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TitlePage

KostyaSneakPeek#2

©2015RoxieRivera

ChapterTwo

AcurlofcigarettesmokedriftedonthenightairasKostyastoodontheroofof

thehigh-riseandwatchedthecityslowlyslideintodarkness.Hefelttheheatmoving

everclosertohisfingersastheunsmokedcigaretteburnedfromthetiptothefilter.

He’dlitandwastedfoursofar.Stillnotinthemoodforasmoke,hedropped

thefifthandcrusheditwiththetoeofhisboot.Hebentdown,pickedupthebuttand

slippeditintohispockettodisposeoflater.Therewasn’tmuchchanceofanyone

discoveringhisstakeoutspotorcombingtherooftopforevidencebutoldhabitslike

thesewereingrained.

Cleanit.

Burnit.

Destroyit.

Theremustneverbeatraceofevidenceleftbehind.

Ever.

Heprojectedcooldisinterest,butthepitofhisstomachwasamessofknotsand

tangles.Hismindracedwiththebitsandpiecesofintelligenceandreconthathislittle

spidershadbeengatheringandreportingbacktohimallday.Hecheckedhiswatch.

Ninety-fourminutes—andthewholedamncitywoulderuptinchaosandviolence.

Hisstomachpitchedviolentlyasastreakofangeranddespairzippedthrough

him.Allthatwork!Allthoseyearsofplanningandschemingandsettinguphisintel

network!Allthatmoneyspentandallthosefavorstradedtoturnsnitchesinsidethe

Guzmanorganizationhadbeenwasted.

Tonight,HectorSalaswouldleadabloodycoup,takingoutthepowerplayers

standingbetweenhimandthecartelthrone.Comesunrise,anewmanwouldbein

chargesouthoftheborder—andthatintricatewebKostya’sspiderscrawledwould

havetoberedesignedandwovenalloveragain.

Blowingoutaresignedbreath,Kostyawipedahanddownhisface.Thiswasn’t

thefirsttimehe’dbeenforcedtostartoverfromscratch.Hisentirelifeseemedtobe

anendlesscycleofhastilywipedslatesandnewstarts.Whenthedustsettled,he

wouldhavetotakestockofwhichinformantshadsurvivedthepowershiftandbegin

thetediousprocessofrebuildinghisnetwork.

Thecellphonetuckedintothebackpocketofhisdirtyoverallsvibrated.He

withdrewitandswipedatthescreen.Oneoftheknotsinhisstomachrelaxedand

unwoundashereadthemessagefromFox.

It’stime.

Hetappedouthisshortone-wordreply—coming—andslippedhisphoneback

intohispocket.

Adrenalinesurgedthroughhissystemashepulledonthebaseballcap

emblazonedwithaplumbingcompany’slogoandhoppedbehindthewheelofthevan

he’dborrowedfromtheownerwhoowedthefamilyafavor.Afteraquickglancein

therear-viewmirrortocheckthefakemoustachehe’dappliedearlier,hepusheda

pairofthick-rimmedglassesintoplace.Nobodypaidattentiontotradesmen,

especiallynottheoneswholookedlikesomeone’screepyfuckinguncle,andthatwas

thewayhelikedit.

Ashelefttheparkinggarage,heranthroughtheplansinplaceforthenight.

Nikolaiwouldn’tletVivianoutofhissight,asusual.Thebosshadensuredthatallhis

captainsknewtokeeptheirsoldiersinpublictonight.Theywouldbeseeninbarsand

restaurantsandclubs.Everyoneneededasolidalibi.Therewasn’ttobeawhisperof

RussianinvolvementintheMexican-on-Mexicanviolencethatwasgoingdown

tonight.

Certaintherestofthefamilywouldbesafe,hewasfocusedsolelyon

protectingHolly.Ithadn’tbeenthathardtoconvinceoneofthecoffeeshopbaristas

workingnextdoortoHolly’ssalontosabotagetheplumbinginexchangeforthe

promiseofanewstartinanewcity.

Fox,oneofthestreetkidshehadsavedyearsearlierandnowemployed,had

beenhackingintothesalon’ssecuritysystemrepeatedly.ItwasimperativethatHolly

growsofrustratedwithhercurrentsecurityservicethatshecometohimforhelp.

Aftertonight,heneededtohavehiseyesonheratalltimes.Settingoffthealarm

randomlyduringthedayandhavingFoxhijacksecuritytechsupportphoneline

wouldpushHollyovertheedgeandforcehertolookforoutsidehelp.Fromme.

