by Kenya Wright
“No. I had it sent this morning, when I woke up on the train.”
“This is amazing.”
The artist was representational yet very realistic. He’d masterfully portrayed the land. It was like we stood in an African plain somewhere near the Serengeti. Everything flowed in vivid detail and there was a wide range of color—earthy greens, fiery oranges, and dirt browns. The lion roared in sunshine yellows. The mouse in various shades of gray.
There was a human feel when I stared into each of the animal’s eyes.
Kaz hugged me from behind. “I wanted something to be here that would remind you of us.”
“This is perfect.”
His arms were warm and protective. “Out of all of my homes, this one is my favorite.”
“What’s your second favorite?”
“My holiday place in remote Siberia. I’ll show you one day.” He pulled out his wallet, slipped out two platinum cards, and handed them to me. “Go shopping later?”
“For guns?”
He chuckled. “For gowns. We need to work fast.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Tonight, we’re going to kill Sasha.”
“You found out where he is now?” I asked.
“I have a good idea.” He placed his wallet back in his pocket. “I didn’t realize it until we crossed the bridge today.”
“What happened?”
“You brought up the secret cities. That’s where he went. That’s why no one saw him after he left Moscow. He doesn’t know I know, but he has family in Zerechny Penza-19.”
“That’s how the cities are named?”
“Yes. He also has a house where he keeps his favorite lover there. Another fact he doesn’t know I know.”
“Why doesn’t he know?”
“It was his secret to keep. I just had Luka check a few times and realized that he was hiding his male lovers there. Sasha’s homosexuality is a sore topic for him. There was no need for me to bring it up.”
I pulled out my phone and typed into it.
He smiled. “What are you doing?”
“Looking up where the city is at. Oh wait. It’s a secret.”
“It won’t be on the map,” he said. “None of them are, but I know how to get there. I have several warehouses stored in most of these places.”
“A good place, if no one knows they exist.”
“Yes, and even better. The town does the security for me without knowing it. Each city is still isolated and encircled by barbed wire. The one where Sasha is hiding only has around 60,000 residents.”
“Can they leave, when they want to?” I asked.
“At times, but their guests can only visit after being checked and an invitation. Still, the guests can’t go into particular areas. Foreigners and non-resident Russians are prohibited from entering the city.”
“So we’re not going to get him there?”
“No, we’ll draw him out.”
“How?”
“There, people talk. They live in a bubble. There’s no world news. No state policy. No minorities. No true differences. The daily routine has no fluctuations. It’s a slow, sleepy life with a lot of eyes.” I smiled. “We have someone go to the gate and give him an invitation. It doesn’t matter that we don’t have the address. It will get to him.”
I considered this. “An invitation to a party?”
“Yes. He’ll come out for a dinner party, if it’s hosted by the right person.”
“So, not by you. Then, who?”
“Putin.”
My heart hammered. My face twisted with unease. “Okay…but…”
“What?”
“I’m just nervous about involving the president of a country to a murder.”
He chuckled and headed out. “Oh, mysh, welcome to Russia.”
“Apparently,” I muttered under my breath.
“Let’s go.” He left the room.
I hurried after Kaz, excited about his new approach with me, yet worried at how lethal and powerful he could kill. “Where are we going now?”
“You need men to go with your gown.”
Human accessories. Welcome to Russia. Indeed.
Seventeen
Maxwell
Forty-eight hours ago
The plane took off. A question loomed above after the Russian and Em left.
Where the hell did they go?
The Russian decided to not take the plane at the last minute. Him and Em left just moments before we took off. And I didn’t think anyone knew, not even Em who’d looked just as shocked as everyone else.
Good move, Kazimir. Keep her safe.
I was learning to appreciate the man a bit more and had decided calling him by his name. It didn’t seem like he would be out of the picture anytime soon.
Sighing, I placed my earbuds in my ear as the plane took off. Jazz played. I had my favorite playlist on featuring the Gods—Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Wynton Marsalis, to name a few. All swagged-out improvisations mingled with enough syncopated rhythms to have my dick hard the whole flight. All music was beautiful, but when it came to jazz, there was magic. There was color in each tune. There was a swinging feeling that grew in the chest and spread throughout the body from just one song.
This was my second plane ride in a lifetime, all in the matter of a week. I’d come to Prague with Xavier, and now I would take his body to Moscow and cremate him there. It was hard to deal with. Xavier meant so much to me. It was like a hole had bored through my heart.
I turned my music on.
Come on, Miles. Help me with my mood.
Getting me out of my sadness, Valentina strolled over and sat next to me.
I thought you weren’t talking to me anymore, princess?
She’d proclaimed as much, when we rode to the airport. Once we got on the plane, she’d remained near Oleg and ignored me. And we didn’t need any more tension. Misha had come with us. Four men flanked him as he climbed on. When Misha spotted Valentina, he glared and stomped past her. And ever since Kazimir and Em left, Luka looked to be deep in his feelings. He watched them through the window, walking back into the airport.
