Stolen from the Hitman: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance(191)

And after what he’s seen… I can’t say I really blame him.

“I hope that doesn’t frighten you away,” Leon says to me softly, and I can tell he is genuinely worried that it might. I wonder how many women have fallen for his looks and daring personality, only to run away from his troubled past and dangerous lifestyle. I want to prove to him that I can take it. I want to show him I’m strong enough to stick around, even if it gets rough.

Because I’m starting to fall for him.

“It probably should,” I mumble, meeting his gaze a little reluctantly. His bright green eyes are mesmerizing in their sadness. “But it won’t. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then it’s settled,” Mikhail cuts in, rubbing his hands together.

“And once Chandler is taken care of, that will solve at least a few of our problems. It will throw off the feds’ operation for awhile, just long enough for us to infiltrate and put a stop to it. Without Chandler around, Agent Doyle won’t have easy access to the abandoned docks, so he will have to find a new way to hustle his huddled masses into town,” Leon explains. Then he adds, “Besides, the bloody bastard deserves to die for what he’s done.”

“Agreed,” Mikhail says simply.

“How will you do it?” I ask, unable to let it go. This is a whole new world for me, and even though I’m trying my best to remain calm, there’s a voice screaming in the back of my head to run away and never look back. I try to silence it, but it remains. I suppose that must be the lingering shreds of my once sterling sense of self-preservation.

“Do not concern yourself with the details, sestra. Leave that to me. I have done this many times before, and I do not consider Martin Chandler a threat on any level,” Mikhail assures me coolly.

“See? It will all be okay,” Leon says, smiling. I can’t believe this is happening, and I’m just going along with it. A week ago, if someone had told me I would be involved in this kind of ridiculous James Bond-esque situation, I would have laughed outright.

But things change. And here we are.

“And in return?” Mikhail presses, raising an eyebrow.

Leon turns back to him and gives him a nod. “I promise to find a safe place to hide Alicia in the meantime. I have friends and connections all over town. Don’t worry, moy brat.”

“Spasibo, Leon.”

The two of them shake hands and then embrace each other. I stand aside, smiling at them even though that voice in the back of my head is starting to get louder with every second that passes. Something tells me their plan is not as foolproof as they pretend it to be. I have this gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, warning me to run, run away. But I can’t.

I’m already in.





41





Leon





“Don’t worry about Alicia,” I tell my brother as we head back out into the bar, “I know a club up in Jersey City who owe me a favor and have a safe house where I’ve personally lain low a few times. She’ll be safe and comfortable. My vice-prez will take her there. Eva?”

She looks up from her pool game and strides over to us, giving Mikhail a nod as she does.

“Got anything going on tomorrow?”

“Nah, I can tell my techs to handle things ‘till the afternoon.” Eva owns a mechanic shop not far from here.

“Good. Do that — I’ve gotta call in a favor from someone I know I can trust. My brother here has a lady he needs taken to the safe house the boys up in Jersey City run. Some of them will still be awake at this hour. If not, here’s some cash for a motel overnight. Get her in there first thing in the morning. Tell them things are even between us if they get this taken care of, alright?”

“Been a long time since I’ve been uptown,” Eva says, stretching her arms and giving Mikhail a smile. “So am I following you, big guy?”

Mikhail gives a slow nod. “I appreciate it.” He turns to me, a grateful look in those cold, killer’s eyes of his. The eyes I know I share, deep down. This is the only person who knows me inside and out, but with Cherry at my side, I wonder if that might change.

“Leon, you should know of all people that I act swiftly and quietly. Once I’m off to handle this situation, it won’t be long before it is done.”

“I know,” I say, glancing to Cherry and exchanging a look. “Tomorrow night, I’m guessing?”

Mikhail simply nods.

“Alright. I can work with that.” The business silently concluded between us, there’s suddenly a warmth in my eyes I haven’t known in a long time, and I give my brother a smile. “It’s been good to see you again, Mikhail.”