Guiltsouredhisgutwhenhethoughtofallthewayshewasmanipulating

Holly’slife.Hewasdoingittokeepheralivebutthatdidn’tlessentheuneasyfeeling

twistinghisstomach.Theirfriendshiphadbeenthetruestofhislife,andnowhewas

abusingitandgas-lightingherinwaysthatwouldhavemadehisinstructorsbackat

theCentresoveryproud.

Fromaveryyoungage,hehadbeenconditionedandtrainedbyhisparents,

bothcovertSovietoperativesbasedoutofEastGermany,nottofeelguilt.He’dbeen

taughtnevertogetinvolved,tobuildwalls,tonevertrust.He’dtakenthoselessonsto

heart,especiallyafterhismotherandfatherhadbeenbetrayedandmurdered.Their

deathshadtaughthimthemostpainfullessonofall,andhe’dpromisedhimselfthat

somedayhewouldrevengetheirdeaths.

Someday?Blyad.Never.

Alltheseyearslaterandhewasnoclosertosolvingthemysteryofhisparents’

gruesomedeaths.Ithadbeenaninsidejob.Ofthat,hewascertain.TheKGBhad

beeninturmoilatthetimehisparentshadbeenkilled.Asmembersoftheinnercircle,

theyhadbeenhighvaluetargets.Theirdeathshadsignaledtheendofaneraandthe

beginningofanewer,leanerandevenmorecorruptintelligenceagency.

KostyahadwastednotimeinpledginghimselftotheFSB,theKGB’s

successoragency.Hehadbeenjustaboy,buthe’dbeendeterminedtoprovehimself.

Ithadn’ttakenhimanytimeatalltogetoutintothefieldwherehehadexcelledina

specifickindofcovertwork.Mokroyedelo.Wetwork.Assassinations.Cleanings.

Buthe’dneverbeengoodatplayingthekindsofgamesthatwerenecessaryto

stayaliveinsidetheagency.Hedidn’tlikepolitics,andhesureasshitwasn’tgoingto

lickbootstoclimbtheranksandmovefromthefieldintoacushyforeignpostonan

officialdiplomaticmission.

Sowhentherumorofhisimpendingdemisehadreachedhisears,Kostyahad

quicklypivotedandsoughtemploymentwithMaksim.Moscow’smostruthless

criminalgodfatherhadbeeninneedofamanwithKostya’sskillset,andhe’djumped

atthechancetoleavethecountryandleaveitfast.

AcleanidentityandafreshstartintheUnitedStates.

HehadmadeagoodlifeforhimselfhereinHouston.Buthehadagnawing

acheinthepitofhisstomachthatwouldn’tgoaway.Itwasaforebodingsensationhe

couldn’tescape.Hehadabad,badfeelingthathisgooddaysinHoustonwere

numbered.

Andthecountdownwasstartingtonight.

Forweeks,therehadbeenrumorscirclingtheHoustonunderworldofa

retaliatorycartelhitplannedforsomeoneclosetoNikolai.Kostyahadfearedthehit

mightbemeantforVivian,nowpregnantwiththeboss’sheir,butthetruthhadbeen

evenmoreearthshatteringforhim.

Theintendedtargetfortonight’shitwasHollyPhillips.

Hisfingerstightenedaroundthesteeringwheel.

Hisjawclenched.

MyHolly.

Hewasn’taneasilysurprisedman,notafterallthathehadseen,buthisknees

hadgonewobblyandhisstomachhadlurchedpainfullywhenhe’dreadthe

informationinthefileFinnConnollyhadhandedhimduringtheirearlierrendezvous.

ThemiddleConnollybrotherwasneckdeepinhotwateraftertakingouta

cartelhitmanwithaperfectlyplacedsnipershotduringashootoutearlierinthe

summer.NowFinnwasbeingblackmailedintohelpingthecartelwiththeirRussian

problem.SomeoneouttherehadinformedthecartelthatHollyandNikolaisharedthe

samefather—MaksimProkhorov.NowthecartelwantedtosendamessagetoNikolai

andthebigbossbackinMoscowbykillingher:Nooneissafe.

Ifwhatthefilesaidwastrue,ifHollyandNikolaiwerehalf-siblings,herlife

wasabouttogetverycomplicated.Shehadgrownupinatangleofsecretsandlies.

Oncethetruthcameout—anditwould—shewouldbedevastated.Thethoughtof

Hollyhurtingmadehischestache.Herubbedathissternumandtriedtoplayoutall

thedifferentangles,buthecouldn’tfindanoutcomethatsavedherfrompainand

heartache.