In fact, everybody appeared to look frazzled, confused, and upset when Kazimir left.
I turned to Valentina and didn’t take my earbuds out.
She was used to everyone kissing her ass. I wouldn’t. I’d taken her back to her place, and she was lucky I hadn’t fucked her. She was too drunk anyway. She could be mad all she wanted.
The fact that she’d obviously killed the ballerina was another reason not to stick my dick in her.
Even though I really want to.
She glared at me.
I smiled.
You’re too beautiful to look so angry.
She moved her mouth, but Miles’ smooth trumpet bellowed in my ears. Sighing, Valentina moved an earbud from my ear. “Do you know where Kazimir went?”
“You’re talking to me now?”
She glared.
“The answer is no.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “He whispered in your ear, before he left.”
“It wasn’t a whisper. It was more low-voiced.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Men don’t whisper in each other’s ears. It’s not like he leaned down and whispered a poem that only him and I could hear.” I shrugged. “I’m just saying. Kazimir didn’t whisper in my ear.”
“Who cares? What did he say?”
“It was between him and me.”
She shifted in her seat. “He didn’t say anything to me.”
“I noticed. That happens when you secretly kill people around someone and don’t fess up to it.”
Clouds moved slowly by the window. I tapped my feet, waiting for her to leave.
She rose from the seat. “Come back to my bedroom, Maxwell.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re trying to put a leash on my neck.”
&nbs
p; “I’m not.”
“You are, and you’re going to get me to put it on because you’ll give me that sweet pussy of yours.”
She widened her eyes at my foul language.
“Enjoy your flight.” I placed the earbud back in my ear.
She took it out and yanked the headphones from my phone. I reached for them and she rushed away.
Spoiled little princess.
I rose and stormed after her. Oleg remained in his seat, but for the first time upon meeting him, he grinned at me.
What the fuck are you grinning at? She runs you, but she won’t run me. I already have a crazy woman controlling me.
Probably feeling happy with herself, she twisted into her bedroom. Her ass jiggled with the movement. I tried not to admit to myself that I enjoyed the sight.
Focus, man.
Earlier when Kazimir had come my way, I’d been confused. Many of his men were on the plane—Oleg, Misha, Luka, and even Valentina. Not to mention the guards and whoever followed them around.
But he had come to me and leaned down, whispering in my ear like some secret lover.
“Dude?” I hadn’t heard what he said.
He quirked his eyebrows. “What?”
“You smell good,” I whispered back. “Do you know why I know that? Because you’re up on me.”
It was a strong approach to take with him, but I had my personal space to consider.
“Thank you.” Kazimir gave me a wicked smile. “You have a nice smile.”
I frowned. “What’s up?”
“When I leave, keep your ears and eyes open. Someone will mess up on this plane ride. Be there to see it.” He straightened, grabbed Em’s hand, and walked off.
I stood in the doorway of Valentina’s bedroom on the plane. I hadn’t gotten a chance to see it before since Em and Kaz had camped out in it last flight.
I hope the staff did a good clean up job in here.
Valentina stood next to the bed and swung my headphones in a circle. “Close the door, Maxwell.”
“You should call Oleg in here first.”
“Why?”
“So he can stop me from killing you.”
She slung the earbuds on the bed. “I can handle you.”
Kazimir wanted me to spy for him, and Valentina wanted some dick. Meanwhile, neither one of them knew how to say please.
That being said, my dick woke up at the fun.
As if Valentina heard me, she whispered, “Please.”
I shut the door.
“What did my brother say to you?”
“He told me he loved the color of my eyes.”
“I like them. Hazel?”
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes. “What are the color of mine?”
“Blue like the ocean with the sun shining through it.”
She opened her eyes. Shock covered her face. “Did you see how easy that was? I asked a question. You answered.”
“I did.”
“So, just tell me—”
“Why? Are you worried?” I stepped her way. “What does Sasha think about this?”
“I’m not talking to Sasha, but I am worried. I don’t like that my brother went off on his own. What is he doing? Is he staying in Prague?”
“He didn’t tell me.”
“I doubt that.”
“You act like we talked for a long time.”
“Long enough.”
I shrugged. “If you’ve got your brother’s back, then you have nothing to worry about.”
“I do.”
“Good. Then give me my earbuds and enjoy your flight.”
She pouted. “Why didn’t you fuck me last night?”
“Because I don’t like to mix business with pleasure. You’re a distraction.”
Like right now. I should be watching everyone around the plane, but I’m in here with you.
“I’m not a distraction. We work together, if you work for my brother. We’re on the same team.”
“Are we?”
“Yes.”
“Who did you kill that night of your uncle’s feast?”
“You know who I killed.” She frowned. “Olesya.”
Stunned that she confessed it, I pushed further. “Why?”
“Because she was…blackmailing me, in a way.” She sat down on the bed. “And what she was trying to insinuate was disgusting.”
