“Are you okay?” I ask, hugging Niko’s jacket around me and trying to sound calm.
“Where is he? You said he’d be here on time, Ava, but he’s…” Out of the corner of my eye, I see him jerk his arm out and shove the sleeve of his not-so-pressed suit jacket up. “Fifteen minutes late. Fifteen minutes, Ava! Where is he?”
He’s losing it. The formerly gelled hair is back in disarray, and his red power tie hangs loosely around his neck. If there’s any time to act, it’s now. I just hope everyone has played their part, or this is all going to blow up in my face.
Taking a deep breath, I tuck my hand in my pocket and close my eyes. “You’d better be right about this, Bruce Willis.”
Ethan’s head snaps up. “Who the hell are you talking to?”
Shit.
“Myself.”
“You know, you can drop the clueless act any time now.”
“What do you mean?”
He rolls his eyes. “Ava, come on. How stupid do you think I am? I’m an FBI agent. You don’t think I know how to read people? I knew the minute you offered to turn Gaheris in you were playing me.”
That catches my attention, but I continue playing my role. “I’m not! We’re on the same team, Ethan!”
“No, we were on the same team, but you fucked that to hell. Not only did you let Gaheris kidnap you, you let him get in your head.” He presses his fingers against his temples and looks up at me with what can only be described as disappointment. “He weakened you.”
“That’s not true,” I insist, knowing I’m starting to sound like a broken record. Deny, deny, deny, but provide no rebuttal. “It’s the other way around. I was playing him.”
“Really? Is that why you went to Dmitry and told him you wanted out behind my back? Why you told him that if I decided to fight you on this, you’d meet with me one last time and get evidence to threaten me into backing off?”
“Dmitry agreed with me!”
“Really?” Ethan’s lips curl up into a knowing smirk as if he’s about to unleash a secret weapon. “Then why did he come to me right after you left Seven and tell me everything?”
I take a step back. “No, you’re lying!”
“Come on, Ava. I know your pussy’s impressive, but I’m pretty sure there’s a brain rolling around somewhere in that head of yours. You spooked Dmitry. That asshole’s balls were the size of grapes.” As if I can’t grasp the concept, he makes a circle with his thumb and index finger to drive home his point. “I told him I’d handle everything,” The stare that was just incinerating now glints with arrogance. “Just not the way he expected.”
“What did you do, Ethan?”
“Fuck, Ava, do I have to spell it all out for you? I told Sergei everything, starting from the raid. Of course, I may have embellished somewhat.” Ethan walks in a circle around me as he describes his brilliance in detail. “I explained that after I arrested you, you said you’d give everyone what they wanted if I let you go. I could arrest Sergei, and Dmitry could get control of the Bratva. As far as he knew, I was doing my job, and my conscience got to me, but you and I both know I wasn’t going down for this.”
I glare at him over my shoulder. “You son of a bitch! You know that’s all a lie. You blackmailed me into helping you.”
“So? Who’s going to believe you? You’re a Russian mob whore, and I’m a decorated federal agent. Do the math, sweetheart.”
“You told my father I was alive, not Dmitry.”
“You’re quick today, aren’t you?” he mocks, flipping my hair with the barrel of his gun. “Sergei was only too happy to strike a deal. I mean, what mob boss doesn’t need someone on the inside, right? Getting rid of loose ends is his specialty, so I led the way to you and Gaheris as long as he got rid of Dmitry.”
“You knew Dmitry was dead when I called you?”
“No, not officially, so to cover my ass, I had to play it safe. Guess I fucked that one up, huh?”
That’s it, asshole. Keep talking.
I spin around and face him. He’s still wearing that smug-ass grin and I want to slap it off his face. “What about Niko’s mother? My father accused me of telling him where to find her, but I never said a word. Was that you? Did you kidnap an innocent woman?”