Andyou’repartofthoselies…

Stillloathinghimselfforaddingtothepainandbetrayalshewouldsomeday

experience,Kostyapulleduptothecoffeeshopandbackedintothespaceclosestto

thedoor.Hesurveyedthesurroundingareawhilepretendingtostartaworkorder.He

quicklynotedthelocationsofthevariousvehiclesinthemostlyemptyparkinglotand

thenglancedatthedarkenedstorefrontssurroundingHolly’ssalon.

Metalclipboardinhand,heexitedthevanandmovedaroundtothereardoors.

Hiddenfromview,hetuckedanalmostinvisibleearbudintoplaceandclearedhis

throattomakesurethetinymicrophoneembeddedintheIDtagclippedontohis

uniformoverallspickedupthesound.Twoshortclicksechoedinhisear.Fox,histech

goddess,signaledthatshecouldreadhimloudandclearfromthevanshehadparked

inanearbybigboxstorelot.Shewashandlingallthesurveillancefortonight.

Carryingatoolbox,Kostyaenteredthecoffeeshopandfoundtheemployee

Lobohadbribedearlierthatmorning.Theshiftmanagerledhimtotherearofthe

buildingwhereapairofcloggedkitchensinkswereoverflowingandspillingmurky

wateralloverthetilefloor.Hecastacursoryglanceattheproblem.Itwouldbeeasy

enoughtoclearthesabotageddrainafterhehadtakencareofhismoreillicitbusiness.

Heplunkeddownthetoolboxonthestainlesssteelcounter,openeditandlifted

uptheexpandabletoptraytorevealtheinnercompartment.Heplacedhislefthandon

thepistolwithasilencerattachedandusedtherighttograbthefivefatenvelopes

stuffedwithhundreddollarbills.Hetossedthemoneyattheshiftmanager.The

envelopeshitthecounterwithaloudthwap.

Theyoungermanswallowedhardandstaredatallthatmoney.Hereachedinto

hispocketwithslightlyshakingfingersandwithdrewthekeystotheshop.Heplaced

themonthecounter.“I’vecloseduptheregistersanddoneallthepaperworkforthe

night.”

“I’lllockupwhenI’mdone.”

Themannoddedandreachedforthemoney.“ThisismorethanIwas

expecting.”

“Consideritanincentivetogetthehelloutofthiscity.Tomorrow,”Kostya

addedwithasteeledgetohisvoice.

“Tomorrow?”Hehesitatedbeforetakingthemoney.“Ican’tjustleavelike

that.”

Kostyawrappedhisfingersaroundthehandgunbutdidn’tbringitoutofthe

toolboxjustyet.Holdingthemanager’sgaze,heintonedlevelly,“Icanjustaseasily

cleanuptwobodiestonight.”

Themanagerpaledandlickedhislips.“I’llbeoutofherebeforesunrise.”

“Gooddecision.”KostyakepthisgripontheGrachpistolandwatchedthe

managertakethemoney—allfiftygrandofitfromhispersonalstash—andleavethe

shop.

Aloneinthebuilding,hewalkedtothefrontdoorandhoppedupintobackof

theplumbingvantogetthetoolshewouldneedtofixthecloggeddrain.Ifanyone

hadeyesonthebuilding—andhewassurethecartelhitmandid—theywouldseehim

doinghisjobandnothingelse.Backinthekitchen,helefttheplumbingtoolsonthe

floornexttothesinkbeforeclosingupthetoolboxandtakingitwithhimtothe

supplyroomthatsharedawallwithHolly’ssalon.Hefoundthesmallclosethousing

thebreakerboxandsecurityalarmandlocatedadrywallpanelwithasmallaccess

dooralreadycutintoit.Itwasgoingtobeatightsqueezebutitwastheonlywayinto

thesalonwithoutusingthefrontorrearentrance.

Afterpullingonapairofblackleathergloves,heopenedtheaccesspaneland

flickedonhisflashlight.Thepanelontheothersideofthewallhadalreadybeen

removed.Hesawablurofmovementbeforeafamiliarfacepeeredbackathim.

Browneyes,darkhairandthatyoung,innocentface—Lobo.

Forabriefmoment,hefeltanotherstabofguiltwhenheconsideredwhatagirl

ofherageshouldbedoingrightnow.Hangingoutwithherfriends?Finishingup

homework?Watchingsomesappyteenageshitwhilepaintinghertoenails?Butnot

this,hethought,definitelynotthis.

Loboslippedintothetunnelandreachedouttohim.“Givemeyourtoolbox.”

Hepushedthetoolboxthroughtoherandshimmiedthroughtheaccesstunnel

betweenshops.Ontheotherside,heclimbedtohisfeetandscannedthesupplycloset

theywerestandinginnow.Thespacewaslitbytheirflashlightsandafewglow

sticks,alleasilyextinguishedlightsources.HenoticedthatLobohadputtogethera

smallpalletoftowelsalongonewall.

