Page 41 of Caged

I can’t delude myself. Nikolai is Ivan’s son.

He’s so different though.

Ivan exudes evil.

Nikolai is warm, caring, and willingly opened his home to keep me safe. I’m a total stranger to him.

What the hell am I getting mixed up in that Ivan put out a hit on his own son?

He allowed me, a contract killer, in the home with his grand-daughter. That in itself is another reason that man needs to die.

Bile rises hot in my throat.

I’m going to be sick.

Flinging the door open, I almost run directly into Svetlana.

“You shouldn’t be in there.” Acid drips from her words. “I’m telling Mr. Nikolai. He will make you, and your whorish clothes, leave.”

She turns away.

I can’t stop myself. Grabbing the small light off of the end of Nikolai’s desk, I snap the cord around her throat and jerk her backwards into the room.

Please don’t let Elena come out and see this.

Svetlana tries to claw at my hands, but this isn’t the first time I’ve done this. Digging my knees into her back, my arms shake with the effort of cutting off her air.

One of her hands flies out and strikes the wall with a dull thump, but her struggles are getting weaker.

Fucking bitch. She deserves this for how she treated Elena.

I keep the snare tight until her body goes limp.

Then I hold on for another count of sixty for good measure.

Wiggling out from under her, she lays flat, unmoving.

Her eyes look like they’re bulging out of her face.

Zero regrets.

I have to call Tyler.

It takes all of my strength to drag Svetlana fully into the office.

Walking past Elena’s playroom, I make sure she’s happily occupied before going into my own room.

“Mila? What’s the problem? It isn’t our scheduled time.” Tyler’s voice betrays a hint of panic.

“I killed the nanny.”

“Shit. Did anyone see you? Where are you?” Something shuffles in the background.

Hopefully it’s him getting ready to come and help me.

“No. But, I'm at the house. I don’t know how long Nikolai will be away. We need to get her out of here yesterday.” As mean as she was to Eleana, years ago would have been the best option.

“Copy. Are there any cameras on sight? I might be able to get a hardline if they need wiped.” An engine starts up, muffling his voice.

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