Where’d this kid come from? Slowly, they pull off the cap.
Long, dark hair tumbles down. Both Kirill and I freeze near the van doors. Kirill squints, tilting his head to the side like a confused dog. "Hmmm. Try to toughen up, young man. Looking at those weak bones, it is no wonder we caught you so easily."
The figure's head snaps up. The bandana comes down, revealing a face twisted in pure indignation.
"I'm not a man, you turd!" she spits, her voice sharp and furious. "I'm a woman! Can't you see? I may not be the most endowed in the chest department, but I willnotbe insulted for my lack of ass and tits!" With that, she huffs, turning away from us to face Iris instead.
I burst out laughing. "Ahahahaha," I cackle, looking at my brother. "She called you a turd."
Kirill smirks, unbothered. "Well, sorry if we thought you were a man. With how you're dressed, even God would mistake you for a species with a dick." He pauses, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. "And don't worry. I hear women grow into their full selves at twenty-five."
She whips around, her face burning red. "Well, tough luck for me, because I'm thirty-one! Why do men have to open their oral cavities just to piss me off? I get that you're my kidnappers and I gotta cooperate, but at least get the gender right and stop poking the bear!"
Kirill blinks, genuinely perplexed. "Wait. So,youare the bear in this situation? Pretty sure it’s the person with the upperhand that’s the bear,"
She pauses, pondering for a second. "Wait, you're right. Looking at it from a logical point, which, by the way, you can't seem to do. Youarethe bears, and I just so happen to be the victim."
Kirill tilts his head. "Oh, good. We're the bears. I almost thought you were delusional."
I grin, stepping closer. "You don't even come off threatening. More like a small, yapping Chihuahua that thinks it's a Rottweiler."
She glares at me, fuming. I like her feistiness.
I grab her by the arm gently. "Come on, get in the van." She looks up at me, suspicious. "You're being weirdly nice for a kidnapper." I smirk, opening the door for her. "Maybe I have manners."
She narrows her eyes but climbs in anyway, settling next to Iris on the bench seat. Kirill slides in on the adjacent side and I sit next to him. One of our men come in as well and take a seat on the long bench opposite them.
We got this van specially made for when we have to sleep on the road in America. There’s a restroom and bedroom built in for us on the opposite end of where Kirill and I sit. One of our guys take the wheel and we’re on our way to the airport.
I turn to the driver and the other lackey in the back. "Listen up. No one touches them. Especially the redhead. That's Dad's orders. Anyone lays a hand on her, and you'll answer to him. Got it?"
They both nod quickly, pale-faced.
"Good."
The engine roars to life, and the van pulls onto the road, the tires crunching over gravel before hitting the smooth asphalt.
For about thirty seconds, there is silence. Then she speaks. "So," she says, looking between me and Kirill with narrowed eyes. "Are you two twins or something? Because you look exactly the same. Do you share a brain cell too, or does one of you do the thinking?" Kirill stares at her, deadpan. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"Not really," she says, crossing her arms. "It's a coping mechanism. Keeps me from, you know, panicking about being kidnapped by two ginger psychopaths."
I laugh, leaning back in my seat. "Ginger psychopaths? That's a new one."
She shrugs. "Well, you are ginger. And you are psychopaths. So, yeah. The math checks out."
Kirill leans forward, inspecting her. "I still think you might be a man."
Her mouth drops open. "Are youkiddingme right now? We literally just went through this!"
"Just making sure," Kirill says with a straight face.
"I hate you," she mutters.
"The feeling is mutual," Kirill replies smoothly. I can't stop the grin etched on my face. This woman is entertaining as hell. Most people in this situation will probably be crying, begging, or pissing themselves. But she is insulting her kidnappers. Iris, sitting beside her, finally speaks.
Her voice coming out hoarse, "Tessa, please. Just... don't."
Tessa looks at her, her expression softening instantly. She sighs. "Fine. I'll behave. For her."
