Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

LEO

The weeks roll by, and Ty and I have gotten into a rhythm. We take contracts for people that are guilty of a crime but the courts found them innocent, or they're obviously guilty of a crime, but their victims haven't or can't come forward. As I told Ty, we're partners, so I give him half the money I'm paid to get rid of them. He's pleased every time he checks his account. Though he doesn't know that money is for him, not his bakery.

I've talked it over with June, and he's on board with my plan. I've been waiting on plans to clear with my contractors, and they called today to let me know it's a go. Excitement flows through me—a feeling I'm becoming more familiar with when it comes to Ty—as I think about the news I'm going to give him.

I'm also nervous. Ty is the type that likes to work hard for what he has, getting the sense of accomplishment when he reaches his goals.

But we're partners. I keep telling him that, and I mean it in all things, not just us murdering together. He's mine, and I'll give him anything he wants. Including Tessa's.

Ty steps inside our condo, dropping his bag by the door. "Today was my last day. No more work at the law office." It's perfect that today was his last day. The news I want to share can be a career upgrade present of sorts.

He comes over to the couch where I'm lounging, draping himself over me. My hands automatically drop to his ample ass, squeezing gently. "Happy?"

"Very. I trained my replacement, and she's all ready to go. Now I can focus on getting Tessa's up and running. I'll need to work a bunch more jobs to get what I want, but it'll happen. I was looking through some buildings I like, but nothing really spoke to me. Now that I think about it, the building I found you in doesn't speak to me anymore either. You think it's because I found you there or because I found you there?" he asks earnestly. I raise an eyebrow, not getting his meaning. "You know, found out who you were because I went there. Not physically showing up. Though that could have something to do with it."

"Could be," I say with a shrug. "Or it's not the place you're supposed to have Tessa's."

"No?"

"No. You belong to me and with me. So Tessa's belongs at Ray's."

Ty sighs, lying on my chest. "I can't keep baking here and bringing things to Ray's. I need a place where I can bake everything fresh and not run out. I'm sure your customers don't like when they show up and there aren't any more muffins or Danishes. They go perfectly with a nice cup of Ray's coffee. I know because I've had a Danish and muffin with your coffee there, and holy fuck it's phenomenal. Can you get me some of those coffee beans for days I don't go into Ray's? It would be nice to make some at home."

Smiling, I nod, lifting his chin so I can kiss his nose. "Yes, kotenok. But that's not what I mean," I say, bringing the conversation back to what we were talking about. "I meant you belong at Ray's. I talked to June, and he okayed it."

"Okayed what?"

My heart thumps, and my hands start to sweat. I've never felt nerves like this in my life, and I'm not quite sure how to handle it. I know he can feel the rapid beat of my heart under his palms because Ty gives me a questioning look.

Clearing my throat, I sit up so Ty is straddling me. He raises his eyebrow, his curious expression adorable.

"Okayed buying the empty building beside Ray's, knocking the wall down, and renaming the coffee shop Tessa and Ray's Bakery and Beanery."

Ty's eyes grow wide, and his mouth drops open. He stares at me for a solid thirty seconds. Squirming, I jostle him slightly. "Say something."

Shaking his head, Ty drops his head in his hands, and his shoulders heave. Fuck, what did I do? He looked stunned but not like he was hurt. Is he upset I didn't ask him first? Fuck, June told me it might backfire, but he also said it could be fine. Maybe I overestimated fine.

Dropping his hands, Ty wipes at his tear-streaked face. "Leo. You'd do that? For me? Change the name of your coffee shop, the neighborhood staple for me?"

My heart stops thudding against the walls of my chest, and a soft sigh leaves my lips. "Yes, kotenok. I'd do anything for you."

Ty laughs prettily, then brings me in for a kiss. "I'd like that, Leo. Ray's is where I got my start. I'd love to join you and June there."

I lean in to kiss Ty again, but my phone vibrates in my pocket before I can touch my lips to his. With an aggravated growl, I pull it out, ready to tell whoever it is to fuck off, but I stay my hand. The caller ID is blank, which means it can only be one person: Ivan.

He only calls once a month to check in, to make sure I haven't been caught and sent to prison. We've already had our monthly check-in, so I wonder what he could possibly want.

Gripping Ty by the waist, I move him from my lap and hold up a finger, saying, "It's Ivan. He never calls outside of our regular check-ins, so it must be important."

Ty nods, shooing me away as he wipes tears from his cheeks. "Go. I'll be here when you get back so we can talk about Tessa and Ray's." His grin is fucking gorgeous. I can't resist bending to steal a kiss before I go back to my office. I don't need privacy, but I'll be speaking in Russian, and I don't want Ty to feel like I'm saying something secretive about him.