“BlackSwanisworkinginthefrontofthesalon.Heroutfitisn’taperfect

matchforOdette’s,butit’scloseenough.Noonewatchinghersweeporstockshelves

throughthewindowswillbeabletotellthedifferencebetweenthem,notwiththe

lightsdimmed.Foxhascontrolofthecameras.Wecanseeeverythinghappening

insideandoutsidethesalon.SunnyistailingJarhead.Hehasn’tleftthehospitalyet.”

BlackSwan.Lana.

Odette.Holly.

Jarhead.FinnConnolly.

Aperfectlittleprotégé,Lobohadcompletecontrolofthejob.Hewoulddothe

dangerousworktonight,butshewasrunningthisshow.ItwastimeforLobotoprove

herselfcapableoftheworkhe’dbeenteachinghertodo.Itwastimeforhertoget

real-lifeexperience.Tonight,theywouldbothknowwhethershehadthestomachfor

wetwork.

Asmuchasitpainedhim,Kostyabelievedshewouldexceltonight.Shewould

doherjobandshewoulddoitwell.Aftertonight,therewouldbenoturningbackfor

her.

Allthetimeshe’dofferedtogetheranewidentity,tosetherupinaprivate

schoolandpayforhercollege,togiveheranormallife,she’dpolitelydeclined.

Inside,shewasjustasbrokenandbustedupashewas.Maybesheunderstoodashe

hadatasimilaragethattherewasnoothercourseforherlifebuttoliveinthe

shadowsanddotheseterribledeeds.

Ineverywayshehadbeentheidealstudentsincethenighthehaddiscovered

herchainedtoawoodenpostinthatshitholebrothelinCiudadAcuña.Scrawny,filthy

anddamnnearmute,shehadsomehowescapedthehorrorsofsexualabusethatwere

rampantelsewhereinthehouse.Butthebruisesmottlingherskinhadbeenproof

enoughofthehellshe’denduredthere.

Hehadbeeninthebordercityonasidejobatthetimeandhavingawitnessto

hiscrimesthatnightwasnotagoodthing.Puttingabulletbetweenhereyesand

endinghersufferingprobablywouldhavebeenakindness,buthehaddismissedthe

thoughtasquicklyasithadenteredhisbrain.Somethingaboutherhadcalledtohim.

Hehadn’tbeenabletoleaveherbehind.Sohe’dbrokenthosechains,wrappedherup

inablanketandtakenher.

HecastaquickglanceatLoboasshestartedplacingpiecesofmedical

equipmentfromherownbackpacknexttothelittlepallet.Haditreallybeenseven

yearssincehe’dfoundher?

Sevenyearssincehehadofferedherthatchoice—tobedroppedoffatthefirst

policestationhereachedinTexasortocomewithhimandlearnhowtoavengeher

family’sdeaths.

SevenyearssincehehadchristenedherLobo,wipingawaytheidentityand

childhoodshecouldn’tremember,andgivingheranewlifeasaghostwhodidn’t

exist.

SevenyearsthathehadbeenkeepingherasecretfromNikolaiandIvanand

everyoneelsewhothoughttheyknewhim.EvenfromHolly…

Sevenyearsthathehadbeentrainingandmoldingherintotheperfectcovert

operative.

Sevenyearssinceshebecamethefirstofhislittlespiders…

Heleftthesupplyroomwithoutsayingaword.Lobodidn’tneedhimstanding

overhertogetthingsdone.Hemovedquietlyandquicklythroughthebackhallway,

keepingtighttothewallonthewaytoHolly’soffice.Lanaappearedbrieflyinhis

view,andhisfeetstutteredbeneathhim.Fuck,shelookedsomuchlikeHollywithher

hairbleachedicewhiteandcutshort.Thesimilaritiesunsettledhim.

Notevenaweekago,oneofhisunderworldcontacts—theLiquidator—had

calledhimwithastrangerequestforamiddleofthenightrendezvous.Kostyahad

expectedtobegiveninterestinginformationorfirstdibsonvirginsteelormaybe

eventhechancetopickupalittlesideworktoearnsomemoneyforhisretirement

fund,buthe’dbeenledtoahotelroomwhereLana,bruisedandbatteredandrailthin,

hadbeenwaitingforhim.ShehadbeenclutchinganotefromtheLiquidator

explainingthathehadfoundtheyoungwomaninthehomeofatargethe’djust

neutralized.AfterhearingherspeakRussian,hehaddecidedtohandheroffto

someoneelse.