Ethan tips my chin with his finger and winks. “That one was so easy, I’m almost ashamed of myself. I wasn’t shocked to find you both gone when I finally found the property. Garrison Franko is a clever alias. Did you know your lover has over twenty-eight of them? One is Frank Garrison who owns a house in New Orleans, paid for from the same offshore bank account as the Okeechobee one. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Gaheris would want Mommy close to his other psycho killer buddies when he’s off shooting people in the head for money.”
“Oh God…” I think I’m going to be sick.
“Now, are we done with twenty questions? You’re really starting to piss me off.”
“Just one more. Why are we at a hangar?” It sounds as ridiculous as I thought it would, but I’m grasping at straws. The man’s coming unglued by the second.
He stares at me for a minute, I suppose to make sure I’m being serious, then shakes his head, running a hand down my hair like he’s petting a dog. “Because there are airplanes in them, sweetheart. Planes go up in the air and take us away from all this bullshit.”
“Us?” I shriek. “Are you insane? I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Is that right?” He taps the barrel of the gun against his chin and pretends to think. “Well, I’ve got a full confession from you on the murder of your step-brother that says you will. You can come with me and keep your whore mouth shut and nod while I tell everyone how I saved you from your homicidal kidnapper, or come with me and go to jail. Either way, you’re coming with me.”
“She’s not going anywhere.”
The deep baritone voice comes from behind me, along with a confusing mix of exhilaration and dread. The last time I heard that voice, I was pinned against a wall with a gun to my head.
Ethan jerks on the end of his tie, pulling it from around his neck. “Christ, it’s about time. Did you stop for coffee and donuts on the way here?”
Niko passes a stare of pure stone between Ethan and me before pointing a gun at my head. “This is between me and her, Schaeffer. Stay out of it.”
“Out of it?” Ethan laughs. “Gaheris, Ava is so knee deep in my bullshit, she can’t shovel her way out.”
Niko glares at me like he wants nothing more than to snap my neck. “Ava.”
“Niko.”
He sees me staring at the gun in his hand and smirks. “Did you think I’d fall for the same line of bullshit three times? Even your pussy’s not that good.”
“I called you for help. How could you—”
“Dostatochno! You should always think before you speak, pchelka. Either choose to fight battles or strategize to win wars, but never underestimate your enemy. You don’t think I know what a fucking set up looks like? I should’ve shot you when I had the chance.”
God, that hurt. As much as I expected it, it still freaking hurt.
“Fine, so you caught me,” I say, spitting out the words. “What do you want, a medal? God, I’m so sick of every man trying to run my life.”
There’s a tap on my shoulder, and I turn my head to see Ethan’s gun instead of his finger. “If you’re done bitching, I’d like to shoot the assassin now.”
“No, he’s mine,” I growl. Ethan sputters behind me as I reach into the inside pocket of my jacket and pull out my own gun. I try to think of something to say, but the look on Niko’s face as I aim it at his chest says enough for both of us.
I hear Ethan’s feet behind me. “Where the fuck did you get that?”
“Stay back,” I hiss. “I told you before this doesn’t concern you.”
Niko levels his gun right back at me, his silver eyes staring down at me with dark intent. “So it’s like that.”
“Yeah. It’s like that.”
“Ava, for
Christ’s sake, the shot cannot come from your gun. That’s not how this works. I have to shoot him. This is all wrong!”
As Ethan charges toward me, my eyes narrow, and I glare at Niko, willing him to feel the overwhelming power in every word. “I hate you.”
He grits his teeth, and bites out his reply. “I hate you too.”
“Ava!” Ethan yells, aiming his gun.
Niko holds my eyes hostage. “Ava!”
“Go left!” I scream just before pulling the trigger. Niko staggers backward, dropping to the asphalt as a cloud of red blooms across his white shirt.
I shot him. I shot him. I shot him.
“What the hell, Ava!” Ethan throws both hands out, gesturing wildly as a second gunshot blasts through the air. I scream, readying myself for the pain, but it never comes. My breath comes harsh and heavy, my hand scanning what little clothing I have on for blood and finding none.
