Page 50 of The Darkest Hour
“Why was he targeted?”
“Reznov had enemies, powerful ones. People who wanted him gone but couldn’t get close enough. That’s where I came in. I was given all the intel, the security details, his scent, everything I needed to plan the perfect hit.”
She looked up. “Did you just say. . .his scent?”
“Yes.”
“You. . .could track him. . .through his scent?”
“I can.”
She blinked. Raindrops stuck to her eyelids. “Are you fucking with me?”
“We are in a raft, lost somewhere out in the Pacific ocean. Why would I lie?”
She parted her lips.
“Anyway. . .what they didn’t tell me was that Reznov had a fifteen year old daughter named Natalia.”
“Why did that matter?”
“I was supposed to infiltrate his mansion during one of his infamous sex parties, blend in with the guests, and take him out quietly. Everything was going according to plan until I saw her. Natalia.” I closed my eyes, the memory of her face vivid in my mind. “She was young. Innocent. I don’t know. Big eyes like a little kitten or puppy. And she was in danger.”
“How?”
“Reznov was planning to use her as leverage in one of his deals, essentially selling her virginity to a rival crime lord.”
“Shit.”
“When I found out, something in me snapped. And I don’t know why. I’d seen. . .a lot. . .things with children, animals, horrific things, but. . .” I gazed out at the ocean. “Maybe, I just had enough of all the terror and disgusting things.”
“What did you do?”
“I deviated from the plan. Instead of just taking out Reznov, I decided to save Natalia. It was risky, and it turned the mission into a bloodbath. I fought my way through his guards, killed Reznov, and took Natalia with me. But she wasn’t just a victim—she had secrets of her own. She knew too much about her father’s operations and the people involved. For my boss, she was now a target too. He ordered me to kill her. I refused.”
Onyx widened her eyes. “What happened when you refused?”
“He sent assassins after me, and so. . .after giving her a secret identity and making sure she was safe, I killed those assassins and then paid my boss a visit, woke him up in the middle of the night.”
“You were pissed.”
“Very much so, but assassins can never kill their bosses. It is the easiest way to have all other bosses uniting to kill you. It’s all about loyalty. Assassins are supposed to stay in line and know their limits.”
“Then, you went on the run, killing everyone that came after you.”
“I did.”
“How many assassins have you killed since being on the run?”
“Thirty-five.”
“All men?”
“Three women.”
She blinked.
“Two came to my bed as prostitutes. The other tried to get me in my sleep.” I studied her. “But you chose a different approach.”