes of clothes in there. Dress clothes to fit in and work clothes to hide the blood.

  I needed a classy yet practical dress since I was going back to the bar again. It seemed to be a place he liked to frequent. Pulling my black tank top over my head, I removed my skinny black jeans and reached for the only dress that fit the bill.

  It was the same dress I wore the other night. The night I met the first man to make me feel. My heart raced as my palms started to sweat. He did this to me and I hated him and loved him for it. As crazy as it was, I could see myself falling for him.

  That is, if I was normal and free and if my life wasn’t death and destruction. He needed more than I could offer as I was a shell of a person. I was so hollow, I was sure that I echoed if tapped just right.

  Slipping my black leather heels on, I sighed. Leather was easier to get the blood out of than any other kind of material.

  I used to lay on the roof of our house in Texas picturing my life when I was free. I would tell myself that the stars would be brighter. I would also have many different kinds of shoes, and more than just black clothing. Sure, I had a few items that weren’t black so, I didn’t stand out.

  But I wanted more than what I had. I wanted a future. I wanted what all the other girls that I went to school with had. A husband and kids.

  College wasn’t on my bucket list. I couldn’t see myself behind a desk like a lawyer or a dentist. There were times I thought about being a nurse, but the blood that already coated my hands was too much.

  Maybe I would stay home and show my kids all the love and affection I never had. They would always know how important they were.

  I remembered picking a name for my future son. Michael Xavier. It wasn’t until recently when I read what kind of monster Michael was, that I realized I could never name my son that.

  Reaching for my knife, I strapped it to my thigh. I wanted more than just this though. Grabbing my .380 semi-automatic, I strapped it to my other thigh.

  It was nice and compact so only I would know it was there. My dress was slightly loose on the sides and perfect for covering any little bulge it may make.

  Grabbing the small mirror, I quickly applied light gold eyeshadow, black eyeliner, black mascara, and a touch of clear glossy lip gloss.

  No need for cover up since I liked my complexion just the way it is. Slipping the cash into my bra, I walked out of the only sanctuary I had in this state.

  Soon I wouldn’t even have this. The car was right there, but I wasn’t taking it. The idea was for him to want to take me away with him.

  For him to want to make me the victim. Sighing, I started the long thirty-minute walk to the bar. The road was clear, and the air was filled with the scent of pine.

  It reminded me of Christmas, something I never had. Some of my targets had a real Christmas tree, and it was beautiful, a freeing sent would tint the air.

  It was hot, but with the cool breeze caressing my skin made it bearable. The road was deserted and dark the street lights dim and by the time I reached the rustic looking bar with wood silvery siding I was ready for a stiff drink.

  I just needed one to wash away the sorrow of another life that would be dimming by my hands. The metal door creaked a little as I pulled it open. The smell of alcohol and too much cologne slapped my senses.

  Honestly, why would you need that much on you? Looking around subtlety, I made my way to the bar. The same bartender from the other night was here, and my cheeks pinkened.

  He knew. It was written all over his face what I had done. That I let him use me like a toy built for his pleasure. A man who made people run bent me over this very counter and fucked me senseless.

  I would say made love, but it was by no means gentle or sweet. My target was sitting at the bar watching me with calculating eyes.

  I fought the need to shiver in disgust as he checked me out like he was trying to see through the clothes that I wore. His greasy dark graying hair and dull green eyes. Eyes that looked at me Hungry with desire. The way he licked his lips had bile rising.

  I hated every degrading moment of what I was about to do. I almost preferred sinking my blade into my own flesh, a more welcoming outcome compared to what I needed to do.

  “Come here, sexy,” he said huskily

  Did that line really work? I giggled like a schoolgirl, something I perfected over the years. The bartender was looking at me, his blond hair shifted slightly into his brown eyes as they looked at me curiously. I could see the gears turning.

  I didn’t act like this the other night. Shit, he was going to fuck this up. Turning my head, I give him a wink, making sure it was very suggestive.

  Just like that, all thought left his tiny brain and went south of the equator.

  Chapter 9

  Kell

  I smiled at the turnout. I may have suggested that the product was a little more valuable and a few bosses showed. The very thought of thinking of a person like a product had my stomach churning.

  I was by no means a weak man. But, the thought of what these monsters did had my guts twisting and bile wanting to rise.

  Pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I focused on the here and now. The end game was important. I could remember those things when I had some of their men tied up and begging for mercy.

  Ivan stood at an angle beside me covering my back and taking it all in at the same time. I knew with him there, I didn’t need to watch myself. I could just focus on these sick fucks.

