Chapter 28

"Do you believe a man can truly love a woman and constantly betray her? Never mind physically but betray her in his mind, in the very poetry of his soul. Well, it's not easy but men do it all the time."

—Mario Puzo

Penny

Betrayal.

I'd been so used to the thought remaining in the forefront of my mind that I'd assumed I'd never truly allow myself to feel love again. After what I'd been through, how could I?

Yet here I was, sitting at the kitchen table, unable to focus on anything, including the glass of wine in front of me, but the very notion.

Was it possible to love a man like Kraven?

I continued to think about the secret he'd divulged, the reason for at least one of the demons trying to claim his soul. At least he'd been honest with me. Sighing, a dull ache had formed behind my eyes.

It was late, after midnight and Remington was fast asleep at my feet. I'd tried to lie down, but all I could think about was Kraven's odd behavior that afternoon. Neither one of us had said much to each other after the passion we shared in the pool.

He'd spent time making calls.

I'd spent time wringing my hands.

Now I sat with my phone in front of me, barely able to think clearly. How could I at this point? Either I was missing something, or he'd chosen not to tell me certain truths. Either way, he'd gravitated back toward the notion I'd betrayed him.

How could he? It was ridiculous, especially given all the emotions we'd shared, including those I'd seen in his eyes.

Exhaling, I took a sip of my wine, trying to rid my mind of the wretched thoughts. I had no idea what time the man would be home, but I had a feeling when he arrived, I wouldn't like what he had to say to me.

Why not trust me?

What had changed?

My thoughts drifted to what little I'd heard, the questions he'd asked.

With nothing else to do, I shifted my attention back to my phone. Maybe it was time to learn more about the man. At this point anything might help. Hell, maybe I could find some crazy clue that might help him and in turn, keep me alive.

Was I really thinking he would kill me? It sounded crazy but at this point, I simply wasn't certain what to expect or think.

I remained mostly in the dark, the strange blue lights that seemed to be everywhere at night adding an eerie feel. As I scrolled, I wasn't surprised there'd been dozens of articles written on the man, notations in everything from the local Sin City magazine to Fortune. Every picture I found was classical and more handsome than the one before.

My God. He had been like a celebrity over the years, appearing at grand openings of resorts and restaurants, and some of the bigger named residency shows at all the major hotels. By his side seemed to be one woman or another, although I didn't notice any of them more than once.

Maybe it was true in that spice was the variety of life.

I wanted to smile but there was a hint of jealousy in my system, a moment that was a tough pill to swallow. I really had fallen for the man and his powerful ways, his need for control. Maybe the scared little girl inside had fallen into a trap of allowing his dominating powers to feel comforting, as if he could keep me safe.

Right.

I doubted that was possible. There were far too many demons, including the gorgeous man with the perfect body.

My skin tingled at the thought, but I did what I could to shove it aside.

"Whoa." A picture caught my eye, and it was from a few months before. I did what I could to zoom in, trying to figure where I'd seen the woman before.

After a few seconds, I shifted to another group of pictures taken less than three weeks after. There she was again. The only woman who'd been in more than one photograph. At least on the bottom of the one it appeared her name had been used.

I struggled to make it large enough to see. Veronica Diamond? Who the hell had a name like that? Well, okay, so my last name was Valentine. Where the hell had I seen her? Wait a minute. She had been at the Morellis' club arm and arm with some guy but that wasn't why seeing her photograph bothered me. I was certain of it.

After closing my eyes for a few minutes, it came to me where I'd seen her.

"Shit."

"Are you okay?"

I jumped from hearing Vissarian's voice. "I'm not sure. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure. What's wrong?" He walked closer, a frown on his face.

"Do you recognize this woman?" I turned the phone around, holding my breath.

"Yeah, I know her. That's Veronica."

He did know her. A series of red flags raised in my mind. "Was she special to Kraven?"

"Ah, no," he said, half laughing. "In my opinion she was a gold digger and I told him that more than once. Honestly, there's been one woman other than you he's shown any interest in."

"The girl he brought here. Katarina." Why did it bother me so much that I'd seen Veronica in Margaritaville? Maybe because of the way he was looking at her.

"He told you about her," Vissarian huffed.