Ithadn’ttakenKostyalongtoworkoutthatshehadbeentraffickedfromher

homeinBelgorodafteransweringoneofthosepopularmodelswantedads.Shehad

beenthroughhellinthelastyear,andeventuallyhewouldfindthemenwhohaddone

thistoherandhurtthemevenworse.

Nikolaiwouldhavetobetoldabouthersoon—tomorrow,even.Theboss

wouldgofuckingballisticwhenhefoundouttherewastraffickinggoingonright

underhisnose.Hedidn’tdrawmanylinesinthesandwhenitcametotheillicit

businessesotherbossesranbuttraffickingwaspunishablebydeath.Nikolaiwouldn’t

standforit.

KostyamadeasweepingmotionatLana,silentlytellinghertogetbackto

work.Shehadonepurposetonight.Hewantedhertoplaytheroleofdecoytokeep

thecartelhitmanbusyhere.Inexchangefortakingonthisdangerousroleandrisking

herlife,hewouldgiveheranapartment,car,livingexpensesandacleanidentity.He

wasabastardforputtingherinthisposition,especiallyafterthewaysshe’dbeen

abusedandmanipulatedanddebased,butkeepingHollysafewasagoalhewould

achievenomatterthecosttohimselforanyoneelse.

WhenhefinallyenteredHolly’soffice,hehesitated.Disgustgrabbedholdof

himandtwisteduphisinsidesatthesightofherslumpedbackinherdeskchair.She

woreanon-rebreathermask,andthelowhissofoxygenwaseasyenoughtohear.

Fuckingmonster,hesilentlyberated.Takeagoodfuckinglookandremember

thisthenexttimeyougetstupidideasabouthavingthiswoman.

HemovedtowardHollyandcheckedherpulse.Itbeatsteadilyandstrongly

beneathhisfingertips.Underhisorders,Lobohadslippedintothesalonearlier,

purposelysettingoffthealarmsoFoxcouldtakecontrolofthesystemandgetagood

recordingofHolly’svoice.HehadgivenLoboaprecisedoseofahypnoticsedative

toaddtowhateverHollywasdrinking—usuallysodaorsweettea—anddemanded

thatsheputHollyonsupplementaloxygenassoonasshewasout,justincase.

Themedicalfileshehadstolenspokeofnocontraindicationstothedrugshe’d

justforcedonher,buthewasn’ttakinganychances.Thepulseoximeterclippedto

herfingerassuredhimthatshewasbreathingadequatelybuthewouldfeelbetteronce

shewassafelylockedawayinthesupplyroomwithLoboplayingnurseand

bodyguard.

Ifanythinghappenedtohertonight,hewouldhavetofollowherrightintothe

grave.Hollyhadscratchedawaytheprotectivearmorheworeandhadwrappedthose

beautifullymanicuredfingersaroundhisheart.Hehadneverallowedhertoseewhat

shemeanttohim.Hecouldn’triskalertinganyonetothatvulnerabilitybecauseofthe

dangeritwouldposetoHolly.Butshewasit.Shewastheone—theonlyone.

Andyoucanneverhaveher.Never.

Verycarefully,heplacedthelightweightoxygentankonHolly’slapandthen

gentlyliftedherfromthechair.Hecradledherfragileneckagainstthecurveofhis

armandcarriedheroutoftheoffice.Thescentofherperfumeandshampooteased

hisnose.Thefeelofherinhisarms,ofherslightweightandherheat,wereacruel

reminderofallthethingshewouldneverexperiencewithher.

ThiswasascloseashewouldevergettoHolly—andshewouldnever

rememberanyofit.

Butthatwasagoodthing.Hedidn’twanthertoseeorhearanyoftheviolence

thatwasabouttohappenhere.Hedidn’twanttobreakherheartorshatterhersense

ofrealitybyrevealingallthesecretsheknewabouther.Whatwouldhesay?Your

fatherisaruthlessfuckingmobdon?Yourmotherisaliar?

Ifsheevenisyourmother…

KostyahadhisdoubtsthatthewomanHollyknewashermotherwasheractual

fleshandblood.Maksimhadatypeandanotoriouspenchantforcriminallyyoung

blondes,butFrancesPhillipshadbeenatleastfortywhenshe’dsupposedlybecome

pregnantbythemostpowerfulanddangerousmanintheMoscow.Itdidn’tmake

sensetoKostya.

“YoubroughttheDNAkit?”KostyaaskedasheplacedHollyonthepalletof

towelsandarrangedtheoxygentankonthefloornexttohershoulder.

