by Kenya Wright
Fucking Louis.
Not many knew about Jean-Pierre’s cousin, Louis. Jean-Pierre was enough of a brash lunatic to put anyone in his shadow. Therefore, Louis remained hidden. After researching the Corsican, I kept my eyes on Louis the most due to his tinkering in my domain.
In the French hacking underworld, many considered him a technical genius. At nineteen, he started his career of cybercrime, hacking into credit card companies and cleaning away all the customers’ bills. Around the world, they called him French Robin Hood, even though most didn’t know his true identity.
But French Robin Hood had a signature bow and arrow code that he always wrote into his bugs.
There it is. You just can’t help yourself. Can you?
I gently tiptoed through his firewalls. The system caught me and shoved me out.
Fuck!
I returned from another angle.
Too bad you’re with your cousin, Louis. I would love to give you a job.
Throughout France, Louis had been accused of everything from stealing government officials’ personal data to forgery, cryptocurrency money laundering, and even offering his services as a criminal-for-hire. During that whole time, he wasn’t with Corsican. He had his own team.
His involvement with the French Mafia came later once Jean-Pierre was jailed and Rafael broke him out.
Alright. This time it will work.
I snuck through the Corsican’s system again, tiptoeing here and there as well as dodging his electronic guards. More attacks came, but I battled them.
There we go!
Once I entered, I handed the system over to Circuit’s team, hoping that would help find them.
Knowing Louis, he has them using different phones.
Yawning, I glanced out the window and spotted tiny buildings below.
We’ll be landing soon.
I signaled for the stewardess. “A large coffee, please.”
“Yes, sir.” She hurried away.
I rubbed my face with both hands, hoping that all my efforts had finally settled things. I wouldn’t know for sure until I hit the ground and checked my calls.
Kazimir definitely has the codes back and Jean-Pierre’s girlfriend by now. But does he have his Mouse?
I closed my eyes.
Dear God, please make sure she’s safe. I never want to hear Kazimir sound in that much pain again.
My cousin’s last words entered my mind.
“Because if something happens to Emily, your ballerina will never be able to dance again.”
I opened my eyes. As soon as Kazimir got his Mouse back and things settled, I would punch him in the jaw for speaking those words. But for now, I deserved the threat. It was my fault. I’d let it all get out of control, and now I would have to deal with every ounce of backlash.
After finishing my cup of coffee, the plane landed.
Let’s see what’s going on.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Circuit.
He answered. “Misha?”
“Update me. Do we have Valentina’s location?”
“Yes. The baby’s tracker is in effect. We have the exact location and a camera view of Valentina and the baby. They’re safe.”
“Good. What sort of camera are you using?”
“One of the guards has a laptop open in the living room. He’s some type of security guy. He’s consistently monitoring the building’s electrical alarms.”
“The doors and windows are electronically powered?”
“They are, and they have an Alice in the room too.”
Alice was the Russian version of Alexa. The Russian technology company Yandex launched the artificial intelligence. Many Russians had begun purchasing them. American hackers enjoyed breaking into an unsuspecting person’s Alexa. In Russia, the same occurred.
Circuit continued, “We’re inside their Alice now. We can hear everything they’re saying. So far, Valentina has only asked to warm the baby’s food and she’s gone to the bathroom twice, bringing Natalya with her.”
Worry creased my forehead. “Have they hurt or abused them in any way?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve seen nothing since we’ve been monitoring them.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. Running my fingers through my hair, I checked outside the jet’s window.
The jet taxied toward its designated stop.
“How many men are inside?”
“We counted ten different voices.” Circuit continued. “The building’s hallway cameras show three men outside the condo’s door. Five more are guarding the building’s exit. Another five are at the entrance.”
Staring out the window, I noticed my limo approaching the plane, four black vans followed. “And the roof?”
“Three men on the roof. We have helicopters ready if you want to enter from there. However, Leonid is in another location.”
“Where?” I squinted as I spotted eight men riding on motorcycles behind the vans.
What? Who are they?
Circuit spoke. “Leonid made reservations at Mari Vanna, renting up the entire place. It will just be his guards and him for lunch.”
I checked my watch. “Is he there yet?”
“He’s on the way.”
My plane slowed to a stop. The stewardess stood by the door as it opened. My men rose and began leaving. She waved goodbye to each person.
Still wondering about the men on motorcycles, I checked the window.
My limo parked close by. The vans gathered around. The bikers passed the vans and got in front of the limo. I counted eight bikes.
Now I get it.
I undid my seatbelt. “You sent the Xecutioners to me?”
“Uh. . .so. . .” Nervousness rode his words. “Well. . .the good news is that the Xecutioners are going to help get Valentina and Natalya, while you go for Leonid since he—”
“What’s the bad news?” I looked out the window.
“So. . .”
Ava stepped out of the limo.
“What the fuck?” Groaning, I hung up, left my seat, and maneuvered around my men. “Get out of the way.”
My men rushed to the sides, giving me space. Dima and Anatoly still remained at my side.