“Ava…”
I turn around to see Ethan on the asphalt as well, his hand cradling his chest and covered in blood. “Oh shit.”
He coughs through a laugh, his teeth as red as his mouth. “Fuck you.”
They’re his last words. As soon as they leave his lips, his body stills and blank, empty eyes stare up at the sky, seeing nothing.
Turning, I can’t stop the tear that rolls down my cheek as I face what I’ve done. Niko is on his back and still, his finger still curled around the trigger. The only difference between him and Ethan is that Niko’s eyes are closed.
I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to look at me either.
Shouts and sirens wail in the distance. I know airport security will be here soon. Those gunshots didn’t go unnoticed. I’m standing with a smoking gun in my hand and I don’t care to hide it. This is the way they’ll find me, and this is the story I’ll tell.
The story that’s been locked away in a house of horrors for eight years.
Ethan wanted to take Dmitry out and ended up dying by Niko’s hand.
Dmitry wanted to take Ethan out and ended up dying by my father’s hand.
My father wanted to take me out and ended up dying by Niko’s hand.
Niko wanted to take my father out and ended up dying by my hand.
And everyone wanted to take me out, yet here I stand.
Be careful what you ask for in life. You just might get it.
Ava
Quantico, Virginia
Present Day
“Collusion,” the chief whispers, the impact of the word finally sinking in.
I glance down at my wrists. “The handcuffs weren’t really necessary, but then again, your agents were only following protocol, right, Carl? Well, most of them, at least.”
A bead of sweat trickles down the chief’s temple, and his right eye starts to twitch. For a moment, I almost feel sorry for him, then I remember we’re opponents, not allies. Still, it must be one hell of a hit to realize one of your own hung a price tag on his oath.
“You must be confused. Special Agent Schaeffer was trying to protect you, not hurt you. Gaheris was—”
“Just as guilty,” I finish for him. “Little Ava Chernova. So broken and stupid. Surely, she doesn’t have it in her to orchestrate a plan to simultaneously take out the man paid to blackmail her and the one paid to kill her.” I cock my chin, a smirk pulling at my mouth. “Or does she?”
He doesn’t respond, and I don’t expect him to. There’s not much of a response to being told you’ve been played for the last three hours.
Surprise, Carl. Bet you didn’t see that one coming.
Since Chief Dunning walked into this office, we’ve fought a strategic battle of words. Every time I close my mouth, his opens. The constant back and forth verbal tennis match has exhausted me more than anything I’ve been through in the past week, but I’m not about to forfeit the game now.
“Never tip your hand too early, pchelka. Take your hits and lull your enemy into a false sense of victory. Only then do you reveal your trump card. They’ll never see it coming.”
Three hours have passed since armed agents brought me to Quantico. Three hours since they sat me in this huge office like I had tainted their precious name. Like I was some brainless pawn in a bloodthirsty man’s vendetta. However, in those three hours, I played their little game, sparing no brutal or intimate detail. I’ve remained stoic throughout countless accusations, insults, ridicule, and threats, and not once did I falter.
But it ends now.
“Interesting. You had so much to say during our time together, Carl. I’m curious as to why, suddenly, I’m doing all the talking.”
I have to force myself to stay quiet. Even though my heart is pounding and all I want to do is throw my final card on his desk and dance around it, I keep my face impassive and wait, giving him enough time to tie the knot in the rope and hang himself.
Swallowing hard, he reaches for his neck and loosens his tie. “Did you just confess to double pre-meditated murder?”
“We aren’t talking about me, Carl. We’re talking about what you plan to do about the dirty agent you allowed to terrorize me for two weeks.”
“Miss Chernova…Ava,” he says slowly. “Even if what you say about Agent Schaeffer is true, you have no proof. The man is deceased. He can’t stand trial to speak for himself. I’ll have to write up a report on everything we’ve discussed and let a committee decide—”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Here it is. The moment of truth. I’ve crawled through hell and made it back to the other side. I’m standing on freedom’s doorstep, and all I have to do is push my way through. Nobody knocks in life and wins. It’s take or be taken.