“Righthere.”Loboplaceditonthepalletbeforepickingupanautomaticblood

pressurecuff.“Maxsaidtogethairandsaliva.”

“Getitdone.Quickly,”headdedbeforediggingthroughhistoolboxforthe

itemsheneeded.Platinumblondewig.Twopistolswithsilencersattached.Garrote

wireforquick,stealthdeath.Smallportablespeaker.

“Doyouthinkhe’lldoit?”Lobopulledasidetheoxygenmasklongenoughto

swabtheinsideofHolly’scheek.

Kosytadidn’thavetoaskwhichheshemeant.FinnConnollywassupposedto

comeheretonighttokillHolly.TherewouldbeacartelhitmanfollowingFinntosnip

anylooseendsandmakesurethejobwasdone.Theywouldprobablytrytoplant

evidencetosparkawarbetweentheRussiansandtheAlbaniansortheRussiansand

theHermanoscrewtomuddythewaters.

Buthewouldkillthesicariofirstandanyonewhocamewithhim.Ifhe

somehowfailed,Lobowouldbetheonetofinishthejob.Heplacedthesecondpistol

nexttoherkneeandcaughthergazeforamoment.Sheglanceddownattheweapon

sheknewhowtohandlewithalmostexpertmarksmanshipandnodded.

Answeringherquestion,hesaid,“He’lldoit.”

Lobodidn’taskhimhowhecouldbesosure.Shetuckedtheswabintothe

protectivetubeandsealedittight.Ashewatchedherpluckafewstrandsofhairfrom

Holly’sheadandstuffthemintoasmallenvelope,hethoughtofthecontingencyplan

inplacetonight.Itwasaplanhehadn’tmentionedtoLobobecauseshewouldgive

himthatlook,theonethatmadehischesttightenwithsomethingsuspiciouslyakinto

shame.Hedidn’thavetimeforthatshittonight.

AssoonasshefinishedwiththeDNAsamples,LobocheckedHolly’sblood

pressurewiththeautomaticcuffandreadoutthenumbertohim.Reassuredthatshe

wasstabledespitethedrugs,hereachedintohistoolboxandwithdrewthesyringe

pre-loadedwithaprecisedoseofafast-actingsedative.“Ifshewakes,youhither

withthis.”

“Shewon’twake.”Nevertheless,Lobotookthesyringeandsetitaside.

“Don’tletherseeyourface.”

“Iwon’t.”

“OnceIleavethisroom,nooneopensthisdooragainexceptforme.Youput

twobulletsinthefirstchestyousee.Understand?”

“Yes.”Sheheldhisgazeandcalmlygaveheranswer.“Iwon’tfailyou.”

Afatherlypridewarmedhimrighttothecore.Lobowasofanagethatshe

couldbehisdaughter.Theirrelationshipoverthelastsevenyearsmimickedthatofa

fatherandhisdaughter—ifthefatherwasanotoriouskillerandthedaughterhada

thirstforrevenge.

CastingonefinalglanceatHolly,hetookthetoolsheneededandleftthe

supplycloset,securingthedoorfirmlybehindhimandleavingthetwowomenalone

inthedarkexceptfortheglowsticksandflashlight.HewastwostepsfromHolly’s

officewhentwoclicksechoedinhisear.Heperkeduptothewarningofanincoming

communication.

Amomentlater,Foxcameacrosstheairwaves.“Clonesystemisupand

running.”Afterhermultipleinfiltrationsandtests,shehadduplicatedthesalon’s

securitysystem,creatingaclonedummythatthecartelhitmancouldsetoffwithout

alertingthepoliceorthesecuritycompany.Itwasonethatshefullycontrolledand

couldmanipulateifthehitmanmanagedtohackit.Shewouldallowthemtoseereal-

timevideoofthesalon’sfloorwhereLanapretendedtobeHollybuttheywouldsee

stockrecordedloopsofthehallwayswhereheorLobomightbeseen.“AndJarhead

isnineminutesout.”

“Received.”Thatpartoftheupdateprovidedabitofrelief.Henolongerhadto

worryaboutorderingArtyomtodosomethingtrulyunspeakabletoforceFinnto

followthroughwiththeplan.

Awareofthetimecrunch,heenteredHolly’sofficetosetupthespeaker,dim

thelightsandsetthescene.Heflickedtheswitchonthespeaker.“I’mgoforthe

recording.”

“I’mqueuedupandready.Standby.”

Afteraquickglancearoundtheofficetoascertainwhetherthelightsweredim

enough,hepulledonthewig,removedthefakeglassesanddroppedintoHolly’s

chair.Hesmackedthespacebaronthekeyboardtowakeuphersleepingdesktopand

typedinthepasscodeFoxhadtemporarilyplacedonallthecomputersloggedintothe

salonnetwork.

