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I clutch her to me, both of us breathing hard.
And I know in this moment, it will wrench my heart from my chest to ever let her go.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
KSENIA
We approach Uncle Pavel’s compound in the dead of night after our long train ride, stopping at my stash pad to pick up all necessary sundry items. It felt good to change into my sleek black jumpsuit and strap on all my gear. I feel more like myself.
And yet, everything feels different. For one, I’m not alone. Kharon might be invisible to everyone else, but I can see him hulking large beside me as we creep in the shadows toward my uncle’s compound. My brain knows no one can see him, but it sets my hair on edge, feeling like he’s so visible.
I keep having strange thoughts that are nothing like me. What if I grabbed one of his hands, and we ran away from this horrible place and the memories of the man who took everything from me?
Then I remember just how much my uncle took from me. My father, who raised me to demand justice for all the wrongs life dealt. He spent his whole life trying to get back what had been taken from him. If that was his goal in life, surely I should honor him in death by doing the same? It was all he ever asked of me. To honor the family name and bring back his stolen glory.
My uncle never allowed me to visit this villa, but that didn’t mean I didn’t do my homework. Maybe some families wouldn’t consider it normal to get blueprints on another person’s property, but I always considered it my motto to be prepared.
Granted, I always assumed I might need to know the layout—including security precautions such as where all his cameras were located—in case my father and I ever visited so we felt entirely secure and safe. And honestly, I know now that something always felt off with my uncle and his paranoia. If someone tells me not to come someplace, not to look, that is exactly where I am going to investigate and poke around next.
I had the recon of this property long before I needed it.
If only I’d acted on my gut instinct and warned my father about his brother long before the snake bit him.
Guilt seizes my chest, and I know there’s no turning back now. I must seek revenge. I will have the snake’s head. There is no other option if I am ever to have peace.
The compound walls finally come into view, and I put a finger to my lips for silence. Kharon nods, and I crouch low as I creep forward just out of the camera’s view, below the angle it captures. There are two cameras here—one pointed outward and one pointed toward the inner courtyard.
We already discussed the plans, so Kharon stays tightly at my back as we approach. He lifts me by my waist as I pull a knife from its sheath and quickly slice the cord leading to the back of the camera pointing at the courtyard.
As soon as it cuts the feed, I know I’ve set the timer on an invisible countdown clock.
Staying low and out of sight, I climb into Kharon’s arms against his chest. He wraps me tight and leaps over the twelve-foot fence, easily clearing the barbed wire at the top and landing smoothly on the other side. He leaped so fast that even if we moved in sight of the camera’s frame, it likely wouldn’t have been visible to the naked human eye.
Plus, I imagine the guards are scrambling in response to the cut camera feed. In fact, I’m counting on it.
I stay in Kharon’s arms so he can dash us across the spacious courtyard, knowing every moment counts. Instead of heading straight into the house, he races around to where the pool is. Behind us, I hear a door open, and boots hit the pavement. Soldiers head out to investigate the camera. They have no clue I’m moving at speeds no human can imagine.
I cling tightly to Kharon’s neck as he makes another leap—this time to the balcony of my uncle’s bedroom.
The walls are glass. I press a glass breaker against the balcony door. It shatters instantly, and I spring through the door to the bed, gun raised. Ready to end this here and now, less than sixty seconds after it’s begun.
Except my uncle isn’t in bed. The covers aren’t disturbed, like he hasn’t been to bed yet even though it’s three a.m.
Why can’t people just be where they’re supposed to be when I want to kill them? So inconsiderate. I huff out a frustrated breath and turn to Kharon. “Time for Plan B.”
Kharon frowns but nods. I’m already turning, creeping towards the bedroom door. There’s still time to salvage this.
