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Natalya
I’ve never been to this side of the city before. The Golden Mile is one of the most expensive housing districts, located near the center of Moscow. These buildings have been here for centuries, some built as far back as the seventeenth century. History is baked into the very ground, in every tree lining the sidewalk. Once upon a time, these homes were occupied by some of Russia’s most notorious noble families, now replaced with the upper-class.
When I approach the house, I have to double check the address Edvard sent me. This isn’t a house, it’s a damnestate. It looks to be three floors tall, numerous windows lined up in neat rows facing the street. A tall iron fence wraps around the perimeter of the property, along with someveryintimidating looking men.
Guards.
More specifically,Bratvaguards.
I shudder, feeling the cold intensity of their eyes following me as I walk toward the front gate. A man stops me, a hand held out.
“Identify yourself,” he snaps.
“My name is Natalya Chekov. I’m here for a job interview?”
“Show me your ID.”
I will my hand to stop shaking as I reach into my purse for my wallet. I give him my driver’s license, which he promptly takes and holds against his phone, no doubt double checking to see if I really do have an appointment. The next sixty seconds feel like they last a lifetime.
“I need to pat you down,” the guard says, handing my ID back.
Ooh boy.
I’m not carrying any weapons on me, but that doesn’t make me any less nervous. These people arethorough. I’d expect nothing less from the most ruthless gangsters in all of Russia.
Once satisfied, the guard steps aside and opens the gate. “Go straight to the door. Don’t wander.”
“Right, thank you.”
I take a slow, deep breath as I head toward the large doors. They’re made of thick reinforced steel. Bulletproof. The realization makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. What other tricks does Dimitri have up his sleeve? Guard dogs? High-powered lasers? Security cameras? How am I going to get out of here unscathed once I’ve killed him?
Rapping my knuckles against the door, I stand as rigid as stone. When the door swings open—I’m stunned. I thought I’d have at least a few minutes to collect myself before I came face-to-face with him. My plan was to enter the household under the guise of being a maid-for-hire, sneak away to the bathroom at the first available opportunity, track Dimitri down in his own home, kill him in a quiet corner of the house, and promptly leave before anyone realized what had happened.
I really should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.
Especially not now that I see a child. Dimitri stands at the door with a little boy in his arms, his mouth open in mutual surprise. My stomach churns. I wasn’t aware he had a kid. This changes things.
“You,” he says. His gaze is piercing, so intense I swear he can see straight through me. “Fancy seeing you again.”
The little old woman who opened the door glances between us. She seems sweet. Reminds me of my own babushka, God rest her soul. “Do you two know each other?”
“We had a little run-in the other day,” Dimitri says.
The muscles in my neck tense. This was a bad idea. He recognizes me—how could he not? If he’s not immediately suspicious, hewillbe.
“I’m sorry I left in such a rush,” I say, thinking on my toes. I need an excuse, plausible deniability. “I had to hurry to get… Well. It doesn’t matter.”
His features are difficult to read. He wears a handsome grin, but his eyes are dark and impassable. I can’t tell if he’s suspicious. Am I about to be sick because I’m nervous about being caught, or because… he won’t stop looking at me likethat.
“Come on in,” he says. “Dahlia, why don’t you take Simon upstairs and, uh… Keep an eye on him for a bit.”
“Of course, Mr. Antonov.”
“This way. I’ll conduct your interview in the kitchen. It should be quiet there.”
My heart stutters.
My nerves are a taut metal wire, seconds away from snapping violently. I move through his space—the lion’s den—more than a little aware of the weight of his gaze. If we’re going to the kitchen, what are the chances I can grab a knife and run him through before his guards are on me like hellhounds?