  They looked around at the usual truck in anticipation. Some with balding heads others with gray hair and then there were the younger men I was sure were the bodyguards. I smile slightly. The truck was holding people, just not the people they wanted. No, these people were here to kill and capture.

  I couldn’t wait to see the look on their faces. I couldn’t wait to watch their blood spill all over the cement floor of this warehouse.

  This was my family’s playhouse, or it was until I made some changes. The outside room, where meetings happened, looked the same. Although, the back had a few cages and after I finished wiping the world of these bastards, there would be no cages left.

  I was going to put the ones I wasn’t working on in them. Locked away just like all those women. I was going to take them out one by one and make sure they could hear the others scream as I worked through the masses.

  Blood would be spilled over and over and then I would be free of my brother the animal. When the air was clean
I could finish the hunt for Texas.

  Chapter 10

  Texas

  The liquor kept pouring down my throat, and he insisted that I have another shot, then another, and so on. I needed to stop soon, or I would be drunk.

  I knew that’s what he wanted, and he wanted me to be unable to defend myself. There was a glint in his eye that had me fighting the need to throat punch him and end this once and for all.

  But discretion was important. No one could know what I did. Once he was dead I would leave, and no one would really know who I was, and if I really existed.

  I didn’t stay in any hotel rooms or use any credit cards. The only thing was my car, and I would ditch it somewhere out of town on a deserted unused dirt road.

  “Come on lovey, just one more,” he demanded.

  I quickly took the shot and pretended I was wasted. Almost falling off my stool. Vomit threatened to explode as his hands steadied me.

  “I think I need to go, n-n-now,” I tell him.

  My words were deliberately slurred with a nice stutter at the end. The bartender looked ready to step in. The little hero was a little too late to protect me.

  He abandoned me the other night. Maybe he felt guilty and was trying to save me from another bad mistake. Without meeting his eyes, I stood.

  I gave a little sway as I stumbled towards the door. I needed him to follow me. I needed him to take me wherever he liked to hide out.

  I wanted to do this in a safe, quiet place and I knew this sick fuck had one.

  “I’ve got you lovey,” my target said.

  The endearment had me biting my tongue. I wanted to punch him in his dick and tell him where to stick that endearment.

  “You are so sw….sweet,” I reply.

  I use my best drunken slur, singing voice. I perfected it years ago when I was old enough to go to a bar and collect my target. A few times I almost became the victim, not the other way around.

  My target grabbed my elbow with a biting grip. It was uncomfortable and nothing like the man from the other night.

  “This way, I’ll make sure you get where you need to go,” he tells me.

  I smiled sweetly at him and gave him my best doe-like eyes, which made him blink. I knew I was pretty, at least my face was.

  I was ugly underneath this dress, and I knew if my mystery man saw more of me, he would have backed away in disgust.

  The thought of him rejecting me stung. It was for the best, I reminded myself. The dick directed me around like a dog with a leash, then pushed me into the passenger seat.

  I fell into the dark cloth seat hard, almost hitting my head on the steering wheel. I was tilted to the side from the force.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  I giggled again, and his smile got bigger.

  “Don’t worry, lovely, you will be saying that a lot tonight. I can promise you that,” he tells me.

  Shivers of disgust raked my body so strong that they almost had me showing my hand.

  “I know I will!” I lie.

  His smile got bigger as he slammed the door closed and then quickly walked to his side of the car. The drive was shorter than I thought it would be. He had turned up a dirt road about a mile from the bar.

  It was an old trail, which looked like it hadn’t been used in years. It was the exact road I was looking for to ditch my car. But this one, wouldn’t be it.

  I was going to kill him, and my car shouldn’t be anywhere near this place. The car jerked to a stop, and I could feel his excitement rise to a whole new level.

  I let him walk around the car and pull my door open. I blinked at him like a good drunk would.

  “Where are we?” I ask.

  The confusion was rather perfect if I do say so myself.

  “Don’t you worry, lovey,” he replies evasively.

  Oh, I wasn’t worried. He’s the one who should be worried. Then, once again he gripped my arm. I knew I would have bruises showing up later.

  I was pulled from the car harder than I thought he would, which caused me to stumble slightly.

  “Come on,” he demanded.

  He was getting impatient. Well, good for him because I was already there.

  “I don’t understand?” I tell him.

  And honestly, I didn’t. Why was he out here and not in the home Michael had? Why didn’t he bring me where they brought the others?

  “I told you not to worry,” he replies.

  With that, he started pulling on me harder. My feet fought to keep up as we moved over the uneven ground. There was nothing but dirt and a little gravel.

