Relieved that the part of me that was supposed to scream didn’t even clear its throat.
Somewhere between round one and round three, the version of me IA still believes in died on this pavement with him.
I exhale once, slow, final.
Then I holster the gun, crouch, and grab him by the collar.
Decision made.
I just killed someone.
For her. For them. For the choice I made the second I saw her break into his house.
This feels like the first honest thing I’ve done in years.
I drag him deeper into the alley, prop him behind the dumpster. Wipe the silencer on his own jacket, unscrew it, pocket it. Shell casings go in my pocket too.
I walk away before the blood finishes spreading.
No sirens. No witnesses. Just a dead Russian, and a teddy bear with a heart that finally tells the truth.
I look at the teddy bear sitting in the passenger seat like a fucking talisman.
Its glitter heart catches the streetlight: MINE.
Yeah. She is.
I pull out the burner.
Me: Bakery’s safe. I have a Dmitry shaped disposal issue.
Callum: You want me alone or with Orion?
An hour later, I’m at Callum’s warehouse.
It smells like concrete and bleach. Orion and Callum are already there with a tarp and a specialized cooler. No questions. No hesitation.
“Nice work,” Callum says. “She’s going to love that we’re working together. Big trust fall energy.”
Orion wraps Dmitry’s body like laundry. “Oksana’s going to know something happened.”
“Let her wonder,” I say. “She moves against us again, I put a bullet in her skull and file the paperwork myself.”
“I don’t give a shit how Wednesday goes. I’m keeping you.” Callum grins.
“Yeah, you’re ours now,” Orion says. “So don’t chew with your mouth open. That’s a deal breaker.”
“Good table manners and stamina in bed,” Callum says and winks. “She’ll overlook a lot.”
“Let’s wrap this up. Detective Calloway has work tomorrow,” Orion says and pats my arm.
I do. Still have my badge. And a family that has my ass.
The apartment is dead quiet when I get back.
I lock the door.
Deadbolt.
