Page 19 of Broken

Liam

Valentin had done just as I had asked him to. He had found me my little thief and I was giddy with excitement of what was to come. When he had handed me the paper he had stated, "You have that look in your eye."

"What look?" I'd asked.

"You are up to something. Let me save us both some trouble and let me chop her hands off for stealing from the Bratva," he stated, eyes dark at the prospect of violence.

"No," I'd hissed. "What I have planned is far better than removing her body parts."

Val had held up his hand. He wished to know nothing further and left me alone to contemplate what I would do with this newfound information. The scrap of paper with Valentine's neat handwriting revealed where she was living and even what her name was: Nova Hemmens.

"Little Thief," I'd whispered to no one in particular. "I told you I would find you."

The very next day, I had awoken early and skipped out on having my chef cook breakfast as I usually did. Instead, I'd gotten a plain bagel and a bottle of water to eat on my excursion. Going to the garage of my house, I'd decided to take out my black BMW beamer. It was less flashy and more basic and would blend in much easier than if I'd taken out one of the many Porsches I owned in every color. No, the BMW would do very nicely.

I sat across the street from the pay by the day motel for hours. Nothing seemed to stir, just cars passing and that was about it. Not being able to wait another second, I made my way across the street and into the building. The only one on duty was a fat, balding man but instantly I recognized his features as Russian.

"Comrade," I spoke upon entering.

We chatted for a few moments in Russian before I dropped my name. The look of fear that crossed his face made the blood in my veins dance. The way some people loved bacon, I loved watching fear cross someone's features at the mention of my name.

"What can I do for you," Gregory asked.

"I'm so happy that you want to cooperate," I smiled.

While I loved fear, I was not a dumb man. Reaching for my wallet, I saw Gregory flinch but relax when I pulled out some money. I held up a crisp hundred-dollar bill.

"Gregory, what can you tell me about Nova Hemmens," I smiled.

He instantly reached for the money. Greedy little man.

"She stays here, maybe six months or longer. She tells me she plans to leave soon." His accent reminds me of my father's and my uncle.

"What else Gregory, what else about Nova can you tell me," I ask.

He hesitated, but money is the root of all evil. It will get you to talk, it will make you turn on your best friend. "She spends a lot of time at the diner next door. Don't know what she do for much work but she pay on time. And she takes care of her kids. They are good people."

I smirk and hand him the money.

"Gregory, I'll be back." I shoot him a smile.

He simply nods and stuffs the money in his pocket.

"We never had this conversation, Gregory."

I leave out and return to my car. Valentin hadn't told me about her kids. Honestly, I hadn't expected her to be a mother. Her body looked rip and fit as though it hadn't yet bore any children. Never the less, I would find a way to use this knowledge to my advantage.

I always found a way.

It was around eleven when she made her first appearance of the day, dressed in a hoodie and jeans. The wind was whipping up outside and leaves fluttered by her. I controlled the urge to get out of the car and abduct her right then and now. I refrained and fought for control over that part of my brain.

"Play the game, Liam," I reminded myself.

Already I had turned to steel in my pants and she had only crossed the road to go to the bus stop. I watched her board, pulling her hood up before stepping onto the bus that had hissed and creaked its way to stop.

Eventually, after three stops, Nova exited none the wiser to my presence. She looked deep in thought as I slowly passed by to park in the lot of the apartment complex we were in.

"Little Thief, who lives here, " I wondered out loud.