Page 3

CHARLOTTE

T he rhythmic thud of my fists against the heavy bag fills the air as I unleash punches. My arms burn until spots dance before my eyes.

This is my escape.

The violence flows through my veins. I let out a scream as I swing back my leg and propel it onto the leather.

Every punch. Every kick. I release some of the pain inside me.

Today more than most. The five-year anniversary of my mom’s death.

The day I watched the life drain from her.

The last day I was ever Charlotte.

Now, I am Vlad’s property. His spy. His assassin.

The first month I was here, I was locked away in a basement. Just after our ‘wedding’, Drago found me. That moment marked the change in my role here. That is how I became an important player in Vlad’s operation. Drago saw my skill and he forged a deal to let me use it.

But I had to stay a secret from the outside world. Even Tatiana. The woman who rules this family has no idea I exist.

Today also marks one thousand, eight hundred, and twenty-five days of plotting his demise.

I’ve learned a lot, I’ve listened and crept through the house looking for my perfect escape plan.

Nothing has fit into place that wouldn’t risk my father’s life.

That’s even if he is still living. I draw in a deep breath. He is alive, Drago told me so. I trust him.

Mocking slow clap cuts through the silence as I press my head against the bag, gasping for air. The fabric smells faintly of sweat and dust.

Relief washes over me as Drago’s deep Russian accent fills the gym.

“I see your shoulder has healed nicely.”

With a grunt, I push myself upright, wiping the sweat from my forehead, my muscles aching, and turn to face him.

“Wanna fight?” I ask, putting up my fists.

He grins, a flash of white teeth against his tanned face, as he closes the distance.

He slides his tattooed hands down the front of his navy suit jacket.

He’s a beast of a man. Ripped, dangerous, and a master of the martial arts.

That’s how our friendship blossomed. He took me under his wing to train me to become a force to be reckoned with.

Yet, by day, he chooses other business activities. Boring ones that required tailored suits and acquisitions.

“I don’t have time. Busy schedule.”

I huff and roll my eyes.

“Sounds utterly dull, Drago. You should come on a job with me.” I grin, rubbing my hands together.

I’ve been trying to get rid of Misha as my outside handler for months.

He’s an asshole. A fucking sex pest and someone I want to add to my tattoo collection one day.

Drago chuckles a low rumble in his chest as he approaches, slamming his fist hard into the punchbag making a satisfying thud.

“Impressive for a business boy,” I tease.

He holds it still, his light green eyes bore into me.

Great. That means there’s news.

“I take it I have a job?” I tilt my head.

That brief rush runs through me. I get to leave this mansion. Even if it’s temporary, it’s something.

Away from my husband.

Even if it means the greasy-haired Misha is breathing down my neck.

I shudder.

“You do. You might enjoy this one.” He grins, running a hand through his dark blond hair.

“Why? There’s an escape plan?”

He glares at me.

“Patience, Charlotte. There are lots of pieces at play here. You and your father are alive. Outside, you won’t be.”

I sigh. I know damn well that’s the case. I live every day with this carrot dangled in front of me.

In an ideal world, I run and get a new identity and save my dad.

But I’m too valuable to Vlad. Especially now that I’ve been trained to kill.

There isn’t anyone else in his force that has the wits and the skills, unfortunately for me.

“I’m alive, but I’m not safe here.”

I look down at my bare feet on the mat. Vlad is clever. He doesn’t leave physical marks often. No, those scars are inside.

He’s my tormentor.

And one day, when the time is right, he will suffer.

What I’ve learned so far is that the Kovalyov family is powerful. Especially under Tatiana’s reign. Although, there is another family, the Volkov’s, who seem to cause issues.

Drago is right. On my own, I would not survive. I would be dragged back here, my father would be killed, and my life would be worse than what I have to endure now.

For now, my freedom is in these jobs.

If that was taken away, I would have nothing.

“I know, Drago. But how long? I’ve been here for five years. I can’t do another five.”

His face softens.

“You can because you’re a warrior, Charlotte.”

“One day, you’re going to have to tell me why you want to help me.”

He smirks, holding the bag in place, and nods at me to go.

