“Kirill, aren’t we?—”
“No, we’re not. I say we need this.”
She grabbed my jaw and kissed me hard. Then she stood and grinned at me. “I’m excited.”
“Go on, Lusenka.”
I needed a few minutes to wrap around the impulsiveness of my actions. But I was on the cusp of having a real marriage. One that wasn’t built on lies and revenge. I didn’t know if Lucy and I would last. Just the idea of the divorce made me want to break something. But that hollowness in my chest was gone. It was filled with all things Lucy.
I jumped to my feet. I needed to call Kolya to make sure he had the job this evening handled. I even sent Sato as backup.
The plant that was in my office was now on top of a foyer table. I smiled. It made my wife happy to put a splash of green in my office. Didn’t they say green was calming? Maybe that was her intent.
I picked it up, passed an astonished Sorcha, and muttered, “What? I changed my mind. Just make sure someone waters it.”
After laying the planter down by the window, I called Kolya.
“Everything’s fine,” he said. “You didn’t have to send Sato.”
“But he’s there. Use him.”
“Is that all?”
“I’m flying out to the Bahamas with Lucy this evening. It’s just for the weekend, maybe until Monday. I need you to be alert and keep an eye on things.”
Kolya didn’t answer for a long time. I thought the connection had died.
Finally, he said, “You’re getting rid of her?”
Anger surged inside me, and I could feel a vein pop in my temple. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You’re going on the yacht.”
“Yes, why does this matter? It’s a pleasure trip, not business.”
Kolya huffed. “You’re in the Bahamas, Kirill, there’s plenty you could do that’s business.”
There was. We had allies on those islands as well as people we wanted to get rid of.
When I didn’t say anything, Kolya added, “Don’t tell me you’re not tempted. That madame who’d been part of that sex trafficking of minors is hiding out there. She ratted out our shipment from the Colombians. I can get you her location. Three days? Huh, you can take care of her in a few hours.”
“Does Sergei keep the barrels on the yacht?” I asked.
“Always.”
“Lucy is sharp. She’ll notice I’m up to something.”
“Use your charm.”
I chuckled darkly. “What charm?”
“The madame likes you. You can charm her before you put a bullet between her eyes,” Kolya said.
But I wasn’t going to do this to Lucy. There could be no bratva agenda on this trip. Still, I couldn’t help saying, “I’m sure she’ll fit nicely into the barrel. I could dump her in the ocean.”
“See.”
“It’s crazy how I like your crazy.”