Once the door is shut, I answer the phone. "Ded."

Instead of greeting me in Russian, he speaks in strongly accented English that's as familiar to me as breathing. "Leo. I need help. There is job, and I need extra hand."

I raise an eyebrow. Ivan never asks for assistance. When he brought me in when he was training me, it was for the experience, not because he required my presence. "Details."

"Two target that need gone at same time, so they don't run. Extra hand necessary because I cannot be in two places at once. Understand?"

"Understand, Ded. When and where?"

"Three days. London. Can you hop flight?"

"I can." I smile, stuffing a hand in the pocket of my sweat pants. "Your English is getting better."

The pride is evident in his voice. He may be a psychopath, but he's a sucker for compliments. "Practice has been working. Russian is still superior language."

I chuckle, shaking my head. It's an argument we've had plenty of times. I taught him some English when I moved to Russia, just as he taught me Russian. Most of our conversations were held in Russian because Ded said English hurt his ears.

A thought pops in my head, and I rush to ask, "Can I bring someone?"

"You have friend?"

"I have a boyfriend, Ded. And he works with me. I'd like to show him what an organized job with you looks like."

Ivan is silent, probably absorbing what I said. In Russia, traditional values are what they live by. And Ivan is old. He grew up in the era where being gay was against the law, then it was decriminalized, then harsher treatment was placed back on the community. I didn't care one way or the other, since I planned to leave Russia at eighteen and because I wasn't dating when I lived there, men or otherwise.

Surprisingly, Ivan hums. "Bring boyfriend if you are training him. I want to see what he knows. Three days. I will send you information on hotel." With that, Ivan hangs up.

I'm not sure what his easy acquiescence means, but whatever. Ivan doesn't have to agree with who I'm with, he just needs to keep any biased opinions to himself. I would hate to have to fuck my grandfather up for saying some slick shit and hurting Ty's feelings.

Ty is right where I left him, except he's taken off his dress shirt and slacks, lying on the couch in his undershirt and briefs, watching something on YouTube. "Everything okay?"

"It's great. By chance, do you have a passport?"

"Yep. Sam and I went to the Canada side of Niagara Falls right after my mom died so I could get my mind off things. It's still current for a few more years."

"What do you say about going to London?"

"Uh, fuck yes." He sits up quickly, excitement brimming in his eyes. "When?"

"A few days. My grandfather needs help with a job and asked me to come."

Ty deflates a little. "Your grandfather? You want me to meet your grandfather? Is he okay with that?"

"He's fine with it. I told him about you already. Besides, he doesn't get to clear who I bring with me on a job. He needs me, not the other way around."

He perks back up, getting to his feet and wrapping his arms around me. "I've never been to London. Are we only going to kill someone or can we go sightseeing?"

"Whatever you want, kotenok."

"You always call me that. What does it mean?"

A smile crops up on my face. "Kitten."

Ty rolls his eyes but smiles too. "You're the worst. But I like it."

I peck him lightly on the lips, then slap his ass. He yelps, moving his hand down to his sore cheek.

"Get packed. We're not leaving for another few days, but I don't want you to forget anything."

With a happy squeal, Ty gives me a quick kiss and hurries to our room to prepare for our first vacation together.

Our flight touches down at London Heathrow Airport three days later close to nine in the morning. We took an early flight with a one long-ass layover so we could be here in enough time to take a quick nap and do some sightseeing. I don't really give a shit about any of that but Ty is really excited about it.

He's bouncing in his seat, looking out the window as if he can see some of the sights from the airplane. "This is so exciting," he says with a grin, eyes flashing as he looks at me. "I've always wanted to visit London."

"We have a day to be tourists." Tomorrow is the day we take the couple out. Ivan got their schedule down pat, knowing where they'll be at any given time.

Our job is to dispatch a couple, another hitman team. They decided they didn't want to be in the life anymore. In itself, that's fine, no one can make anyone stay longer than they'd like. We're freelancers, after all. But before they got out for good, the couple tried to leak information to shut down their handler for reasons unknown. It's not like in the movies where if we leave the life, we have a bounty on our head. If we want to leave, if we have a handler, they'll find someone new that can take our spot and the contracts.

The information they released was intercepted—not sure how—and the handler hired us to get rid of their old employees. Their handler went underground, and word got out he'd taken his own life rather than giving himself up to the police. In truth, he'd hidden, spreading false information until the couple was comfortable they'd tied up their last loose end so they could live out their lives. He'd hired Ivan to take them out but only after he'd disappeared for over a year.

