Possess Me by Michelle Heard

 

Chapter 22

 

Alek

 

Sitting on a private jet with my boss, I stare out of the window.

I’ve completed my training at St. Monarch’s, and Viktor’s decided he wants me in LA with him.

During my first year of training, I put up an act so people would fear me and stay the fuck away from me, but with time I became the person I was pretending to be.

I don’t care about anything but Misha, Armani, my mama, and Tiana.

I have no conscience and will kill without thinking twice.

After losing Everleigh and Vincent, I never got my sanity back. With every passing year, it’s gotten worse, and now I’m nothing more than a monster who’ll kill and maim at command.

My relationship with my father is volatile as fuck. Our lives hardly cross paths, which is a good thing.

Viktor knows everything about my past, and he feels I’m a loose cannon he needs to keep an eye on.

Honestly, I think Viktor is just as insane as me. I almost let out a chuckle when I remember the incident earlier this year. Misha, Armani, and I fucked up when we stopped the assassination of a mafia princess. As punishment, Viktor shot me in the shoulder.

I was ready to die so Misha wouldn’t take the punishment, but Viktor just gave us a warning.

“What are you grinning about?” Viktor asks from where he’s seated across from me.

“I’m thinking of when you shot me.” My smile grows as I tease him, “Your aim is shitty.”

My boss lets out a burst of laughter before giving me a look of warning. “Don’t push your luck, Alek. I can always use you for target practice.”

Viktor flew to Switzerland because there was a job to take care of. He decided then and there I’m going to LA with him.

A flight attendant brings us each a tumbler of vodka. Viktor thanks her before locking eyes with me again. “Bullshit aside, how are you holding up?”

I shrug. “I’m ready to get to work, sir.”

He waves a careless hand. “Viktor. Keep the sir shit for my father.”

Instantly excitement bubbles in my chest. “Will I get to meet your father and Mr. Koslov?”

“Yes. We all live on the same property.”

It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to meet the greatest assassin alive. Alexei Koslov is nothing short of a legend.

Viktor tilts his head. “How are you really doing?” He gestures at his head. “Mentally.”

I glance away, which is my first mistake.

“I’m fine.”

Second mistake.

Shifting in my seat, I bring my eyes back to Viktor’s. He keeps staring at me until I say, “It comes and goes.”

“I hear you refuse to go for therapy.”

I shrug again. “No amount of talking will bring my brother and woman back.”

Compassion softens Viktor’s eyes. “No, it won’t.” He lets out a sigh, then says, “Don’t worry. I’ll give you enough work to keep you busy.”

“I look forward to it.” Dying to know, I ask, “What kind of work will I do?”

A grin spreads over his face. “You’ll start as a chauffeur for the family, and with time I’ll promote you to personal guard.”

It doesn’t sound like I’ll be busy at all. I was hoping to be where the action is.

Viktor sees my disappointment, then mutters, “Ungrateful, fuck. With you by my side daily, you’ll train to be my second-in-charge. There’s no starting at the top.”

Christ, I didn’t think that far ahead.

“I’m sorry.” A frown forms on my forehead. “But why?”

If I’m such a loose cannon, why the fuck would Viktor want to place me in such a high position?

“I owe you.” His expression grows serious. “You got taken because of my alliance with Luca. This is my way of paying you back.” He takes a sip of his vodka before continuing, “You’ve had a rough start, Alek. I feel you’ll do well under my lead.”

I so didn’t see this coming.

“I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”

 

 

When I steer the armored G-Wagon through the iron gates of the estate, I glance at the perfect lawn and gardens.

I count fifteen guards stationed at various points. There are three mansions and four cottages.

The place is fucking huge.

“The house on the right,” Viktor instructs from the passenger seat.

I pull up in the driveway and bring the vehicle to a stop. Climbing out, I check our surroundings for threats even though I don’t have to. The estate is safer than Ford Knox.

I still do it so I can get into the routine. The faster, the better.

A golden retriever comes running toward us and jumps up against Viktor. I watch as my boss gives the old dog some attention, then the animal comes to sniff my feet.

I let him do his thing before I pat him on the head.

“Her name is Luna,” Viktor says.

Oh, not a he but a she.

“I want to see my wife before I show you where you’ll live.”

I follow Viktor to his house, and when he enters through sliding doors, I stay out on the veranda so he’ll have privacy.

“You’re home!” I hear Mrs. Vetrov exclaim. “I didn’t expect you until much later.”

“Hi, baby,” he murmurs lovingly. “I missed you and our son. Put that down so I can love you.”

There’s a moment’s silence, and I keep my eyes on the house to the right.

“Let me look at my son,” Viktor says. “He’s gotten bigger.” Another pause, then he asks, “What have you been up to?”

“I found a cute little bookstore today and got some books for Roman.”

“You don’t think he’s a little young to start reading?” Viktor teases his wife.

“Duh…It’s for me to read to him,” Rosalie chuckles. “The owner of the bookstore is also a mom. I gave her my number and hope she’ll call so we can hang out.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t give me that look. She’s harmless. Not everyone is a threat.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” A few seconds later, Viktor calls, “Alek, come in.”

Stepping into the living room, I glance at Viktor’s wife and son.