I nodded.

"Katarina's death nearly destroyed him after our parents died."

"She was killed by someone in Moscow." I could tell he continued to be surprised his brother had opened up.

"Yes, she was killed by one of our father's enemies, or so he told me. It's one of the reasons I have no desire to embrace my Russian heritage. Now, you have me curious. Why did you ask about Veronica?"

No wonder the man was haunted. "She was at the restaurant the other day where we were having lunch. I could swear she followed us there. It might sound crazy, but I don't think she was there to spread happiness, if you know what I mean."

"Did you tell Kraven this?" He narrowed his eyes, more than a hint of concern crossing his face.

"No, but something happened today and he was acting odd so I was trying to figure out what it could be."

"Tell me what you saw, Penny. All of it. And what Kraven said."

"That someone betrayed him, but I sensed he wasn't certain who or exactly how. The woman was in the restaurant watching us intently. And I honestly know she was at the park as well. We went to one of the dog parks with Remington. She just appeared from the shadows. He didn't see her. I'm certain of that."

Vissarian took a deep breath. "That's not good. Just hold on. Let me make a call." He grabbed his phone from his jeans pocket. I could see the iPhone screen lit up.

I was sick inside, my legs wobbly when I stood.

It took less than five seconds before he spun around to me. "Fuck. Try to make a call from your phone."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

I pulled up the screen for dialing and nothing happened. Nothing at all. I pulled the phone away, realizing there were no bars. "No internet?"

"I don't know but I don't like it. Stay right here. I'll be back." He flew out of the kitchen before I could ask him any questions.

I couldn't handle the darkness any longer, my nerves frayed. I turned on a couple of lights, trying to fill the space with light. Without thinking, I did the same by taking long strides into the living room, flicking on a table lamp, then another. I was fidgety, moving to the front window to peer out at the night sky.

While I wasn't certain where Vissarian had gone, I had sensed he was more concerned than I'd been. Who the hell was Veronica and why did I have a very bad feeling she was a catalyst to Kraven's concerns?

Because I knew what women were capable of.

I rubbed my arms as I glanced out the window, trying to take comfort in the sight of the beautiful stars. Suddenly, a series of flashes caught my attention. "What the hell?"

"What are you seeing?"

I was able to notice Vissarian's reflection from behind me in the glass. Oh, my God. He was holding a weapon. "I don't know. Blips of light. Lots of them. It's like…" Gunfire.

"Get away from the window, Penny. Do it now!"

I didn't have a chance to respond before he lunged in front of me, tackling me to the floor just as I heard a horrible thudding sound then men screaming in Spanish, footsteps everywhere.

And gunfire.

Pop! Pop!

Ten minutes earlier

Kraven

"Fuck. Fuck!" I slammed my hand on the steering wheel as I rolled down the street. "Try them again." I'd tasked him with contacting the soldiers at the house, warning them to lock down the estate even more. Misha. Even in his hospital bed the man had insisted on trying to protect me. What the hell was wrong with me? I should have listened to my woman.

Yes, my woman.

"I can't fucking reach anyone including Vissarian. I think the internet is down. No rings. No voicemail." Konstantin was as anxious as I was.

"I don't buy it. Someone hacked the security system. Goddamn it. God fucking damn it." I pressed down the accelerator, now going almost ninety miles an hour heading to the final turn off. My heart was in my throat, my rage uncontrollable at this point.

"We'll get there," my counselor said from beside me. He made another call to the soldiers in the SUVs behind us. "Be prepared for an all-out battle." He slipped his phone into his pocket. "You think she was working with Emiliano?"

"Yeah, that's exactly what I think. How the fuck had I not known that bitch had been playing me?"

"Because you thought of Veronica as arm candy and nothing else. At least you know Misha had nothing to do with betraying you. He was doing everything in his power to protect you."

Yeah, and coming to warn me had almost cost the man his life.

Twice now he'd been there for me and what I had done? I'd accused him of being a traitor. While all the man had been able to do was send me a disjointed text given the condition he was in, he'd also been the one to try to call.

The fact Veronica had been inside the club that night I'd accosted Breck wasn't a coincidence. Neither were the phone calls she'd made from the Morellis' place. She'd worked there once upon a time, long before we'd gotten together for four weeks of a fling. Or so that's all I'd thought it had been.

