Page 1 of Caged

ONE

MILA

Sliding through the snow-covered garden, I’m careful to step only on the exposed stones. It’s the same path I took to work my way into the unguarded back entrance of this decrepit mansion nearly lost in the Siberian forest.

But, looks can be deceiving.

My information was right, there was a hidden vault deep underground.

They should have expected me, or someone like me. The sentries were shit, the surveillance mediocre, but the payoff?

Exceptional.

The tiny sim card I took is so small I can’t even feel it pressed against my skin beneath my tight sports bra. Yet, it carries the weight of an empire.

Hers.

At least, that’s the importance she conveyed when she hired me. The data, or my life.

Not the first time it’s been threatened over some vague retrieval. And, I give them what they want, every damn time.

The heavy trees are a welcome cover as I sneak further from the target. I don’t know who owns that place, it seems like more than one person is keeping their sensitive items there.

I guess they didn’t expect a woman with a low cut shirt and tight spandex pants to appear from nowhere.

Gets them all flustered.

They always think they can get one over on me and get a piece before they take care of me. When in reality, all I need is just one tiny opening.

My cell vibrates in my pocket on silent. I think I’m far enough away.

“Ty? What’s up?” I don’t know who might be listening to the woods, but I keep my volume down.

“Mila!” His voice is raised in panic. “They took him!” He never gets flustered.

Pausing next to a rotting stump, I squat to block the icy wind. “Who?” My mind starts going down the list of people Tyler could possibly be talking about.

Is it one of the people from his past? Even though he’s my cousin, I’ve only known him for the last few years. But, I don’t think he’d be telling me about them. We all have our secrets in this line of work.

Unless it’s?—

“Daniil.”

My entire body goes cold.

No.

Please, not my baby brother.

“How?” I stammer.

“I’m running through street cams to capture a license. It was a snatch while he was talking to that butcher who is friends with our next mark.” Ty groans.

I can almost picture him running his hand up and down his face when he’s stressed.

“It was coordinated?” The heavy truth starts to weigh on me.

My own family was taken.

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