This kill took some planning. Over the past few days, Ivan and I have been exchanging messages to figure out how to execute this flawlessly. Our targets may look like oblivious people as they walk around the city, but they're scanning around all the time. Ivan has been doing the surveillance on them for a few weeks to try to find a weak spot. Our plan came together late last night.

From what Ivan could gather, they moved to London because of the abundance of CCTV cameras, hoping it would stop anyone from wanting to retaliate for their snitching. Ivan is great at what he does, finding a way out of any puzzle or situation.

Another precaution the couple has taken is spending their days apart, thinking if one were killed, the other would have time to flee. I'm sure they planned to keep that up until they were sure their handler was dead and didn't send anyone after them.

For this kill, I get to use a long-ranged rifle, one I haven't used in almost a year. I like the up-close-and-personal kills, but there's something calming about sitting in one spot to make sure I'm locked in on my target.

The plane doors open, and I grab Ty's hand, leading him through the busy airport. He looks around, his head on a swivel as he takes everything in. I hate waiting at baggage claim, so Ty and I packed everything we'll need in a carry-on bag. Anything we forgot, we can buy here.

When we step outside, Ivan is standing in front of a taxi, looking the same as he did the last time I saw him. Like me, he's tall and built wide, his shoulders stretching his shirt impressively. His hair and eyes are dark, with a hooked nose and thin lips.

As we approach, I notice he looks a little thinner and tired. It's to be expected—Ivan has been at it since before I was born, and he's over seventy. It's about time he gets some rest. Not many of us retire. Ivan is the best in the business. He can hang up his blades if he wanted. He probably relishes killing too much to stop though.

"Ded," I mutter, halting in front of him.

"Nieto. Your flight. It was good, yes?"

I shrug. "Fine." Grabbing Ty's hand, I pull him closer to my side. "This is Ty. My boyfriend."

Ivan's eyes trace down Ty's body, and I start to push him behind me in case Ivan does or says something stupid, but Ivan smiles, holding out his hand. I'm not sure I successfully hide my surprise. Ded doesn't smile. It's like the mechanics of his face don't work and that function isn't programmed in him. I think I've seen Ivan smile once, and it was after he killed some guy that cheated at cards in a pub he was playing at. "I do not like cheaters," he told me in vehement Russian as he wiped a blade on the man's pants. "Now he knows that too."

Ty reaches out a shaky hand, clasping Ivan's. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure is all mine," Ivan says, tilting his head to the side. "Your eyes. Different color. Very uncommon."

Ty nods, and I can tell he's trying to keep the irritation off his face. I know he's tired of hearing it, but Ty is too polite to tell Ivan that. "Yep. I ate my twin in the womb." When Ivan just stares blankly at him, Ty blushes, shaking his head. "Sorry, that was a joke. A bad one, obviously. My cousin used to tell me that when I was younger when I wondered why my eyes were different colors and not like everyone else's. I didn't have a twin in the womb. Not as far as I know anyway." Ty pulls in a deep breath and starts to speak again, then folds his lips in. He looks at me with wide eyes like he thinks he's embarrassed himself. I give his hand a squeeze, letting him know everything is okay.

Ded doesn't even flinch at Ty's ramblings. With a small smirk, he nods to the taxi. "Come. We get to hotel, and we talk where no ears can hear."

I open the taxi door for Ty to slide in and get in behind him. Ivan sits in the front seat, telling the cabbie where to take us.

Once we're checked in at the hotel and in our room, Ty takes off his shoes and climbs to the top of the bed, and Ivan sits in the armchair beside the window. I perch at the end of the bed, waiting for him to speak.

His position and demeanor reminds me of when I was a kid. There was never any rushing Ivan—he spoke when he was ready.

I pull off my shoes and slide them under the bed, then put my elbows on my knees, waiting. A hacking cough racks Ivan's body, and his frame vibrates with the force of it. I sit up, raising an eyebrow. Alarm bells sound in my head, but I'm not sure what they mean. Ivan always told me to trust my instincts, but I'm not sure which ones I should be trusting right now. He waves me off, plucking a tissue from the box on the desk and wiping his mouth.

Finally, Ivan turns to me. "Tomorrow afternoon, one o'clock. The woman will be at eatery. She go to eatery once a week. She may be earlier, may be later. She does not go before one in afternoon. I have you set up on roof. You be ready, right?"

"We'll be ready. Where will you be?"

"Across the city. Her husband eat somewhere else. They communicate by phone during lunch."

I nod. "Okay. What do we do after it's done?"

Ivan shrugs. "I have flight back home. You are free to do what you want."

"How is home?"

"Cold." He coughs again to emphasize his point. This cough wasn't as bad as the first, but it still looks like it's causing him pain.

"You should move to the States. You'd enjoy the warm weather of Florida. That's where retirees go."