Everything was still spiraling out of control but at least I knew while this Death Squad might have it in for several crime syndicate leaders, it would appear the attempt on my life had far more to do with revenge.

That I could handle.

Unless the man fucked with the woman I was falling in love with. Then I would become a savage assassin, ridding the world of shitheads like Emiliano. Two fewer enemies would suit me just fine.

As soon as I closed in on the gate, my gut told me something was terribly wrong. It was open and… The headlights told no lies. Bodies of my men were strewn across the entrance.

"Oh, fuck," Konstantin hissed. "We're under attack."

I jerked the car to a halt and all ten of us raced from the vehicles.

"I'll contact our other soldiers," Konstantin snapped.

"By then it'll be too late. You four," I pointed. "Go around to the back of the house. Keep the element of surprise until you hear gunfire. We're going straight in the front door."

"We need to be careful," Konstantin warned.

"The time for being careful is over." I was furious I'd allowed this to go on as long as I had.

We raced up the driveway, careful to avoid the cameras that would set the motion lights off. Not that it mattered at this point. They were waiting for us. I could feel it. A goddamn ambush.

It was another moment to prove my instincts correct, the sound of gunfire popping from a short distance away.

"Go. Go. Go!" I hissed, picking up speed as I raced for the house. Never before had I felt so helpless, other than when Katarina had been killed.

All because of an enemy my father had angered because he'd left Russia and his comrades behind.

When we were finally near the house, Konstantin tried to push me against the exterior wall, but I wasn't playing games nor was I going to allow any additional time where my ideal'naya penni would be in harm's way. I'd promised to protect her. Instead, I'd called her a traitor.

I was batting zero for the day.

Hell, maybe for the year.

The he-man inside of me was going to kick open the door. The intelligent man inside of me said to try the handle. I should have known it would be unlocked. While I couldn't see anything through the single crack I'd created, when I pushed the thick steel open only a few inches further, I heard a muffled scream.

Then a single bark.

The time for hesitation or caution was over. I kicked in the door, rushing into the room with my soldiers behind.

Pop! Pop!

The bullet hit me hard in the arm from close enough range I was pummeled backward, the pain blinding but not enough to avoid seeing exactly what I was fearful of. As I noticed Vissarian leaping off the floor toward Penny, the weapon I'd given him flashed in the light. She was pitched to the floor, but not before the sound of gunfire came from every direction.

I dropped and rolled, firing off several shots, hitting at least two of the enemy soldiers.

Penny's scream was cut short, but her cry for Remington as he barked and tried to come to her rescue dragged my heart into hell.

I jerked to my feet, rushing forward, trying to get to my brother and the woman I adored, but within seconds, we were surrounded by at least six more soldiers, both Vissarian and Penny jerked to their feet, a chokehold placed around both their necks.

The moment one of the brutal soldiers kicked Remington in the stomach, sending him flying across the room, I put three bullets in his face, ready to take on every enemy in the room.

"No!" she screamed. "I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you!"

But as more of them rushed inside, several pointing assault rifles at us, it was evident we'd been outnumbered.

"I wouldn't try anything if I were you, Mr. Sokolov. And Miss Valentine, I'd hate to blow off that pretty head of yours."

The voice was one I'd heard on propaganda YouTube videos, the bastard attempting to poach additional soldiers from his South American enemies.

"Emiliano Cabrera. I think we can dispense with formalities, don't you?"

He laughed in a deep, throaty voice as he came out of the kitchen all the way. I almost laughed myself, seeing that he'd grabbed an apple, munching on it like we were old friends. As he continued his dramatic entrance, I scanned the room, counting the remaining enemy soldiers. Eight in comparison to the five of us, along with Vissarian, who at this point still had his weapon in his hand.

Subject to change.

My sweet woman started to struggle, doing everything in her power to rid herself of the jerk holding her. To make matters worse, the son of a bitch was egging her on, kissing her face while laughing like some goon. "Don't worry, baby. Everything is going to be okay."