So I do. I let out a barrage of punches. Quick and sharp.

“Like I said. Lots of pieces in this chess game, Charlotte. Just be thankful I am on your side.”

“Fine. What’s the job then?”

“Italy. A five day trip. We’re tracking a guy, one who doesn’t want to be found.”

Ruffling my hair through my fingers, I straighten my spine.

“So extract and bring to Russia?”

Drago’s eyes go wide and he shakes his head.

“He is not our mark. Do not even let him know you’re there. This is one chess piece we do not fucking touch.”

I groan.

“But that’s my fun. Have I been demoted to tail work?” I frown. I haven’t stepped a foot out of line.

“No. You’ll have your fun. You will stay in the shadows and identify the person he is meeting. And then, that person is the one you take. We have a unit set up. You take him there, you find out what the meet was about and why. Anything you can get on the purpose of their relationship.”

I tap my finger against my lips.

“Still sounds boring, Drago.”

He chuckles and shakes his head.

“Once you have the information. You kill him.”

I smile brightly at him and run my palm along the ink on my forearm. An array of beautiful flowers on branches wrapped around my skin.

His vision follows my hand.

“Yes. So another tattoo is required. What flower this time?” He nods at the ink.

I raise my shoulders in a nonchalant gesture.

“Depends on the personality and type of kill. I like them to have meaning.”

He raises an eyebrow. I have lots of fun hobbies. Because of boredom and keeping my brain busy to forget the hell I live in.

Tattooing is a hobby that stuck.

Each kill is rewarded by a flower. A representation of the lives I’ve taken and made into something beautiful.

And a reminder of the monster I’ve become. But killing these men takes some of my pain away.

“Okay, so follow, extract, interrogate, and kill. Easy. I take it I have the asshole, Misha, with me?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Unless you kill him, which will raise many questions I may not be able to cover up, you’re stuck with him.”

I pout my lips in annoyance.

“Don’t give me ideas, Drago.”

He pulls up his sleeve and checks his Rolex.

“One day, he will get what’s coming to him, voitelnitsa, warrior . Just don’t let it be you who lands the blow.”

He straightens his tie and gives me a nod.

“Don’t overwork that shoulder. Italy is an unpredictable place. You can’t have a weakness.”

Instinctively, I rub the area. It was only a small wound needing a couple of stitches.

“Is Vlad returning before I leave?”

I hold my breath, hoping the next word to leave his mouth is no.

He chews the inside of his mouth and my heart sinks.

“He will be back in a few hours, according to Emil.”

I have kept my distance from the family. Vlad and his brother, Emil, are evil. Not that I have gathered any information on him. Only that he has a son.

“I’ll check in as usual throughout the trip.” He pulls out a cell from his pocket and holds it out in his palm.

“You’ll have a day or two. Use it to relax. Be Charlotte for a day?” He offers me a sad smile.

“I don’t know who she is anymore, Drago.”

His hand clasps down on my good shoulder.

“She’s in your heart. She’s there. You’re fighting to keep her there until it’s safe again. Never lose your spark. It’s keeping you, your dad, and probably me alive at this point.”

My breath hitches.

“He’s fine, Charlotte. Vlad may be evil, but he keeps his word so long as you keep this up.”

With that, he releases his grip and I clutch the phone in my hand.

“I’ll see you on the other side.” I grin before adding, “Maybe.”

The constant threat of me running away keeps him on his toes.

It also helps me assess his reactions. If he’s hiding anything from me, I’ll read it in his eyes.

“You are many things, Charlotte. But running away in fear is not who you are.” His fist hits his enormous chest.

“Only teasing.” I stick my tongue out and hear his laugh as he walks down the hall. I turn to look into the floor-to-ceiling mirror and stare into my dark blue eyes.

Charlotte is in there somewhere.

I pull my hair over my shoulders, letting it cascade down my front, stopping just over my breasts.

A smile twitches at my lips as the sun beats on the deep purple strands scattered through the ends.

The first color I’ve actually stuck with.

Maybe I can fit in one more round in the gym before Vlad’s home to ruin my day.