Appreciatinghowseamlessshemadeallthistechnologicalbullshit,hedecided

topayheralittlebonusonherbirthdaynextweek.Shewassodamngoodthatshe

madeeverythinglooksoeasy,buthehadseenherinactionandknewhowhardshe

wasworkingtomakethisoperationasuccess.

Sittingthere,waitingforthehitsquadtosetoffthealarmtodrawHolly—Lana

—toherofficewheretheinstructionsleftforFinnhadpromisedshewouldbe,he

thoughtofallthewayshisplanscouldgotoshittonight.

IfFinnmadeonemisstep,hecouldcatchabullet.Awoundedveteranwitha

veryrichandverywell-connectedgirlfriendwasgoingtobeabigfuckingproblem.

Ifthecartelhitsquadwaslargerthanhehadanticipated,LoboandHollycould

bebadlyhurt.

IfhitsquadnoticedSunnytrailingFinnorFox’svanparkednotfarfromhere,

theycouldbeidentifiedandmarkedforretributionorworse.

IfHollywokeuptooearly,shemightseeorhearsomethingthatcouldneverbe

forgotten.Wouldsheruntothepolice?Wouldsheruntohermother?WouldFrances

PhillipsfinallyrevealhertrueselfifHollytoldherwhathadhappenedheretonight?

“It’stime.”Foxcalmlywarned.

Allthosetroublingwhat-ifsfledhismind.Hesteadiedhisbreathsandwaited

foritalltostart.Whenthealarmblared,heswallowedslowlyandadjustedhisgripon

thecleanGrachhe’dpickedupforthisjob.Heheardfootsteps—Lana’sfootsteps—

thatpausedinthehallwaynearthesecuritysystemkeypad.Shebangedontheboxa

fewtimesandthenpunchedinthepasscodethatLobohadhelpedhermemorize.

ThephoneonHolly’sdeskstartedtoring,thesignalthatwouldcallLanainto

theroom.ItwouldbeFoxontheotherend,ofcourse.Lanajoggedintotheoffice,

playingtheroleofHollysuperbly,andslippedintothesmallclosetontheleft.He

pickedupthephonebutsaidnothingasFoxplayedtherecordedconversationfrom

earlier.HerportionofthefakecallthathadaggravatedHollysomuchplayedoverthe

phonelinewhileHolly’srepliescamethroughthespeaker.

Theearbudcrackledagainsthiseardrum.“Jarheadisonsite.”

Itwouldn’tbelongnow.Sixtyseconds?Seventy?Oneortwonicelyplaced

shots—anditwouldallbedone.Hecontrolledhisbreathingandlistenedintently,

waitingforthewhisperofafootsteporthecreakofadoor.

There!Finally.

Theofficedooropenedslowly.Heheldhisbreathnow,strainingtohearover

therecordings.Thefinehairalongthebackofhisneckstoodonend.Heglanced

awayfromthecomputerscreentostareatthedarkenedcorneroftheroomtogivehis

eyestimetoadjustbeforehehadtomakeagood,cleanshot.

Ahandgrippedthebackofhischairandspunitaroundwithaquickburstof

force.FinnConnollydroppeddowntooneknee,movingoutofthelineoffire.

Kostyaspottedthedarkfigureinthedoorwayandcenteredhismuzzleonthetarget.

Hesqueezedofftwoquickshotsandthemaninthedoorway,thesicariowhohad

beensenttotrailandkillFinn—andHollyifFinnfailed—fellforward.

Kostyashovedoutofthechair,sidesteppedFinnandrushedthedoorway.He

kickedawaythegunstillheldinthecartelhitman’shandandthencroucheddownto

checktheman’spulse.Hefoundnothingandexhaledapent-upbreath.It’sdone.

“Ishedead?”Hisgunpointedsafelyattheground,Finnrosetohisfeetwith

onlytheslightestwobblebeforequicklyfindinghisbalanceonthatprostheticleg.

“Yes.”Hepickedthroughthehitman’spocketsbutfoundnothinginterestingor

useful.Thedeadmanwasaprofessionalandhadnothingonhimthatcouldidentity

himortiehimbacktothecartel.

Finnmovedcloser—andthenstoppedsuddenly,hisentirebodygoingrigid.

KostyaliftedhisheadjustasFinntappedhisshoulder,thesilentsignalalertinghimto

thesoundsofanotherpersonapproaching.

Shit.

