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CHAPTER 7

MIKHAIL

Her big brown eyes match her mother’s as she stares at me, clinging to Zoya’s side.

I can see my father in her nose and jaw.

Galena reminds me of Lara, showing that Volkov spunk.

“She might be less intimidated if you took that mask off, Mikhail.” Zoya pats Galena’s head, smoothing her dark hair.

“Believe me, it’s best I keep it on.” Ever since the fight with Ivan those years ago, the scars on my face are too unsettling to show.

It’s just been easier to keep them covered than constantly see the unnerved reaction of anyone who sees them.

“I remember you being handsome.” Zoya gives me a wide smile. “You were my hero, and have been since.”

My teeth grit. “I’m a villain, remember that. I’m only rescuing this girl to try and get Ivan out of his hole.”

“Are you really my brother?” Galena says from behind Zoya’s leg. “But you’re a bad guy?”

I squat so I’m level with her. “I am your brother. And you’ll want to learn early that things aren’t black and white. Sometimes the worst men can do the most good.”

It’s always been hard for me to talk to kids, even those that are my own flesh and blood.

Nikolai’s daughter has always seen past the mask, accepting that it’s just a part of who I am.

But my littlest sister doesn’t know me.

She’d be wise to stay as far away from our family as possible, it’s safer.

Except she pulls away from Zoya and steps closer to me, her small face moving within inches of mine. Her tiny hands rest on my knees as she peers into my eyes.

“I think you’re nicer than you pretend to be.” Her cheeks widen in a grin. “I’ve always wanted a brother. Now I know that Wilhem won’t mess with me on the playground if you’re there.”

That draws a chuckle out of me. “If I ever see him being mean to you, I’ll make sure he never does it again.”

“Do you, um…” Zoya chews on her lower lip. “Will you come back?”

I shrug as I stand. “Depends on Ivan. This has to end.”

“Well, it would be nice to see you more than once every five years.” Zoya glances down to her daughter. “At least for her sake.”

She’s right. I’ll protect my sister as long as there’s breath in my body.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Hefting my heavy bag over my shoulder, I move outside where the truck Enzo arranged for me sits.

It should be fully decked out with all of the weapons I need to break into Ivan’s compound.

Watching Zoya stand with Galena watching me leave makes a pang of guilt go through my chest.

I should have spent more time getting to know them. There’s a very real chance I may not survive today.

But I’m tired of Ivan always having the upper hand. I need to rescue Anastasia, and once I know she’s safe, I’ll be able to finish him.

There’s a small rocky outcropping just a mile or so from his estate that I know I can hide my rig by. No one will see it parked there, but will be handy for when I’m ready to escape.

I just need to find out where they’re keeping her.

Creeping slowly through the thick woods, I only stop when I hear the crunch of leaves betraying someone else’s presence.

Shit.

This will either be my downfall, or the chance to find out where she is.

I squat low behind the trunk, and wait.

Holding my breath to keep the steam low, I can hear them turn closer.

Perfect.

A dark shadow solidifies into the silhouette of a man with a rifle.

He moves at a steady pace, not pausing nearly as often as he should on patrol.

Amateur.

His mistake is going to cost him.

I take a long inhale, and hold it when he passes. I give him a full stride away before I make my move.

Grabbing him by the back of his jacket, I snatch the strap of his gun, pinning it to his chest, and whip him around so he’s pressed against the tree.

“Fuck,” he gasps.

“That’s right. You are fucked. But you have a choice.” My forearm tightens against the back of his neck. “You can tell me what I want to know, and I make this quick. Or, fight me, and I make sure you die in agony without being able to scream.”

His rapid panting makes a fog form around his head.

“I’ll talk,” he whines as his fingers dig into the bark.

“You’re smarter than you look. Where is the girl that Ivan kidnapped?” I pull out my knife and let the tip trace down his jaw.

His nostrils flare and he shows the whites of his eyes as he looks back wildly. “You mean the brat? I’ll lead you to that little bitch’s quarters myself.”

“What did you do to her?” I growl.

“Are you kidding? You must not know Ivan. He’d fucking kill me worse than anything you can dream up.” A smirk forms on his lips.

He thinks he’s being cute.

My hand on his throat squeezes him silent while I take my blade and push it into the back of his ear, sliding it beneath the skin of his cheek until it imbeds into the tree.

His muffled cry doesn’t make it far.

“Are you done? Do you want me to cut tiny ribbons from your face and hang them like garland on this pine? Tell me you’ll cooperate, or you’ll have a very merry Christmas.” I pull out the blade and keep him quiet until he stops struggling.

He nods against my palm, and I uncover his mouth.

“Now, where is she?” I ask hoarsely. “Or do you want to speak out of both sides of your mouth?”

“He has her in the east wing.” His words are garbled from blood.

I had a feeling that’s where he was keeping her. The same place he kept my mother near the end of her marriage. Someplace close enough that he can keep tabs, but also where she can be locked away.

I don’t give him warning, just tilt the edge of my knife enough I can bury it into his throat.

He doesn’t make a sound as he slumps to the dirt.

Now I just have to work my way to the other end of the compound.

The moon gives off enough light I can make my way silently past the next two guard posts without being seen.

Its glare reflects from the white marbled tiles that accent every window.

But what really catches my eye is the black drain pipe that runs along them to the roof.

I bet if I climbed up there, I could break into that top room, then work my way down. Ivan’s men would never expect me coming from above.

I’m just about to break from the cover of the trees when the very glass I’m aiming for swings out.

What the hell?