CHAPTER 1
Change of Course
Onyx
About thirty-nine years ago …
“Net,my brothers and sisters aren’t interested, my friend.”
Ian snorts as he hears the same lie I do. I peek through the crack of my hiding place. The look on Aleksandr Krupin’s face confirms what my ears tell me.
He’s lying and that smug-ass grin says it all. I never did trust the Krupins. I don’t think Ian does either, with the exception of Lev. If you ask me, the entire family should be certified.
“Funny, when I spoke to Lev, he spoke a different story.”
“Da, but it is my approval you seek. I say no. It is disrespect to me you go to younger brother first.”
“Then why did ye come here?”
“I hear noise, I want to see who make. I like to see rat before set trap.”
“Are ye threatening me?”
“No threat. Just promise. The answernet, and we will not allow this.”
“Ye are a fool. No one is allowing us to do anything. It is already done.”
“Net, it is not done.Da, I may be fool, but fool who live to see another day. You and Lev, not so much.”
With that, Aleksandr Krupin gets up to leave. I take the phone in my hand off speaker and lift it to my ear as I watch Ian Black glare after Aleksandr. The tension in the air can still be felt.
“Did you hear that?”
“Da, I heard. One million. Aleksandr not return to Russia.”
“Are you sure? This is your brother.”
“Da, he won’t stop until he kills us all. I know what I have started. I handle others. You handle him. If he returns, he problem for me. Tell Ian deal still on.”
I end the call and step out of my hiding place. Ian turns to me and looks me in my eyes. I can see the rage in his face.
“Lev wants him gone. He says the deal is still on.”
“Aye, ye know what to do, Onyx. I’ve already transferred your money. I will be on my way back to Scotland. Be safe, love.”
I go to ask him about the other mercenary he sent to work with me on my last mission for him. However, instead, I nod and turn to leave. I don’t bother to tell him I’m not going to follow him this time. My baby girl doesn’t need this world to know about her.
Friends and enemies alike. I won’t risk it. Her conception was a mistake, but it might have been just what I needed. This life is taking a toll on me.
Other than money, I have no real vested interest in any of this. Ian is on a mission. He’s playing a long game.
I’m just one of his pawns. I fell into this life to survive. Ian Black became like a father figure to me—that is, when he’s around.
For the most part, I’ve become used to being alone. I know I’m not the only one; Ian has us all over the world. I never understood his interest in me. It’s not anything pervy or creepy, but I know he has my back. He looks out for me.
That’s why I agreed to do that last job. Most times, we work alone, and it gets lonely. No strings, no attachments. Well, I broke all the rules and now I have consequences.
If Ian hadn’t asked me to partner with that newbie, this never would have happened. It’s my fault. I let things go too far.
