Page 3 of Seduction (Wicked Vows)

Mikhail nods. “I know you will, but it isn’t worth the risk. Kolya and I have consulted, and we have what we believe to be a better plan.”

Fire thrums in my veins. This is my family that was attacked. I want to do what I do best.

“Mikhail. A better plan? Better than sending me to take him out once and for all?”

“Sit down, Nikko,” Mikhail says calmly. “I’d bet my fucking life on you exacting revenge. But then what? It’s more complicated than that. What if this was only the beginning of a much larger plan to take us down? What if he’s acting on behalf of another man in a position of power? What if the assassination of Petr Ivanov is the first domino we strike down, only to start something too big for us to handle? We do need to take Ivanov out, but we have to have a crystal clear strategy before we do.”

He has a point. I cross my arms over my chest while I listen and finally give a reluctant nod. “Go on.”

“I have more details that will help us form our plan.” Kolya’s voice comes from behind me. I turn to see him entering the balcony. Ten years Mikhail’s senior, he was one of my father’s best friends in the military. He became an older brother to us, a mentor who trained us in hand-to-hand combat and so much more. While Mikhail has become the patriarch of our family, Kolya will forever be our advisor.

We’re all ears.

Kolya strolls onto the balcony, stroking his chin. He looks at each of us, a storm brewing in his eyes when his gaze meets mine. This is personal. “Ivanov has two daughters. One is engaged to be married to a high-ranking captain of the Ledyanoye Bratstvo.”

A shadow passes over Viktor’s features but passes so quickly that I wonder if I’ve imagined it. Always the face of a stoic, it’s unlike him to betray any show of emotion. A muscle ticks in his jaw. Does he know more about them than he’s letting on?

“But his younger daughter, Vera Ivanova, is single. Brilliant. And stunning.”

Mikhail’s eyes are fixed on me as he continues where Kolya left off.

“Vera Ivanova’s been selected to join a prestigious graduate student program for gifted medical students in Moscow. Thanks to my wife’s impeccable research, I have it on good authority that he cares more about his reputation than he does his actual family. He hasn’t shared a bed with his wife in twenty years and has a different mistress in every major city in Russia. He has nothing to do with his daughters. He wanted a son.”

Classic. I roll my eyes but nod.

“His wife, Zofia Ivanova, has insisted her daughter bring a bodyguard to Moscow. She also despises her husband’s homeland and forbade her daughter from learning the language, which puts her at a disadvantage.”

“Ahh,” Viktor says, his deep rumble of a voice getting all our attention since he rarely speaks during meetings. Or, honestly, at all. “I see where you’re going with this.”

I think I see, too, but I want to hear Mikhail explicitly state what he’s thinking. I’m slow to make decisions, and I don’t ever jump to conclusions.

Mikhail nods. “No one’s ever met this new bodyguard. Vera has no idea what he looks like, and Vera’s father won’t be anywhere near her. . . at least at first. And we only need a few weeks.”

“I could go,” Viktor says. “I could pretend to be her bodyguard?—”

Mikhail nods. “You will go, Viktor. You’ll take out the current bodyguard.” Mikhail’s eyes ice over. “We happen to know for a fact that the man was only hired as a favor to his Moscow mistress, as he is her nephew. He’s been convicted on charges of child abuse and possession of child pornography and only released because of his connection to Ivanov.” Mikhail scowls. “I want you to know who you’re dealing with before you end him, Viktor.” He leans forward. “Be silent. Be decisive. We’ll do away with his body so there’s no evidence. But for the love of Christ, make it fucking hurt.”

Viktor is someone we rely on, but he does better work when he has a clear motive. He has no qualms about taking the life of an enemy but considers it an act of justice to do away with someone whose actions he considers heinous and reprehensible.

Fuck. He’s chosen Viktor instead of me for whatever reason. If he?—

Mikhail turns to me. “Nikko. You’ll go with him.”

It takes me a second to register what he just said. “Me?”

Mikhail nods. “You most closely match the profile of the man hired to protect her. With a few small tweaks, you’d pass for him at a distance. The others would stand out too much.” Mikhail holds my gaze. “Listen carefully. Your job is to pretend to be her bodyguard. Get close to her, Nikko. Find out everything you can about her father and his operation. And when the time is right,” he pauses, his words weighing heavily as he lays out my objective. “You’ll end him.”

I nod. I’ll accept this responsibility. It’s the only choice I have. And even if I had another, this is the one that I’d choose. I’m dedicated to protecting my family, no matter the cost.

“You said she speaks no Russian,” I say thoughtfully, tapping my chin. “Should make things interesting since I don’t speak any English.”

Lev snorts, Aleks grins at me, and even Kolya cracks a reluctant smile. “That will absolutely make it easier for you to gather intel,” Kolya admits with a shrug. “To a degree.”

“When do I leave?”

Aleks takes out an iPad and pulls up an itinerary. “This is Vera Ivanova’s schedule. Aria’s set a drone in place to map her for a few days so you can get an idea of her habits, how she operates, where she goes, and what she does. I’ve tapped into her mobile and online browsing as well.” He shakes his head. “I’m telling you, Mikhail, the fact that Aria and I run cybersecurity for you guys puts you head and shoulders above everyone. They don’t even have biometric sensors or quantum encryption GPS trackers in place.” He shakes his head and curses in Russian, obviously disgusted.

I have no idea what the fuck a quantum encryption GPS tracker is, and only the vaguest idea that the biometric sensors monitor our health and location remotely, but I take his word that it’s important and maybe even necessary.

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