"Remington. I'll kill you if you hurt Remington!" she bellowed, still squirming. The hold around her neck was tightened. As she started wheezing, I resisted reacting in any way. If I did, the bastards would use her against me. As it was, it was obvious they knew what Penny meant to me. It didn't bode well for her safety.

Or her life.

"Fuckers," Vissarian hissed, preparing to lift the gun when the man holding him finally yanked the weapon from his hand, laughing maniacally.

"Your brother isn't the smartest man. Is he?" Emiliano taunted. "Then again, he takes after his brother."

"Well, think of it this way," I said with a smile on my face as I lowered my weapon in front of me. "He knows when to hold back and when to attack. You see, our father trained us well." I shot Vissarian a look. I'd required him to go through extensive military-style training over the years, preparing him in the event of being attacked, or worse, being captured.

However, this was more personal to him, which almost surprised me.

My men had been trained to be crack shots, but not against assault rifles, which I hadn't anticipated. Still, with the right call, taking every one of the assholes out was still doable. I gave Konstantin a quick glance and he knew exactly what I was thinking, shifting two feet to the side.

Emiliano threw him a look, pointing the handgun he held casually in his hand at my counselor. "Tsk. Tsk. Russian. Do you not think I've spent weeks studying your crew, your security, your techniques, and your weaknesses? Unless you want your brother and that pretty lady of yours, who I'd prefer join my pleasure harem, to die, then I'd act accordingly."

"Over my dead body, scum," she said through clenched teeth, managing to stomp on the man's foot. It was obvious my pretty Penny wasn't going to back down for anyone. I both admired and wanted to throttle her for her continued push and pull.

"What is it that you want, Emiliano, other than revenge for something that preceded both of us?"

He had a perplexed look on his face then laughed. "You mean my worthless father and yours? I couldn't care less."

Konstantin huffed. It wasn't what either one of us had been expecting.

"Ah, it's all about the power. Selling drugs? I would think that's beneath you."

He wagged his finger as if I was an idiot. I noticed a hint of the branding the other assassins had carved into their bodies, realizing an angle that would likely set him off.

"You're a fool if you think revenge has any place in my world. I take what I want, and I decided months ago I wanted your regime. You have exactly what I need to move into the future."

He was more than dramatic, throwing out his arms, another man determined to become king of the world. I'd seen so many men who purported themselves to be leaders of powerful corporations, both legitimate and those based in criminal activity, think of themselves as gods. No rules to follow. No obstacles whatsoever. What I'd also learned was that once they got their head over their ass, their worlds usually crumbled like dominoes. It was a matter of pulling the first block.

So what if patience wasn't in my wheelhouse? On this night, I'd need to learn new tricks if I wanted the people I… loved to live.

And to hell with anyone who attempted to get in my way.

I acted bored, taking a deep breath and holding it while I continued to assess the situation. "You mean you're a lackey for the Death Squad and you really believe they're going to allow one of their puppets to rule a kingdom. If so, then you're the biggest fool of all." I laughed, which got my men to laugh with me.

The enemy soldiers were becoming nervous, unused to being so close to an even more powerful man. I took another quick glance at my beautiful woman, doing what I could to reassure her. She had a few tears running down her face and it was obvious to tell she was trying desperately to get to her beloved puppy. The Goldendoodle remained down but I could tell he was breathing. At least the soldiers were leaving him alone.

For now.

The look in Emiliano's eyes was fascinating for a power-hungry monster. He was furious he was on a short leash, planning on attempting to kill one or more of them. And most important, he confirmed the existence of the secret society. Not that it mattered at the moment.

I had more important things to take care of.

"Fuck you!" he hissed. "This is my world, my kingdom."

"If you say so. I'm curious. How did you enjoy Veronica? She was a tasty treat for a little while, but I quickly grew tired of her." Another way to goad a man was to make fun of the choices of women in his life.

He snarled, pointing his gun at my head, his men prepared and eager for a bloodbath. It was far too tense in the room, but this needed to be played out. Not only for information but also to end the attacks.

For now.

There were too many dangling pieces, but I had to pick them off one at a time or everything in my world would crumble. And that just wasn't going to happen.

After a few seconds, it was apparent he knew what I was attempting to do, collecting himself to a point as he raked one hand through his disheveled hair. He'd been told to try to grab power in this location, a strategic point for this magical society of assholes and beasts.