What the hell is she doing here?
I left the jet fast, jogging down the steps and stomping her way.
Dread covered her face. That was the only thing off-putting about her. The rest was pure elegance. She wore a sexy tight black suit. It looked painted on her body. Crystals decorated the front of the blazer which hugged her small breasts and tiny frame. High heels finished it off.
Her guard, Yefim, stood on the side. He looked terrified.
You know I’m going to kill you. Right?
Next, one of the bikers left his motorcycle, took off his helmet, and placed it on the bike. It was Hiro. He walked over to Ava and stood on her other side.
So, everyone’s best friends now?
My phone rang.
I knew it was Circuit.
I’ll yell at you later.
Close to Ava, I scowled and stopped a foot in front of her. “What are you doing outside?”
She gave me a weak smile. “Helping.”
I gritted my teeth. “Thank you, but get back—”
She handed me an iPad. “This is the camera view of Valentina and Natalya. I thought this would make you feel comfortable as you headed to Leonid.”
Hiro dug into his pocket, took out a pink and gold lollipop, and unwrapped it.
I didn’t take the iPad. “I’m going to them—”
“No. The plan is for you to go to Leonid. He has no idea you’re in Russia. Your plane doesn’t arrive for another two hours. That gives you time to surprise him at the restaurant.” She kept the iPad in front of me. “Take it. Please.”
Hiro stuck the lollipop in his mouth.
My scowl didn’t leave. I grabbed the iPad from her and looked at the screen. There, Valentina sat on a small couch, holding a sleeping Natalya in her arm
s. Thankfully, Valentina didn’t look scared. Instead, she appeared ready to kill everyone in the whole room. Had she not been with her daughter, that might have happened.
I looked at Ava.
Another limo drove up.
“This limo is for you.” She pointed to that one. “You’re going to the restaurant. There are thirty men parked around the place, waiting for you to arrive. When you do—”
I sneered. “Are we going to address the fact that you are outside of the hideout, giving me orders like some new mafia queen, and surrounded by psychotic designer killers?”
Ava widened her eyes. “We will later.”
“What about now?”
“As I mentioned before, we don’t have time.”
“Why are you with the Xecutioners and not Circuit?”
“Because Circuit couldn’t rush off to the Xecutioners and guide the hackers at the same time—”
“So he asked you for help?”
“No. I voluntold him.”
“Voluntold?”
“It’s a mixture of volunteer and straight-up demanding—”
“I’m well aware of what it means.” I growled. “I just don’t understand how you can demand anything—”
“We don’t have time for this.”
“Trust me. We do.” I pointed at her. “You went to the Xecutioners yourself?”
“I did.” She blinked. “They agreed to a reasonable contract, and so—”
“A reasonable contract?” I leaned my head to the side. “Who pays up?”
“I do.”
I spoke through clenched teeth. “What do you have to do?”
She shook her head. “We can talk about that later.”
“You’re agreement with them—”
“Is final, Misha. Leave it alone. It has nothing to do with you.”
I leaned forward. “Oh really?”
In that moment, Hiro pulled the pink and gold lollipop out of his mouth. Smiling, he gave the lollipop a long lick.
I turned to him. “Are you enjoying that?”
“I am. Your girlfriend has great taste.”
What?
Furious, I charged for him. Yefim, Dima, Anatoly, and five more of my men jumped between us.
“Misha!” Ava screamed and grabbed my arm. “Misha, stop! Hold him!”
I shoved Yefim and my guards away. They stayed between us. More gathered around.
“Keep them separated!” Ava hurried to my side.
Never leaving his position, Hiro continued to lap at his lollipop.
“You cocky fucking bastard!” I tried to move around my men. “Ava tastes good?”
“No, Misha! I have taste. That’s all he meant.” She got right in front of me. “I bought him the lollipop.”
Rage coursed through me. “Because?”
Ava stayed right in front of me. “I thought it would make a good impression.”
Hiro spoke. “It did.”
“Thanks, Hiro. Can you please go back to your bike?” Ava pressed her hands against my chest as if to calm me.
Hiro put the lollipop in his mouth and walked off.
Ava kept her voice steady. “Misha, please calm down. You’re wasting time.”
I gestured to Yefim and the guards. “Go. I want to talk to her privately.”
When they left, I glared at her. “What part of stay safe didn’t you get?”
“Don’t talk to me that way.”
“Today, three women and a baby were kidnapped due to me!”
She put her hands on her hips. “Keep your voice down.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, doing my best to stifle my anger. Relaxing my tone and gritting my teeth, I growled. “Three. . .fucking women and my daughter were taken. My enemies are closing in from France to Russia, and you leave the safety of the underground to walk around freely among killers, looking like a fucking feast, ready to be licked, fucked, and then eaten.”
She raised her eyebrows. “I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult.”
“Take it as whatever you want, then get your ass back—”
“I’m going with the Xecutioners to Valentina and Natalya to—”
“The fuck you are—”
“Focus, Misha!”
My body stiffened.
