Chapter Nine
“We’re not going toknow unless we get inside that house,” Anastasia said.
Dmitriy had wanted to leave her at his safe house.That way, he would be able to do a little closer recon without her in danger.However, he should have known Anastasia wouldn’t just happily stay behind.Instead, she insisted on coming with him, and the truth was, he couldn’t say no to her.Apart from this.
“Hell, no,” he said.
He already started the car and was making his way back toward their safe house.It had been three days of watching Nikolai’s residence, and other than seeing some of the staff leaving, nothing looked out of place.
The only problem was Nikolai Gnesin had in-house staff.Once they worked for him, they were not allowed to leave the property.It was why his staff usually comprised of older people.Those that didn’t have a family.It was a strange setup to some people.He used older people, who were happy to stay in a large mansion, serve him, live their life, have their own bedroom.
In a way, Nikolai Gnesin had built himself a loyal family.The people leaving the house were young.He didn’t know if this meant Nikolai was dead, or if he was captive.Going in would mean certain death.
“Come on, Dmitriy.There is no way you can go in.You told me that.They know who you are.At least they do now, but they don’t know me.First, I am young, and don’t even give me that.I am twenty-five years old.That is young, and I can fit right in,” she said.“They are all in their own clothes.I could do this.”
“I am not going to put you at risk.You don’t know what you’re doing, and if they do know you, you’re as good as dead.”
He gripped the steering wheel, because the truth was, he couldn’t handle the thought of anything happening to her.If she were to die, he would ...there was no telling what he would do.It wouldn’t matter if there was a Bratva or a Mafia, he would destroy them all.
“How are they going to know me?”Anastasia asked.“Think about it, they gave you the order that Babkin was to die, right?We all know that total annihilation meant you would have to kill me.Those are the rules, but they don’t know I’m alive.”
“We’re assuming that.”
“Unless they had cameras set up at my parents’ house,” she said.
“We’re not doing this.”
“Damn it, Dmitriy, this is the only way and you know it.”
He pulled the car into the driveway of his property.The doors were still locked, and he glared at her.
“You get in there, and your assumptions are correct, what then?”
“I work, and I find my way around his place.It’s a pretty big place, and the new girl could get lost.”She shrugged.
“You’re insane.You cannot take care of yourself.You don’t even know how to fire a gun.”
“Then teach me,” she said.“Show me how to fire a gun.”
“Hell, no.There is not enough time to teach you everything you need to know to protect yourself.”
He saw her eyes roll, and it was so incredibly cute.
“You’re out of options,” Anastasia said, and he saw her anger building.“We don’t have anyone else, and I am all you’ve got.Teach me enough to get me out of there safely.”
He got out of the car, slamming the door, and heard Anastasia follow close behind him.
Dmitriy needed a moment to think, but of course, he should have known she would have other ideas.What he hated most was, she was right.The moment he saw the staff leaving the house, Anastasia was his only option.He was compromised.
He needed to know if Gnesin was still alive.If he was, then he had to get him out, and the Bratva had a chance.But if he was dead, he needed to get Anastasia far away.He ran fingers through his hair and turned toward her.She was still talking, but he had tuned her out.
Pulling out his gun, one that could be easily hidden on her body, he slapped it into her palm.
“If we do this, we do it my way, and only when I know you’re ready.”
Her eyes went wide.“You’re going to trust me?”