"As you probably determined, Kraven, she was a useful tool, but dead weight to a man like me."

"She convinced David to betray me with the vault and money you don't need. She provided locations of our most obvious cameras, although not all of them. She told you where my private suite was located, how to break the code for entrance. Let's see. What am I missing?"

"She seduced one of those prized hackers of yours. It's amazing what a slut will do for a padded bank account. I was able to see into your little world and glean everything I wanted to know. Now, I'm poised to clean out your bank account, to take over your resorts and casinos and be considered the prince of this town. Too bad she was just a cog in a wheel. I enjoyed fucking her while it lasted, but alas, as with all the loose fillings, they had to be removed and replaced." While he laughed, even spinning in a circle like he'd won, I gave Konstantin another hard look.

That was an indication that he'd eliminated the loose ends, Rocco included. Which didn't bother me in the least. What did was his ability to get far too close to my organization. An overhaul was needed, and I knew exactly who could help me strengthen my organization.

My talented brother.

Vissarian was listening to everything intently, which I knew he would do. The guy was even smarter than I was, and that was saying something.

There'd been too many surprises in my regime, too many soldiers and other employees easily seduced. There was one difference in how David and one of my computer technicians had easily been lured into sex and likely money as well. What the bastard preening in front of me didn't know was that I'd had very different security measures set in place by use of a company my father had trusted and one that had nothing to do with my organization.

The moment someone attempted to interfere with my financial accounts or other more sensitive records, the accounts would be locked down so tight, no one could gain access. The identity of the stupid guy who'd dared become yet another traitor was likely being traced without his knowledge he'd been discovered. I had a thought that I'd hire female hackers from now on. They seemed more trustworthy.

"Funny, my friend," I told him. "You've been had, promises made that can't be kept. As of this moment, the hacker is being located and the accounts frozen. You'll have access to nothing."

I knew how men like him operated. I was also aware of what pushed his buttons. I'd done studies of my enemies over the years, their behaviors and what caused them to fly off the handle. Granted, over the last five years, dozens of wannabe kings had popped up, so I'd lost track of a few of them, but the same aspects usually applied.

Men were influenced by money, power, influence, and women. When you put them all together, it was an explosive situation.

Especially when they were also bloodthirsty.

Men like Emiliano were truly little more than savages.

I knew it was time to take back what belonged to me.

So I did.

With a slight movement of my hand, one that all my men knew as well as my beloved brother, we began to attack.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my beloved angel refused to be a wallflower, elbowing the son of a bitch holding her. Unfortunately, from there I lost sight of her as I shot one enemy at close range, dropping and rolling before firing off several rounds at two more. When one fell on top of me, I was thrilled the fucker's dead body protected mine as another enemy fired off two shots.

I shoved the dead man's body, leaning out and catching the assassin right between the eyes. Thank God I wasn't out of practice.

The melee was horrific but not uncontrollable. Yet hearing her screams made the anger that much more alive, electrified, and in need of being satisfied.

"Kraven!" she screamed and I jerked my head to the right. The fucking bastard Emiliano had her by the throat, trying to drag her into the kitchen.

I reacted without a second of hesitation, flying toward him. My father had told me there was great satisfaction in overcoming an enemy, in watching the light fade from his eyes.

As soon as I grabbed Emiliano's arm, jerking him away, I started to yell for her to run when he turned his weapon on her. The drop into slow motion was swift, my reaction full of adrenaline. I lunged toward the man, tackling him just before he fired.

As we pitched and rolled, Emiliano still trying to get off a shot in her direction, I used every ounce of my strength to shove his weapon under his chin. And issuing a powerful, primal roar, I fired a single shot.

Maybe my father was right. As the light faded from Emiliano's eyes, I was able to smile, but only briefly as I heard her muffled cries. I scampered toward her, pulling her shaking body against mine.

"It's all over, baby. I have you."

"Remington. I need to get to Remington!"

The thought of the battle being over, that my baby was safe was all I was thinking about.

A mistake.

The next sound was one I'd remember for months to come.

My brother screaming as he flew toward me, blocking both my body and my line of vision.

Then another single shot before I fired off my own weapon.

Then silence…