  My shoes had nothing to grip to keep me from sliding. He pulled me in the direction of the shack in front of us. When he pushed the door open, my breath stilled in my lungs.

  Chapter 11

  Kell

  “Where’s Michael?” A balding man asked in an angry tone. I smiled the smile of a predator.

  “He was a little laid up if you know what I mean. I’ll be taking care of things today.” I tell him.

  His eyes turned suspicious for a moment, but when he looked at the truck, his eyes lit up, and he licked his lips. He was fucking nasty.

  He should be suspicious though. I wasn’t lying about him being laid up. I mean he was dead and lying down in the ground. I made sure to flip his fucking ass over so he could see hell coming for him.

  I was tempted to have my father and grandfather exhumed so I could do the same thing.

  “Is that the merchandise?” He asked.

  He asked like he was buying a fucking suit. Anger had my fists, trying to clench together, I fought the urge and smiled.

  “Da,” I tell him.

  “Fucking Russians,” he replies his voice filled with disgust.

  He mumbled the words, but I heard him. I was going to kill him slowly and enjoy every moment of it.

  “Come, let’s have a look,” I tell him.

  Turning, I walked towards the truck about ten feet away. I knew Ivan was with me. The sound of expensive leather shoes tapping against the concrete had another smile spreading across my face.

  I waited until all of them were in front of me, and Ivan was off to the side. Looking at the bald man.

  “Would you do the honors?” I ask.

  I kept my voice calm and let only a small amount of excitement through. I wanted them to think it was because of the money.

  Death made me happy.

  “Of course,” he replied.

  His chest puffed out as he moved closer to the truck, followed by the rest of the bosses who were also excited about the new girls.

  The sound of the trucks latch turning and the door rising echoed around the room as everyone waited to see what goodies we had to offer.

  Oh, we had goodies alright. It was a truck full of men with guns. During these meetings, the rules were guns at the door. They didn’t want men fighting over who gets what.

  Gasps filled the air around us bringing another smile to my face.

  “What is the meaning of this?” He demanded.

  “Business is over,” I tell him gleefully.

  I grabbed the gun Ivan held out and pointed it at the balding man. He was a flight risk, I could see it in his eyes and in the way his hands twitched.

  He wasn’t going anywhere. I wanted him in my cages. He deserved to be in one.

  “I want one man from each buyer to raise their hands,” I tell them.

  I felt like a school teacher. When everyone did what I said, I wanted to laugh. Only the biggest raised their hands. Like the others feared that they would die first.

  “Step to the side. Next, I want the bosses to join the others. Ivan,” I say.

  Ivan walked over to the group as they clustered together. The bosses, four in total, clustered together trying to hide behind the men.

  Turning, I looked at the group of people who kept their hands down like the pussies they were. I raised my fingers motioned for them to come here.

  The men in the truck poured out and opened
fire on the larger group. I didn’t need them and I wanted the ones who had balls. Because those were the men, who protected the boss.

  They had all the information that I needed. Blood pooled on the floor as body after body dropped onto the unforgiving concrete.

  Screams slowly died down, and so did the gunfire. When the last bullet hit its mark, I turned to the man holding the guns.

  “Dig a hole and drop them all in it,” I tell them.

  Turning my focus to the smaller group who watched with dead eyes.

  “Now, I have some cages that need to be filled and a room that’s a little too empty,” I tell them with a smile.

  Chapter 12

  Texas

  For a moment, a small, fleeting nightmarish moment, I was thought I was back where they made me kill for the first time.

  Back then, I hated the man that I stood over. My foot pressed against his throat as he suffocated slowly. They made me cut him.

  Exactly fifty little nicks to make him bleed slowly. Having to cut his eyelids was the worst, I think anyway.

  My fingers had both wet and dried blood, and tears were falling like twin rivers down my face. I was chilled to the bone even though it had to be at least a comfortable seventy-three degrees.

  The weather outside left something to be desired, and I knew the moment I stepped outside that the blood would run off my body.

  I had on my black jeans, black hoodie, and my black converse sneakers. The shoes were heavy with a thick sole. I knew it hurt as my shoe dug in deep.

  I applied the reluctant foot harder. Why wouldn't he just die already? It was the hardest thing I've ever done. The least he could do was accommodate me.

  I drugged his coffee. He always drank coffee, they told me. I walked up to his door and asked if I could call my mom.

  That was what they said I needed to do. Play the sympathy card.

  He took the bait, and his face scrunched up in concern.

  I'm sure he was a very nice guy. He pulled out some Oreos and gave me milk while we waited.