EvenbeforeKostyacouldreact,FinndisplayedthosefinelyhonedMarine

instinctsandgrabbedthepossibleassailantthemomentheappearedinthedoorway.

Finnslammedthemanintothewallandpressedhisforearmacrosstheman’sthroat.

“Hey!Hey!”HectorSalasliftedhishandswhilecroakingthewords.

FinnspottedtheguninHector’shandandstrippedhimofitbeforepointinghis

ownweapononthecartel’snewboss.“Youhavethreesecondstotellmewhyyou’re

here.”

Fuck.ThelastthingFinnneededwastomakeanenemyofHectorSalas,aman

secretlyrelatedtoFinn’snewgirlfriend,Hadley.WhetherFinnwasawareofthat

connectionornot,Kostyacouldn’tsay.

Tryingtoheadoffadisaster,hetappedFinn’shand.“Loweryourweapon.”

Asifrealizinghedidn’tknowthefullscore,Finnfrownedanddidas

instructed.

KostyaglaredatHector.“You’relate.

“It’sbeenabusynight.”

Hecouldonlyimagine.“Didyougetitdone?”

“It’sfinished.”Hectorslashedhishandthroughtheair.“It’sover.”

Heharrumphedandnudgedthedeadmanwiththetoeofhisbooth.“Whatdo

youwanttodowiththisone?”

“That’syourspecialty,notmine,”Hectorrepliedeasily.

“That’sright,”Kostyaanswereddryly.“Betrayalandtreacheryareyours.”

Hectorflippedhimoff,butKostyaignoredit.Henoticedthatpensive

expressiononFinn’sfaceanddecideditwastimetogettheinjuredvetoutofthere

beforehestartedpiecingthingstogether.Thelessheknewthebetter.

Asifsharinghisthoughts,Hectorgesturedtowardthedoor.“Youshouldgo,

Finn.Thisisn’tthesortofnightyouwanttobewithoutanalibi.Getbacktothe

hospital.Hadleyneedsyou.Thisisdone.You’refreeofwhateverobligationyouhad

tothecartel.”

“Wait.”Kostyareachedintohispocketforoneofhisspecialcards.Hehanded

ittoFinn.“Considerityourinsurancepolicy.Whateveryouneed,youcallme.Iowe

youadebt.”

Finntookthecardandtuckeditintohisbackpocket.Heglancedatthedead

bodyontheground,shookhisheadandleftthebuildingwithoutsayinganotherword.

KostyahopeditwasthelastheeversawoftheformerMarine.

AlonewithHector,Kostyaglancedattheusurperwhohadledtonight’scoup.

“Youshouldgetoutofhere,too.”

Hector’sgazedrifteddowntothedeadmanbleedingoutonthetilefloor.The

whitishbluelightfromthecomputerscreenilluminatedhisconfusedexpression.

“Thereweresupposedtobetwoofthem.IgotthatinformationrightfromElJefe’s

mouth.Soheeitherliedtomyfaceorthisonekilledtheotheronebeforethejob

startedtokeepthemoney.”Hepausedandgrimaced.“Orwe’remissingaman.”

Hispulsepoundingnow,KostyatiltedhisheaddowntowardtheIDbadge

danglingfromthefrontofhiscoverallsandrushedoutoftheoffice.“Didwemiss

someone?”

“Jarheadwastrailedbyoneman.”Foxansweredhimquicklyamidthetapof

keyboardkeys.“Sunnydidn’tseeanyoneelse.Ihaven’tpickedupanythinginthe

salonorattherearorfrontentrances.”

Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.Foxmentionedtheentrances,andherealizedhehad

forgottentolockthefrontdoorofthecoffeeshoporsetthealarm.“Dowehaveeyes

inthecoffeeshop?”

“There’snovideolinkthere.It’sjuststraightsecuritywithmotionsensors.”

Tap.Tap.Tap.“There’satrafficcamwithaviewofthecoffeeshop.LetmeseeifI

can—hell!It’sbeenknockedoffline.”

Shit.

Fearingtheworst,Kostyareachedthedoorofthesupplyclosetandrapidly

knockedfivetimestomakesureLobowouldn’tputabulletinhimthesecondhe

openedit.Hetwistedthehandleandpushedthedooropen.

Thescentofbloodandworsehithimrightintheface.

Aninvisiblefisttwistedhisgut.Heslappedatthewalltofindthelightand

blinkedawaythemomentaryblindnessfromthesuddenblastofbrightness.

Whenhiseyesfocusedonthebloody,messyscenebeforehim,Kostyaexpelled

anagonizedbreath.Fuck.

ItseemedLobohadastomachforwetwork,afterall.