19. Melissa

CHAPTER 19

MELISSA

SUNDAY AFTERNOON – THE PLAN TAKES SHAPE

O nce we had a time frame, we dived into the work with determination. Within a few hours, we had laid the foundation of our plan. With three weeks to execute it, the timeline was tight but manageable.

We meticulously dissected each layer of the MP's security. The most challenging part of the operation would be bypassing the security code for his secure rooms. He changed it every few days, and the keypad required his unique fingerprints. On top of that, a retinal scanner added another layer of complexity. That was where I would need to do the most work and rely heavily on my gymnastic background. This was going to be one tough mission.

"So, it's agreed. Melissa and I will go in together to do the heist in one of Marcie's vans. Luca's job will be to obtain a copy of the MP's prints, find out about staff levels, confirm all the security measures and get us into the house on the day. Hacking into the main security system during the heist and providing any codes will be my job. Miki will co-ordinate everything from here with Eilidh and the rest is up to Trigger and Vlad who will be in charge of distractions and escape routes," Marko said.

We all nodded our agreement.

"And I will ensure everything is business as usual here and cover any alibi's should they be required," Romi supplied.

"Great. We are getting there, folks," Miki said and I couldn't help admiring just how quickly he'd made things come together.

Relief filled me as I looked around the room of people who were helping me, feeling glad to be a part of this team. I enjoyed brainstorming with them, appreciating their input and the trust they had in each other. It was exactly what I needed. After finalising the main plan, Miki led us through multiple contingency plans, showcasing his strategic thoroughness. He reminded me of my dad—they would have got along well. I was sure my dad would have liked these guys.

To be honest, I quickly grew fond of them myself. They not only made me feel welcome, and a valued part of the team, but they also often deferred to me, recognising this was my area of expertise. That made me feel special. I noticed how often Marko looked impressed with me too, and, well, I had to admit, I liked that as well.

As the day wore on, I realised how much I had missed the excitement of making this sort of plan. I had thought I wanted a quiet life, but now I wasn't completely sure. While I still didn't want to be in regular danger, I finally admitted to myself that a truly quiet life, the kind I had been recently imagining, would be utterly boring.

Of course, now that I was involved with my Bratva man and his family—and there was no denying that I was indeed very much involved with both—I doubted my life would ever be that quiet again.

By the time we headed into the dining room to meet up with the other women for a late dinner, I was pleased with the results of the day's work, though somewhat exhausted. The chat was light-hearted with a lot of good-natured bantering, especially from the boys who took great pleasure in taunting Marko about finally coming out from behind his computer screens long enough to get himself a woman.

Being called his woman should have been annoying, but I found I was actually secretly thrilled. Not that I was going to admit that.

"It's early days. We've only just met, so it's a bit soon to be proclaiming me Marko's woman," I scoffed.

That just earned me a laugh, and a wink followed by the comment, "We'll see," from the man in question, while the others simply chuckled.

Gracie turned to me, her eyes sparkling, and her voice filled with amusement, "I said that too. My conviction lasted all of about an hour."

"That's because I'm better than any book boyfriend," Ash replied, winking at her.

Everyone burst into fits of laughter.

Romi turned to Sonia, "Hey, I thought I was?"

"You are too, honey!" she replied, rolling her eyes and patting his arm soothingly.

Miki simply glanced at Eilidh with his eyebrows raised.

She giggled.

"You too, babe!" she said before kissing him on the cheek. As he nodded his approval, his lips twitching as he fought to keep a straight face.

"So, we are all book boyfriend material," Ash said as all three of the men looked smugly at Marko, "the question is, are you?" he asked, chuckling.

"I'm pretty sure Marko can wipe the floor with the lot of you, if he wants."

The room filled with oohs and ahhs ay my statement and I couldn't help giggling at the smug look on Marko's face and the looks of mock offence on the others.

If anyone had told me just a few days ago, I would be sitting here joking around with members of the Russian mafia about them being better than book boyfriends, of all things, or how quickly I would find myself at ease with them, I would never have believed them.

"Sounds like a challenge, Marko," Sonia said tauntingly.

"I like a challenge," he replied, winking with a grin filled with wicked promise.

Oh, my! My heart fluttered and butterflies did a happy dance in my stomach.

"But are you up to it?" Miki asked, smirking.

Grinning, I leaned over and whispered as seductively as I could manage into Marko's ear, "Well, are you?"

"Oh yes, Little Miss Pouty Lips. Challenge accepted!" he stated loudly.

My cheeks flushed with heat and a rush of wetness dampened my knickers as the room filled with whoops and cheers and I wondered just what I'd got myself into.