Like this, she proved more than ever that she wasn’t the skittish, timid woman she was when I discovered her freezing on that bench in Central Park.
She had grown and learned. She’d tested her boundaries and took chances.
So when we pulled up to the spot designated for our car, I wasn’t nervous and chanting a mantra that I couldn’t fail her. I wouldn’t, not with so much help surrounding me. Not when she was also ready to join in the fight if need be.
“Ready?” Emil asked before we opened the doors. A guard in the passenger seat in the front would stay with her out here in the bulletproof car. She had a comms unit in her ear and she could hear what the team said. On the dash in the front, the screen would show the bodycams of the men on the frontline who’d infiltrate the building first.
“I’ve been waiting for this for fourteen years,” she stated coldly.
I nodded at my cousin to get out of the car. He did, standing outside the vehicle and blocking the door. I got out before Kalina could say anything. Sticking with the plan, I stood on the other side, flanking the car as I joined Emil in looking out over the area. We were higher-ranking men who would still be on the street, but this was an exercise for all the trained assassins Emil had been coaching to take his place in the field.
Over the comms unit, we heard the shouting and muted pops of the guns with silencers. Every man who was killed was reported in live time. A constant barrage of confirmed kills filled my earpiece. All of them would be documented. It was already all on video, such that if anyone wanted to argue who had the glory of ending the last of the surviving Riveras, we would have the evidence behind it.
The Dubinins would always triumph. No one could dare to threaten any of us. With each confirmed kill that was reported, I knew Luka would be mightily pleased. He was still bitter and livid about their coming to the cabin to threaten me, Misha, and Kalina. His anger would last forever that any loyal Dubinin was killed, like those men who’d tried to protect us that fateful night.
This was revenge, sweet and served with serious force.
Waiting with Emil for the final all-clear, that all the Riveras had been killed and were officially dead, I glanced through the slight crack of the window at Kalina sitting there.
Her gaze was locked on the dash screen. She sat still with a slightly furrowed brow as she witnessed the deaths. No sign of fear or trauma showed on her face. This wasn’t triggering her. In fact, it would likely do way more good than harm.
Sheneededthis. To know she wouldn’t be hunted or abused ever again.
“They’re all down,” Niko reported, since he’d volunteered to come with us on this mission. He reported his location to one of the advanced hitmen inside the building with him.
All the while, I didn’t stop staying alert and remaining as the lookout at the street with my cousin. Further down, another car had two plainclothes men looking out. Then again on the other sides of the building. We operated as a team, an undefeatable team.
Listening to the reports as the men searched the building and conferred with each other, we waited yet.
Until…
“They’re here.”
I jerked my face up and found Emil watching me too, having heard the same thing.
“They?” I asked, needing complete confirmation.
“Erik Boranov and his friend,” Niko reported.
Shouts sounded in the background and some scuffle of a struggle came through too.
“No. Don’t kill them,” he ordered.
“Don’t!” I said, knowing the time had come for Kalina to exact her revenge.
Emil arched one brow at me over the hood of the car and I nodded once.
She couldn’t be hurt. I had compromised to let her be this close to the danger, but if they’d taken out all the Riveras and the scene was secure…
“The building is completely clear?” I checked. I would not allow any room for a mistake. Not like this. Not with her.
“Yes,” Niko replied.
“Check it again anyway,” Emil ordered. “Every inch.”
We waited again as the hitmen and soldiers swept through every floor.
When they came back to report, they confirmed the same thing.