And I’m done talking.
My gaze settles on the phone sitting on the edge of the desk. Unhurried, I lean forward and take it, feeling the chief’s eyes on me the whole time. Scrolling through the apps, I finally find the one I want and hit play. Within seconds, Ethan’s voice fills the office and my trump card drops to the ground.
“What did you do, Ethan?”
“Fuck, Ava, do I have to spell it all out for you? I told Sergei everything, starting from the raid. Of course, I may have embellished somewhat. I explained that after I arrested you, you said you’d give everyone what they wanted if I let you go. I could arrest Sergei, and Dmitry could get control of the Bratva. As far as he knew, I was doing my job, and my conscience got to me, but you and I both know I wasn’t going down for this.”
“You son of a bitch! You know that’s all a lie. You blackmailed me into helping you.”
“So? Who’s going to believe you? You’re a Russian mob whore, and I’m a decorated federal agent. Do the math, sweetheart.”
I play the entire conversation recorded on my phone from right outside the pocket of my jacket. At the end there’s an eruption of gunfire and screaming and then silence. A shaky breath escapes me as coldness settles in my chest. I turn it off and lift an empty stare at the man sitting in front of me. His chest is heaving unevenly as if he can’t catch a breath, and he seems to have no idea what to do with his hands. First they clench together on the desk, then cup over his mouth, then fold on top of his head.
I’ve rendered him speechless. Then again, having egg on your face will do that to a man.
“The way I see it, you only have two choices, Carl. You can arrest me, and then I go to every media outlet from here to China and sell my story, or you can sweep this under the rug. No one knows what really happened but you, me, and my iPhone, which has a copy just in case,” I say swinging my phone in the air. “As long as you leave me alone, you can make Ethan a national hero for ridding the world of an elusive assassin and two notorious Bratva bosses and collect your commendation for orchestrating the whole thing like a good little boy. It’s your call.”
He avoids looking me in the eye while swiping the back of his hand across his forehead. “If I choose option two, how do I know you won’t double cross me later on?”
He doesn’t. He has absolutely no guara
ntee I won’t screw him over. All he’ll have is my word, and even though it’s not worth shit to him, I’ll honor it with everything I am. With every memory I hold sacred. Every sacrifice I’ve ever made. I’ve worn both masks: the one blindly being deceived as well as the one unremorsefully delivering betrayal, and the latter, while shredding my heart, cut my final tie to the past.
As long as he keeps his promise, I’ll keep mine.
“Carl, I’ve fought on both sides of this war. Believe me when I say I’m done with your kind of justice. I’m going home.”
* * *
The wind blows my hair in a circle around my face and I shiver. People rush all around me with their briefcases and long winter coats, and here I stand in the same tank top and tiny shorts I had on when the Feds tackled me to the floor of that dirty hangar yesterday. I’ve lived in Florida my whole life and never been allowed outside state lines. A harsh winter meant a slight dip into the high sixties. I have no idea how people live in a place that requires so many layers of clothing.
It’s funny; the only thing I’ve ever wanted was to leave Miami, and the moment I do, the only thing I want is to go back.
At least I have Niko’s leather jacket to keep me warm. That was my one non-negotiable stipulation with Dunning. It’s not that I wanted Niko’s jacket back. It’s that I needed it.
“Miss Chernova.”
I glance up to see a man, not much older than myself, dressed impeccably in a black suit, perfectly tailored to fit the well-toned muscles underneath. A lean physique that’s hidden just enough to be discreet but visible enough to make anyone think twice about fucking with him. His face is clean shaven and unsmiling. There’s a hard edge to him that’s unsettling yet familiar.
And he’s calling my name.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“I have instructions to take you to Turner Field,” he says, opening the door to the backseat of the limo. He’s agitated, uncomfortable in a way that tells me he’d just as soon pull out a gun and shoot me in the face than continue this façade.
“From who?”
Darkest Deeds: Cavalieri Della Morte Page 20
