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Her expression turns hungry. My cock hardens, and I’m fucking glad I have tight pants on to keep me contained.

“Jesus Christ, if you want to suck his dick, just go and do it,” Mishka snaps at Tatiana. Spell broken, Tatiana shoots him a glare, and I give him one of my own for good measure. He ignores them both. “We have shit to do, and story time is over.”

“Buzz kill,” Tatiana huffs, but the mischievousness in her eyes filters out some of the desire. “And are you going to tell them your little piece of news?”

Mishka mutters something under his breath, but I don’t catch it. Instead, he looks at me and says, “With the school finished, I’ll be returning to take over my father’s territory. We’ll sit down later to discuss alliances.”

Hold the fuck up. Oleg and Zakhar stiffen but stay silent.

“And you think I’m just going to stop my plans to cater to you?” I demand. The Belov territory is large, and no way am I just going to let that go to waste. Not after all the work I’ve put in. Not after what he did to Mila.

Mishka holds my stare, unwavering. Nothing like the boy I grew up hearing about. He used to be loud, abrasive, though not quite as much as Simeon was. Not this man.

“You will if you don’t want a war on your hands. And we both know I have far more at my back, considering my unwanted profession.” He dismisses me without another word, looking back at Rori. “We need to talk, solnyshko.”

My jaw clenches. We’ll see about that. I don’t give a shit who or what he is. He doesn’t get to waltz back in and act like he can do whatever he wants. I shoot Oleg and Zakhar quick, pointed stares, and they give small tilts of their chins.

Clapping her hands, my little stalker says, “Alright, everyone, let’s get to work. Though, you might want to move rooms, Aurora. This place is a bit of a mess.”

Rori gives her a taunting smile. What is she up to?

Finally, she says, “Since your secret’s out and killing us isn’t an option, all things considered, what am I supposed to call you? Bitch comes to mind, but well, that’s just so clichéd. You know, you kind of look like Alessandra or a Gianna.”

I study Tatiana—or whatever her name is—closely. Rori’s question should be simple, easy, but instead, her eyes narrow on Rori, like she’s ready to go for another round. The tension in the room increases.

Is that one her name? Alessandra? Or Gianna? No, I don’t think so. Neither of them really suit her.

“Of course she’d pick Italian names,” Oleg sneers.

I stare at her, waiting. Wanting a name to finally put to her. Her fingers clench at her sides into fists. The glare she sends Rori has me wondering if I’m going to have another body to clean up.

Rori stares back at her, unafraid, smiling.

A part of me wants to tell them she doesn’t have to say shit. She can tell me her name when she’s ready, but at the same time, I need it more than I need air. I need to know the name of the woman who’s going to be mine.

“Lane. My name is Lane,” she finally spits out.

Lane. Finally.

“Beautiful,” I murmur. Other than Mila, I’ve never thought a name was beautiful until now.

Lane smiles when she looks at me.

Everyone starts moving, and I force myself to look at Zakhar, trying to ignore the anticipation thickening my blood. “Get the men to start cleaning shit up,” I order, dismissing him to look back at the woman I’m going to claim very soon.

There’ll be time later to hash shit out, to deal with the Butcher. My men won’t let him get away.

Right now, I have one mission.

Fucking the breath right out of an assassin who’s got me in her sights, and making her realize she won’t be walking away from me again.

35

LANE

He’s on me before the door slams shut. I laugh as he grabs me by the throat, spins me around, and sends me flying into the door. Not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make a point. My lips stretch wide, anticipation thick as his hand wraps around my throat one more time, clamping tight.

“Your days of running are over, lisichka.” Dark promise drips from his voice. He leans down, blue eyes full of desire. “After today, the only place you’re going to run is straight to my bed. Or wherever else I decide to put you.”