Willow
“But when I dominate a woman, I own her. Break her. One day you’re going to belong to me.”
The man’s demanding and dangerous words reverberated in my mind. And I believed every word. Asshole.
I shivered, the memory of his touch far too exhilarating. My nipples ached, longing for his rough touch, his hot breath skating across my skin. I was insane to hunger for my enemy, a man capable of heinous crimes.
Including murder.
I closed my eyes briefly, remembering the feel of his cock buried inside my pussy, the hard thrusts as he shoved me straight into a moment of pure rapture. I remained wet and hot, my thighs sticky from his cum. He’d managed to unravel me in those few moments, crashing through every barrier I’d carefully placed around me.
“Do you crave a dominating man, cherie?”
I pressed my fingers across my lips, savoring the heated kiss. His scent lingered on my skin, musky and exotic. The butterflies in my tummy were a reminder that he was everything I couldn’t stand, yet all that I yearned for, and I was humiliated from the realization.
No. No. I couldn’t think this way. I had a job to do and I refused to fall prey to my own wicked desires.
Experts say that fear is only in your mind. What about danger? What about death?
I was prepared to kill my enemy.
Even eager to do so.
Within the hour, Aleksei Petrov would be dead.
I am a killer, a trained assassin. And I love my job the majority of the time.
I had to wonder what those experts would say about my utter excitement regarding my chosen profession. I’d be labeled a freak, a dangerous criminal. The thought gave me a sinful series of shivers.
I glanced out the window, satisfied. I was in position, ready to make my move.
The parking lot was dark, the only exception the single light from a streetlamp highlighting the far corner leading toward the street. I was parked next to a bank of trees, obstructed from the building by an oversized dumpster enclosure. Being close to midnight, I was the only car in the lot, all the minions having gone home for the weekend. If only they knew the kind of monster who towered above them, waiting to suck the life out of anyone who got in his way.
I stared up at the all glass building, contemplating just how delicious putting a bullet in the Russian’s head would be. This was considered an honor, taking out one of the most powerful men on the East coast. For me, this was personal. Even the local cops, at least those who weren’t on Petrov’s payroll, would likely give me a medal for performing a duty they hadn’t been capable of. Chuckling, I shifted into the backseat, struggling to unzip the garish dress I’d worn for the banquet and celebration. I certainly wasn’t going to do my job in sleek attire and high heels.
The thought was revealing about my personality. I hated the concept of being a girly girl. I shimmied out of the slick material, dumping it onto the floor. The black jeans and long-sleeve shirt would provide much better coverage, just in case my compatriots hadn’t been able to shut down the security system. I pulled my long hair into a ponytail in an effort to hide as much of my identity as possible. After tying the thick leather boots, I crawled back into the driver’s seat, yanking the small briefcase from the passenger floor.
Inside? My prized Glock, the perfect weapon for the job.
I stole a glance at my watch before double checking to make certain I didn’t have any unwanted visitors. I could have had security with me, beefy men hired to protect my ass, but assassinations I liked to handle on my own.
My way.
I was exactly on schedule. Any longer and I’d risk his arrival. Any less and I’d be forced to wait. I wasn’t good at being the kid in the candy store, my wants and needs always fulfilled when I decided. Tonight, I had a bottle of merlot already opened and waiting for victory.
Besides, I had zero patience or tolerance for bullshit.
I started my stopwatch then grabbed my gloves. A girl could never be too careful. The mask was next, the scratchy material irritating as hell, but necessary in a world of espionage and murder. I rolled my eyes, thinking about all my girlfriends, who had no idea I was a paid hitman, making more money than they’d ever dreamed about in their lives.
After exiting the vehicle, I made certain it couldn’t be seen easily. While the target would certainly park his Mercedes in the executive parking lot, right in front of the building, I didn’t want to cause any suspicions. Aleksei was also a careful man, having survived several assassination attempts over the years.
I shoved the weapon in my pocket and moved closer to the building, pulling out the card key I’d been provided. Now the moment of truth. The green light allowed a sigh of relief. So far, so good. The elevator was also locked down, the card coming in useful once again. I exited two floors below the top floor, moving up the stairs two at a time.
The small foyer was the only other space on this floor, the entire thirty thousand square feet taken up by Petrov Holdings, a dummy company for one of the most dangerous and notorious crime syndicates in the United States. What I was about to do would rock the entire world of the mafia.
I glanced over my shoulder before using the second card key, holding my breath once again. I was thankful I had the best IT guys on the planet working for my brother’s company. If not, I would have already been toast, the police on call. And I was certain the boys in blue who showed would be well paid for protecting the Petrov organization.
I crept through the impressive reception area, marveling at the expensive art adorning every wall. I did have to say, the man had excellent tastes. I’d studied a layout of the entire floor days before, learning every nuance, every room, including the ones hidden even from the schematics. There wasn’t a place anyone could hide.
If he tried to run, I would hunt him down.
I moved toward Aleksei’s office, confident he would follow his own protocol. The man was a machine, organized and savvy, intelligent and highly motivated. He also never changed his methods of operation, what the majority of people would call a weakness. I considered it a gift.
Who said a girl needed diamonds and furs?
His office wasn’t locked, which wasn’t necessarily surprising. The man could be trusting. To a point. I eased in, allowing my eyes to get used to the darkness. While there were no blinds on the windows, the limited moonlight only highlighted shadows of his desk and the other various pieces of furniture. I had no doubt the room was opulent. Aleksei was that kind of man.
He was also brutal and unforgiving, a masterful killer himself.
I would wait for him in his executive and very private bathroom. I moved in that direction, knowing I had nine minutes and thirty seconds before his arrival.
The man was always on time.
Myriad sensations rocketed through me the moment I heard the twist of a switch on a lamp. I’d know the sound anywhere. My reactions were quick, the gun firmly planted in both hands as I swung around to deal with the intruder.
Aleksei…
The understanding burned into the back of my mind. I’d been made a fool of, someone tipping him off. I had no doubt the Russian was going to kill me.