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“You are well aware the missions I choose have little to do with money. I take it you’re still bothered by Emily’s appearance.”
He moved closer, fisting his hands before leaning over my desk. Kiki issued a single growl, realizing that my anger was increasing. “I went looking for you given this assignment is time sensitive. Imagine learning you’d gone horseback riding.” Diego darted a look at my dog, taking several deep breaths.
“Cut the crap with me, Diego. You do not challenge what I do or how I do it. If you can’t accept that about your position with me, I’ll be forced to handle the situation. Kiki.Ir a jugar.” As soon as Kiki heard my command to go play, she threw Diego another look before trotting out of the room. I’d heard the expression about never trusting someone a dog didn’t like and Kiki had made it quite clear she couldn’t stand my second in command more than once. I’d never given it a second thought.
Until now.
“Damn dog. You can threaten me all you want, Kostya, but that’s not going to soothe the demons erupting inside your head. I could see it the minute she walked into your life. You’ve never turned down a mission of this kind and you know it. It’s all because you want to keep your dick wet?”
It took everything I had not to smash the glass against his head. As I slowly stood, he reared back to his full height, the first hint of trepidation crawling into his expression. “If you ever disparage her like that again, I’ll remove your tongue first, Diego. Then I’ll enjoy carving up the remainder of your worthless body over time.” He was far too valuable to lose, but I would never allow anyone to jeopardize my work under any circumstances.
We both remained unblinking. Finally, he turned away, taking several deep breaths. “I didn’t mean any disrespect against her or you, Kostya, but can you at least tell me why you won’t take this assignment?”
His question was a legitimate one. Although hunting and killing a single powerful individual was no different from what I’d handled several times, the fact the sender was an unknown didn’t suit me well. “How did he get my name and who the fuck is he?”
“He got your name through Alexei Kozlov. His name is Vasily Ovachov. Does the name sound familiar?”
Diego often forgot that I had no desire or intention of keeping ties with my mother country. Once I’d found a way out of the oppressive communist zone, I’d never returned, nor had I kept up with politics or money moguls. I’d only returned to Russia a single time to handle an assignment that had nearly gotten me killed. “There are millions of Russians, Diego. I left that world a long time ago.”
“Yet you speak Russian fluently. I always found that fascinating. Half Colombian. Half Russian.”
“Is there a reason to go through my history and lineage, Diego? Would you like to know how many other languages I speak fluently or perhaps the name of my birth mother?”
He could hear the rage building in my voice and finally lowered his eyes completely. “What little I know about Mr. Ovachov is that he’s considered an oligarch, worth well over fifty billion dollars. He’s tight with the communist party, although on paper it appears that he’s friendly with various democratic countries.”
“And why does he have an interest in killing someone he should be in bed with?”
“That is something he refused to tell me, preferring to talk with you alone.”
“As I said, I’m not interested; however, run a full dossier on the man. I need to make certain he is who he says he is.”
“Already anticipated. Do you need anything else tonight?”
I took another gulp of scotch, holding the smooth liquor in my throat for a few seconds. “How much do we know about Eddie Falco? Who was he to Jonathan Shephard?”
Diego lifted his eyebrows. “They grew up together, reconnecting after college. They went to the same church, but from what I’ve been able to find, they didn’t associate directly with one another once Mr. Shephard started going undercover.”
“Yes, Jonathan would disassociate himself from his friends and family as much as possible. Still, the bond was tight enough when Emily returned to town, he made certain the girl was hired, likely to keep an eye on her. What I don’t understand is that she doesn’t seem to realize the two were friends. I find that curious.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“That there was another reason they kept their relationship private. Dig around. Also investigate Jonathan’s will. I’m curious what he left his daughter.”
“You really think Jonathan gave her this mysterious information?”
“Anything is possible. He certainly trained her in weapons and self-defense.”
He nodded. “I’ll see what I can find.”
“Good. Let me know as soon as you do, and I want every single asshole you find who could spread intel about my whereabouts or identity found.”
“You’re out for blood.”
I’d been hungry to spill additional blood for two days, my need for revenge only growing stronger. “Let’s just say I need to end the speculation.”
“That should be fun.”
His idea of fun was slowly, carefully stripping a man of his identity using his favorite hunting knife. Diego’s talent was unprecedented, his hunger for revenge often rivaling mine. “No complications. Keep that in mind.”