Ivan waves a hand. "Pagh. Retired. I not retired yet. Still have kills to do."

I hum. There's no use trying to get Ivan to think about hanging it up. Like me and Blu, he loves the kill. He would probably go out with a gun or knife in his hand, seeing it as a life well lived.

"But you're sick. You should probably live somewhere with better weather."

He shakes his head. "Just travel cold. I been here for two week. Different weather than Russia. No doubt it will be better when I go home."

Ivan looks past me at Ty, who has his legs pulled up to his chest and a small smile on his lips as he listens to us. He asks, "You are partner? How did that happen?"

Ty looks at me, and I nod, indicating he can fill Ivan in on how he found out what I really am. After he's done, Ivan nods emphatically. "That is not ideal, but what can you do? You like it, taking life?"

"I wouldn't say I like it," Ty says, resting his chin on his knee, "but I like knowing someone that hurt or killed someone is no longer on the street."

"Vigilante killer. Not bad."

"What about you?" Ty asks, and I see the surprise on Ivan's face. Like me, no one ever asks questions of us. We're used to keeping all of our secrets close to the vest, not letting anyone in. But Ty is different. He knows what we are, and he's not afraid. He's not like us, but he accepts us.

"What you like to know, kolibri?"

A growl crops up at Ivan giving Ty a pet name, but Ty doesn't seem to notice. Probably because I've been calling him kotenok for months now.

"How did you get started? Who taught you?"

Again, Ivan smiles, and I think he likes Ty. He seems relaxed, speaking freely about something I'm sure he's only told me. "I am self-taught. Forgive me, kolibri. My English not so good. Patience, yes?"

"Of course."

"I teach myself. I had to learn so I would not go to …" Ivan pause, looking up to think of the word he wants. "prison." He finally finishes. "Death penalty. But before that, hard labor. I am not …" Ivan pauses, tapping the side of his head. "Sound…here."

Ty's face softens, and he leans his head on my shoulder. "You're like Leo."

"Yes. That is why me and him work good together." Ivan gives me a long, searching look, but before I can question it, he glances back at Ty, perking up more than I've seen him in years. "Tell me, kolibri. Have you used butterfly knife?"

Ty's eyes brighten. "No. You have one?"

"Always. It is my go-to. Want to learn?"

"Fuck yes."

For the next hour, Ivan teaches Ty how to open a butterfly knife and how to use it on someone. My hands aren't as dexterous as Ivan's so I can't flick it open as he does. Ty doesn't have that problem. Probably because he's a baker and needs deft hands. He snaps it open with ease after a few tries and has the strikes Ivan taught him learned in no time.

The look of pride Ivan reserved for me when I got something right is aimed at Ty, and my belly does that swooping it did when I figured out I was in love with him. I don't know what it means in this context, but I'm not going to worry about it.

"Good. You can keep that one. I have others," Ivan says, sitting down heavily in the chair. He looks exhausted. There are dark circles under his eyes, and his cheeks look gaunt.

"You okay, Ded?"

He stares at me for a few moments, and I start to think he won't answer. "I am perfect. What is word you use for tired from flight?"

"Jet lagged," Ty supplies.

"Yes. I am jet lag."

I don't exactly buy that since Ivan has been here for two weeks, and like me, he rarely sleeps longer than four hours. But there's no way I can refute it. I raise an eyebrow at him, but Ivan waves me off.

Ty slides the knife in his pocket and sits beside me. "We're going to take a quick nap, then go see some sights. You should join us, Ivan."

"I am not tourist, kolibri."

"Please?" Ty bats his eyes innocently at my grandfather, and I watch Ivan give in in real time. Looks like I'm not the only one enchanted by Ty. Even a hardened Russian psychopath doesn't stand a chance.

"Only a few hours. I am old man. I need sleep." Again, I give him a dry look. Ivan doesn't need sleep. Something in the back of my mind is saying Ivan isn't telling me everything. We're not exactly the sharing type, but we usually don't have to talk—we just know things. But for some reason, I can't figure out what Ivan isn't telling me.

Ty smiles, resting his head on my shoulder. "London Eye first?"

Looking down at him with a happy grin on my face, I nod. "London Eye first."

"Knock on door when you ready." Ivan goes to his room, leaving me with a tired, but excited Ty.

"I like your grandfather. Really stern, but I like him."

Yeah, he's something. "That's good, kotenok. Let's take a nap. We'll have a long day ahead of us if you want to visit every attraction." We plan to leave the morning after the hit, not wanting to linger around for risk of getting caught.

We strip down to our underwear, and we're out like a light before either of us can say anything else.

My phone alarm wakes us two hours later, and Ty eagerly bounds into the bathroom to get changed.