“This is Rosalie, my wife.” Viktor pulls her close to his side.

“It’s an honor meeting you,” I say.

Viktor gestures at me, then explains to Rosalie, “Alek will live on the grounds. I’m going to train him to be my second-in-charge.”

Rosalie smiles politely but then gives me a look of warning. “Take good care of my husband.”

“I will,” I promise.

“I’m just going to take him to the main house before showing him his own place,” Viktor tells Rosalie. “I’ll be back in an hour or so, Moya malen'kaya roza.”

Hearing Viktor call her ‘his little rose’ makes me remember how I called Everleigh ‘my little love.’

The pain is sharp, and I struggle to breathe for a moment.

It’s hard watching the people around me find happiness and start families. I’ll never have that.

I lower my eyes to the floor and try to push the harrowing memories away before they can consume me.

Misha isn’t here to calm my ass down, and I can’t lose my shit in my boss’ home.

We exit the mansion and walk toward the biggest house on the estate. The dark cloud over my head lifts a little as I realize I’m about to meet Demitri Vetrov and Alexei Koslov.

The pair made the best assassin and custodian for decades, and no one has beaten their records.

Alexei was also the head of the bratva before Viktor took over.

Viktor shoves a side door open and calls out, “Where’s everyone?”

“In the kitchen,” a man replies.

When we enter a state-of-the-art kitchen, I lay eyes on the two men sitting by a round table and goosebumps spread over my body.

Even though they’re in their sixties, they still look badass as fuck.

Holy fuck. It’s finally happening.

Alexei’s eyes lock on me, and he tilts his head as he murmurs, “Aleksandr Aslenhov.”

I’m not surprised that he knows who I am. There’s nothing in this world this man doesn’t know.

He rises from his seat, and when he comes to stand in front of me, we lock eyes. He searches for something in my gaze before he says, “What you went through was fucked up. I hope you’ll find some happiness with us.”

The words are unexpected.

I can only nod. Not even for Alexei Koslov can I face my past.

He places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “We’ll spend some time together tomorrow.”

“That would be great,” I admit. “I have the highest respect for you, sir.”

“Just Alexei.” He turns away from me to take a seat again.

Demitri, Viktor’s father, just stares at me, so I walk closer and reach a hand out to him. “It’s good to meet you in person, sir.”

“Just Demitri,” he mutters.

The corner of my mouth lifts because Alexei and Demitri are so much alike.

I’m introduced to Viktor’s mother, Ariana, and then to Alexei’s wife, Isabella. She’s just as intimidating as her husband.

Isabella and Ariana both look at me with compassion, which tells me everyone here knows what happened to me.

“Alek will start as a chauffeur. I’ll train him over the next year to become my second-in-charge,” Viktor says.

Alexei nods, then asks, “Can you shoot?”

I let out a chuckle. “Not as good as you, but I don’t miss a target.”

He nods again, then mutters, “Good.” He gestures at a chair. “Sit, son. Let’s eat.”

Viktor and I take seats at the table, and even though I’m not hungry, I eat a little of everything so I don’t offend Isabella and Ariana.

Once we’re done, Viktor immediately rises to his feet. “Come, Alek.”

I shoot up, and with a  nod at the former bratva boss, his custodian, and their wives, I follow Viktor out of the mansion.

We walk to the cottage that’s nearest to the main gates, and Viktor takes a key from his pocket, unlocking the front door.

When we step inside, I notice the place is already furnished.

“You can change anything you want,” Viktor informs me. “This will be your home.”

Home.

Since I lost Everleigh, nothing has felt like home.

“If you bring a woman here, make sure she’s vetted,” he warns me.

“That’s something you don’t have to worry about,” I say.

Even though I’ve commented about getting laid, it was just to keep people off my back.

I haven’t, and I won’t touch a woman. My heart, body, and what’s left of my soul will always belong to Everleigh.

Viktor glances at me before nodding. “Obviously, you can come and go as you wish. Just be here when I need you.”

“Do you have a schedule I can keep track of?” I ask.

Viktor nods, and pulling his phone from his pocket, he sends me an email. “Unless something unexpected pops up, everything is on that schedule.”

I check the schedule and notice there’s nothing planned for the next three days. I also see contact details for doctors and anyone who’s in the service of the Vetrov family.

“Take a couple of days to get settled. I’d suggest you drive around to get accustomed to the neighborhood and surrounding areas.”

Viktor takes a credit card from his wallet and hands it to me. “This is for business expenses. Your salary will be transferred to your personal account. You won’t be wearing a combat uniform while on duty. Get suits on the business account. You’ll find my personal tailor’s contact details in the email I sent you.”

“Got it.”

“I’ll leave you to it so you can get settled,” he says as he hands me the key to the cottage. Our eyes meet, and I see sincerity as he adds, “It’s good to have you here, Alek.”

“Thank you.” I watch as he leaves the cottage before I turn around, my eyes drifting over the space that will be my home until the day I die.

Misha married an Italian princess. Armani married Tiana.

They’ve both moved on with their lives, and we’re stationed far from each other. Misha and Armani will probably see each other often because of Tiana.

I’m on my own now.

Taking a deep breath, I walk out of the cottage to grab my luggage from the G-Wagon.