“Like you said, three women and a baby were kidnapped because of you. It’s fucked up to say, but there is some truth to it.” She patted down her suit as if it might have gotten wrinkled from her yelling. “Circuit and you couldn’t do it all yourselves.”
I opened my mouth.
She raised her hand to stop me. “What’s done is done, Misha. Arguing about my contract with the Xecutioners is not going to do a damn thing right now. Let’s argue about it later. Okay?”
I fisted my hands to my sides.
“When I go with the Xecutioners, I’m not even leaving the limo. And it will be parked several blocks away. They’re going to kill the guards, your men will bring Valentina and your daughter out. Then, and only then, will my limo and I go to the building and that will be to get them.”
I frowned but said nothing.
“You have to go deal with Leonid. While you were on the plane, Circuit and I have been going through it over and over. This is the best plan. Leonid’s guard is down. He thinks you’re in the air. He’s certain he is safe. He’ll be eating when you arrive. Do what you do and end this.”
I didn’t want to admit Circuit and Ava were right. The plan put Ava in a place of danger. It wasn’t a lot, but enough to make me nervous.
Ava spoke. “Trust me. Trust Circuit. Please. We’re almost done with all of this.”
I shook my head. “Nothing can happen to you, Ava.”
“Nothing will.” She gave me a weak smile. “I’ve got my gun and Yefim.”
I drank her in. “I can’t believe you went to the Xecutioners on your own.”
“I had my gun and Yefim.”
My frown deepened.
“By the way, Kazimir has Jean-Pierre’s girlfriend. They’re planning to do a trade-off in a few hours. Circuit’s team is putting eyes on the site. That gives you time to kill Leonid, get Valentina and Natalya, and then put all your attention to the trade-off.”
I let out a long breath. “You were never supposed to be involved.”
“I can’t be with you, Misha, and not be involved somehow.” She checked her watch. “Okay. We’ll talk later.”
She turned.
I caught her arm, twisted her back to me, and kissed her. Those lips were so soft and all mine. She melted against me. A tiny moan left her mouth. When I let her go, she stumbled back.
I glared at her. “We will have a long conversation after all of this.”
“I bet we will.” She left.
I checked the Xecutioners. All of them wore their helmets except Hiro. The leader continued to suck on his lollipop as he watched me.
After all of this is done, you and I will be having a conversation too.
I headed off to the other limo, pulled out my phone, and dialed Circuit.
It took him four rings to answer.
Scared? Aren’t you?
Circuit’s shaky voice came on. “Misha.”
“Is your last will and testament finalized?”
“Is that necessary?”
“Have all eyes on Ava and the Xecutioners. Nothing can go wrong.”
“Trust me. We’re more than prepared. I would never—”
“Something happens to her, and it can be just a little scratch on her pinky, and I will rip your cock from your body and feed it to your mother right in front of you.”
“Now Misha that is really not—”
“Send me updates on their progress every two minutes. I want to know everything in real-time.” I hung up, got into my limo, and shut the door. I turned my attention to the iPad Ava had given me.
Valentina continued to hold my little girl. My body stiffened with anxiety. There was so much on the line today—Valentina,
Natalya, and the Mouse. All had to be safe by the end of the day or the world would never be the same.
I directed my attention to the limo and watched Ava’s limo go away. “I know you just wanted to help, but if something happens to you. . .”
I gripped the iPad hard.
She will be safe.
I didn’t want to admit it, but Ava was right. The more helping out on this, the more everything would get done. While I would have loved to go get Valentina and Natalya, the Xecutioners would be able to handle it.
Right now it was time for me to kill Leonid and end this all for good.
Be careful, Ava.
Chapter 29
Ava
I sat in the limo and watched Misha rush off. Yefim climbed in and closed the door. My heart boomed in my chest.
I let out a long breath and looked at my guard. “How do you think that went?”
“Hiro and I are still alive.” Yefim gave me a scarred smile. “It went well.”
“He wouldn’t kill you two.”
The smile left his face.
“Trust me. I will make sure he doesn’t touch you.”
Yefim nodded.
The limo drove off. I checked the window again. Misha and I both headed in different directions. I crossed my fingers and prayed to God.
This will all work out. This will be finished. I know you are here, God, watching over us. Protect and help us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I took the other iPad from the side and placed it on my lap. On the screen, Valentina held Natalya. One man stood at the door behind her, holding a gun. Another sat at the laptop where the view was coming from. Every few minutes or so he would check the laptop screen. Most of the time, he focused on the television in the center of the room.
Leonid must’ve made sure to get the best and most dangerous guards. The huge guys were scarred and tattooed. Many reached six feet or more. Most were definitely over two hundred and fifty pounds of muscle. These guards would make the Xecutioners look like fashionable college boys.
I continued to watch the screen. Three other men sat on the couch near Valentina. They had their jackets off. Guns lay in the holders.
This view was the condo’s family room.
I slipped the screen to the side. The view showed the kitchen. Laughing, two men chopped potatoes and sipped vodka.