Chapter 56

“W

“We’re here.” Kateya whispered excitedly as the ground stopped moving. I was happy for that small respite as well but not looking forward to meeting the host.

Her wrinkles and ago spots seem to magically disappear, and her tired face brightened, and she straightened a little from her hunch as she pushed away some boxes to make room. Two men stepped into the makeshift living room.

“What the hell?” One cursed as he spied Nora.

“Dump it anywhere.” Kateya ordered.

The other complained “We aren’t paid to dump bodies, we get paid to deliver…” His argument was cut short with the appearance of her gun. “Will do Ma’am.” He corrected hastily and signalled the other to help him.

She wasn’t even giving her a proper burial, I bemoaned, but I knew as long as she held Irena, I needed to keep my mouth shut.

The men returned, and one hoisted me over his shoulder, and we stepped out of …the truck? Into a warehouse.

“Where is he?” Kateya asked impatiently.

“He told us he was here.” The man said looking around the empty space. “Maybe he’s just running a little late...”

“A little late!” Kateya growled waving the gun. “I came all the way from Russia! And he’s running a little late!”

“Look lady, we did our jobs. This load is due in two hours and now we have blood to clean up. Can we go now?”

Even without seeing her I knew she was fighting her urge to kill them, but I doubted she’d let them go either. She was saved from the decision when a black Cadillac SUV pulled up and an elderly gentleman stepped out. “Pardon my lateness he greeted civilly in an uppity tone. “but I had…pressing business to attended to.”

After living with Vladimir, I knew pressing business could range from actual business to ‘I just didn’t give a fuck to come’. My nausea didn’t completely leave me apparently, as I threw up down the henchman’s back, drawing the attention of the host.

“So, this is the source of all my troubles.” He whispered then commanded the cursing henchman. “Bring her and the child.” And he proceeded to get back in his vehicle.

“No.” Kateya’s voice stopped him.

“No?” The man questioned. From his tone I could tell refusing him wasn’t something people did. He was an older version of Vlad. “What do you suggest, Madam?”

“When are they going to die?” She asked.

“When your former employer arrives…as you requested. Did you forget?”

“No, then why are we moving them?”

“This is a warehouse.” He pointed out as if talking to an idiot. “More of what you came in will be arriving shortly. We can’t stay here…unless you think you have enough bullets to kill all my truckers.”

With that gun in her hand Kateya wasn’t thinking too clearly and the host knew it, so he rushed her saying “Either come with me now or don’t and I leave you here with your so-called revenge.”

It was a no brainer she chose to come, and he told her “Sit in the front.” She did as told, then he ordered. “Give her the child!” Kateya hesitated for a moment.

“Her hands are tied.” She pointed out and the man gave her a look that said, ‘well untie them’. A switchblade came out of her other pocket and she cut the ropes and handed me Irena. Kateya then sat meekly in front with me holding Irena in the seat behind her, the host on the opposite seat.

The car took off and he made small talk with Kateya. “So, this is what happens to old whores.”

“What??” Kateya hissed glancing back.

“It’s good to know. Means I must watch my girls. Can’t have them becoming you!” He chuckled.

This wasn’t very good small talk. I thought uneasily.

“So, you betrayed your former employer for a chance at revenge? He rolled his eyes.

Why the hell was he riling her? I wondered. Then I got my answer as the car discretely swerved to the side of the road.

“We have another passenger to pick up…” He informed Kateya whose eyes were busy glaring at him, too busy to realize the front passenger door was the one that was opening. The unknown man covered her mouth and slit her throat before she could even move her gun. Then he casually dumped her body at the side of the road and hopped into the seat. The whole thing took less than a minute.

“…and we also have to drop one off.” He finished casually as we swerved onto the road again. He leered at me and smirked. “That stupid cunt expected me to waste you on her… ‘revenge’.” He scoffed as he used the air quotes. “I have a much better plan.”

I got the gist of his plan as he caressed my leg, then he leaned in close, peering at Irena.

“Two for the price of one.” He muttered then asked me. “Is it true what they say about the Russians? Did he ruin you?”

“Like you’re going to.” I whispered.

His smile widened. “That depends on what the Russian taught you. He’s young and a favourite with the ladies. He must have shown you a thing or two.”

I frowned and pulled away from him.

“You find me distasteful?” He asked.

“Don’t feel too bad. I find Vladimir distasteful as well.” I informed him.

“A little piece of advice, Princess. Drop the royal attitude, it’s better for your health!” He added as he wrung my arm in a painful grip.

His phone rang, and he cursed into it. “What the hell is it now?” He waited while whoever was on the other end spoke. Then he asked, “How the hell did that happen?” A short wait then. “Well find out! What the hell do I pay you for?” After hanging up he grumbled “First the damn refinery now this!” Then he caressed my cheek “At least one thing in this cursed day went right.”

“What happened?” Not that I cared, but anything to get him away from me.

“There was an explosion at the refinery, I lost half the damn plant! Some fool left a damn valve open!” He ranted. “Then a deal I was banking on fell through and now the house had a fire. And it started in my office of all places…the documents I’ve lost…” He finished with a sigh.

His phone rang again, and he looked afraid to answer it. “Tell me.” He said softly. Then his shout startled everyone as he commanded. “FIND THEM!” Then he leaned against the leather seat trying to compose himself the phone in his hand in white knuckled grip. “Something’s not right…” He muttered then glanced at me as if it were my somehow fault.

He began tapping his hand against his leg as he took sideway glances at me. I was right next to him; it couldn’t be my fault he was having bad luck. Maybe it was just karma dealing with his ass. He did just have a woman killed in cold blood less than an hour ago. Karma was just working fast.

“That can’t be it.” He mumbled to himself, still peeking ever so often at me. He lifted his phone and speed dialled. “Assemble a team to protect the second house, I’ll head there instead.” He said still casting wary glances at me. Then he addressed the Kateya’s murderer. “Do you have a scanner on you?”

Kateya’s murderer opened a compartment and next to his seat and I saw an array of gadgets and weapons all neatly laid out. He handed other the device to the old man who muttered “I should’ve known the bitch was too stupid to check.” He waved the phone looking device in front of me from head to toe. When nothing happened, he chuckled as he returned the device. “Maybe he doesn’t value you that much, honey.”

I was shocked by his finding as well. Vlad didn’t put a tracer on either of us. Didn’t mean he didn’t care or was he just trying to keep his word on me being truly free? Or maybe it was in your wedding ring? A voice pointed out. Haven’t you noticed it’s missing? I was strangely disappointed it wasn’t there…and Irena’s baby ring too.