Chapter 99
1417words
Winter has wrapped the world in its fist. Though no more storms have arrived, the weather has been stark. The kind of cold that steals the air from your lungs if you stand outside and take too deep of a breath. From the window of the back bedroom, I stare over the lake. Its ivory surface melds with the land. I only know it's there because parts of the wooden dock are visible. The thick rope extends out before vanishing into the nothingness.
'I was patrolling one of the areas you gave me, pakhan," Kostya says from my side. He arrived ten minutes ago with Mila. I wasted no time rushing them into this private place for some news. 'We have a location on Yannick."
I twist around to stare at him with interest. 'Well?" I demand.
'He was moving Katinka and the boy, Roman, into a black vehicle. A Mercedes. They proceeded to drive west while I pursued. The place they stopped at is a house in another suburb, one that's still under development, very secluded. Lightly defended too, at least currently. If we move now, we might be able to rescue Katinka and kill Yannick in one blow."
I rub my hand over my jaw anxiously. 'This is an incredible opportunity."
'Exactly," Mila agrees. She flashes me a wild grin. 'We can't delay."
Nodding to myself, I pull out a map from a stack of papers on the desk by the window. 'Show me the path they took and where they are now."
Bending over the colorful spread, Kostya begins sketching lines with a pen. The black lines are clean, drawn without any hesitation. 'If we circle in from this side of the street, there won't be a way for him to slip out. We'll have him cornered."
Studying the map, I tap a few spots. 'It should be easy to post snipers who can pick off any of his soldiers that try to provide backup." This is perfect. We've got a real shot at ending this now!
'Asher …" Mila warns in a dark hush, 'your wife is listening to our conversation." She looks pointedly at the door. I follow her gaze, my neck hairs prickling. Kostya straightens up as well.
Both of them eye me expectantly. Taking a calming breath, I push the door open, nearly running into Camila. She retreats with wide eyes. 'What are you doing?" I demand.
The guilt in her face at being caught red-handed twists on itself. Narrowing her eyes, she jabs me in the chest with her finger. 'Are you still going through with this?"
'I don't have any choice."
Her eyebrows arch as high as possible. 'Of course you do! You always have a choice!"
I'm hyperaware of Mila and Kostya watching us. It's almost worse than the last gathering with all my brigadiers, because now they know I've told Camila what I plan to do. She's had everything laid out for her, been chastised for spying, and still, she rebels against me. I can't look weak. With ice on my tongue, I speak in slow, pondering words meant to drive my point home. 'I promise his death will be quick."
Every last drop of blood drains from her face. She's whiter than the snow outside. 'You're going to regret this."
I was already on edge, but her warning triggers a new burst of paranoia. Goose bumps rise along my arms. She's capable of interfering. She's done it before. 'Mila, confine Camila to her room."
Camila's eyes pop wide open. 'Asher!"
Turning away, I look directly at Mila. She stares back at me with dark curiosity. 'I want her under lock and key until I return."
'You can't do this!" Camila argues.
Mila looks put out as she approaches Camila. 'I'm not babysitting her. There's no way I'm missing out on the action," she says.
'Then assign another man to guard her," I agree coldly.
'Mila, don't help him. Please," Camila begs. The pain in her voice cuts me to the core. It's good that I'm not looking at her but the map. Because if I look at her, I'll want to agree with her.
'Come on," Mila sighs as she takes Camila's arm.
Focus on what needs to be done. Remain strong.
'Asher, stop this right now!" Camila yells.
'Someday," Mila says flatly, 'you'll understand that ugly things need to be done. Think of the bigger picture."
'You don't care that he plans to kill a child?" Camila argues.
'Roman is more than a child." Mila's patience is running out. Her voice sounds strained. 'Don't make me drag you by your hair, Camila Yannickevna. I'd hate to do it, but I will."
Kostya lets out a little grunt of surprise—unlike me, he's watching the scene. I can't resist anymore. I peer over my shoulder at the women. Mila has Camila by her arms, pinning them behind her back, forcing her into the hallway.
Camila grimaces, thrusting forward and fighting back. Her eyes find mine—the panic transforms into bitter hate. 'Did you know he almost killed Madison?" she suddenly shouts.
Mila freezes like the air has gone out of her in a great push. She flicks her vengeful eyes at me.
It's a long moment in time. I'm not sure if Mila will turn on me. She's always been loyal, but I knew from the start that Madison was special to her. She related too much to the suffering of that girl.
Stay the course, I think fiercely, trying to send my thoughts into Mila's brain.
Her brow sinks, her eyes narrowing further. Instead of asking me to confirm or deny, she closes her eyes, then rounds on Camila. 'Last chance. I really don't want to do this the hard way."
All the strength fades from Camila. It seeps first from her angry eyes, then to her limp arms, her hanging head. Hair dangles in her face. I can't see her expression. I should be grateful, but instead, it makes my heart shrivel.
'Camila," I call. 'When I come back, it will be with Katinka."
I won't fail again.
Mila is the only one who looks at me. Camila shuffles all the way into the hall without a single word. Not even a sigh.
'Pakhan?" Kostya prods me.
In desperate need to do something with all the energy inside of me, I grip the desk, crushing it until my knuckles throb. 'We'll wait for Mila to rejoin us."
'Of course," he says.
It's not long before the assassin returns. She enters, shutting the door and effectively shutting off all reference to what just occurred. She glances at me from the corner of her eye, and I try to get a feeling for where her head is at after learning about Madison. She doesn't give me a chance; she nods at the map.
'No time to waste, you were saying?"
Easing my cramped hands off the desk, I trace the lines of ink Kostya drew. I go over a quick rundown of each unit, who will be posted where, and when we'll strike on the house.
Finally, I stand to my full height and consider them both with grave seriousness. 'When we encounter Yannick, there's a potential for things to get messy. Katinka isn't to be harmed." I work my jaw as a flicker of wicked excitement takes hold. 'Kill whomever you want, but Yannick is for me."
'And the boy?" Kostya asks.
The excitement dampens like autumn leaves rotting in the sun. 'Make it quick and painless for him."
It's mercy, I tell myself.
But I don't believe it. I never have.
The snow outside shifts in a gust of wind that pushes drifts of it off the dock. A new kind of white flashes; four geese have landed on the ice. When they spread their wings, they remind me of angels.
Why think of heaven? I chide myself. It's a place I'll never go. Men who condemn children to death have no right to keep their souls. I don't need God to condemn me; I've already done it.
And if not me, Camila surely has.
Kristina would have done the same.
The idea splits my throat apart, making me choke on a gritty cough. Mila and Kostya eye me, but I wave them off. I'm beyond help in every sense of the word.
No one will forgive me for what I have to do.
But … even knowing that …
I pray Camila will.