“What?”
“That is none of your business.”
“It is.”
“Why?”
“I don’t trust what you’re saying. Besides, I always like to check things for myself.”
She raised her eyebrows. “How are you going to check things?”
I didn’t say anything.
She rose, stepped to me, and closed the distance between us. “Talk to me, Maxwell. We’re friends.”
“We are.”
“Yes.” She caressed my chin. “Besides, I really want you. I hate that you left.”
An image of her pussy flashed in my mind, and my dick twitched. Last night, I wanted to slip my dick inside that tight hole. And I could see how wild and nasty she could be.
Curiosity got the better of me. “What did you do after I left?”
Her voice lowered. “Touch myself.”
“Did you come?”
“Yes.” She looked me up and down and licked her lips, and it took everything in me not to kiss her right here. Those thick lips looked like they were just begging for a dick, and I want to help her out with that need.
“I wondered how you would feel inside of me?” She looked around and then bit her lip, once again making me want to stuff my cock in her mouth. She finally brought her eyes back up to mine. “We have time.”
I smirked.
“I know why you really didn’t fuck me.” She rolled her eyes.
“Why?”
“Because Emily didn’t give you permission.”
Her words were like a shot to the heart. She walked over to the bed, grabbed the earbuds, and handed them to me.
“There. Now you can go back to your seat and daydream about Kazimir fucking Emily. Would you like to smell the sheets in here before you go?”
I yanked the earbuds from her and put them in my pocket. “You’re jealous.”
“I’m not.” She walked off.
“You are.” Grabbing her by the arm, I started dragging her toward the door.
“What are you doing?”
I open the door and guided her out, only getting a slight protest.
“Where are we going?”
I pulled her down the long hallway that led to the small bathroom in the back. Only the lowly people used them—Oleg, Luka, and me. The rest needed to plant their bottoms on the more elegant toilets.
Valentina widened her eyes. “We’re going to the staff’s bathroom?”
“Oh. That’s why no one really uses it?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
I opened the door and pulled her inside. There was just a single lightbulb overhead, and once I turned it on, I closed the door behind us and locked it. I looked at my spoiled Russian princess.
Confusion hit her eyes. “What are we doing in here?”
“You want to fuck, then take my dick out.”
She put her hands on her hips. “You don’t talk to me that way.”
“Hurry up, princess.”
Her pink tongue came out and licked her lips, like she was preparing for the blow job, but then she shook her head.
Chuckling, I crowded her personal space. “Have you ever heard of the For the D challenge?”
“No.”
“It was this craze on the internet this year. The hashtag was #FortheD. Even celebrities had joined in on it.” I inhaled her. “So, you had a bunch of people rapping for a few minutes about what they would do for the dick.”
She blinked.
“When the guys did it, they would say, for the p.”
“How does
this relate to me?”
I smiled. “What would you do for the d? Would you get on your knees in a bathroom plane, and suck me off, for the d?”
“You’re trying to be disrespectful and annoy me.”
“No, I’m just trying to give you this dick.” I undid my belt and then my jeans. I kept eye contact with her as I reached into my boxer briefs and pulled out my hard length. I wrapped my hand around it and stroked it a few times. “And don’t worry. Em gave me permission.”
I’ve had enough of you fucking with me. I was just trying to listen to Miles.
I rubbed the length.
This was supposed to annoy her, but damn…now I really want her to suck it.
I needed those soft lips wrapped around my dick.
“What are you trying to prove?” She looked down between us. Her eyes grew wide.
My dick jerked in my hands.
She eyed me. Her pupils dilated. The blues damn near shifted to liquid.
And then I realized that she never wanted some guy to be nice and gentlemanly to her. How many men in this world did that? Half were probably scared that Kazimir would kill them. The other half were scared of her.
At least, that was what my dick told me. My brain no longer worked in this moment. Once my dick hit my hand and I rubbed the tip in front of her, there was no more rational play. In fact, I forgot why I’d been annoyed with Valentina to begin with.
An erection did that, made one forget what an argument was in the first place. Made one forget why they’d thought the female was crazy and dangerous.
“If I do, you owe me,” she whispered.
“What do you want?”
“Two things.”
“What?”
“The first is honesty.”
I snorted. “I’ll give you as much as I can. Try me.”
“Does Kazimir think I’m trying to kill him?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Good. I love him.”
“That’s good.” I gestured to my hard dick. “If it’s okay with you, I would not like to talk about your brother. What’s the second thing you need?”
“Help me keep him safe.”
“I will.”
“Then, we have a deal.” She ran her hands down my chest and stomach, making me hate my shirt as she moved lower down my body. Seconds later, she got on her knees in front of me.
My mind was blown, more than my dick had ever been. This whole moment had just been to toy with her. And then once I took my dick out, I admitted I yearned for her. For a few seconds, I considered stopping the whole thing. I could hear Xavier in the back of my mind.