Page 9 of Inferno

“I see your shoulder has healed nicely.”

With a grunt, I push myself upright, wiping the sweat from my forehead, my muscles aching, and turn to face him.

“Wanna fight?” I ask, putting up my fists.

He grins, a flash of white teeth against his tanned face, as he closes the distance.

He slides his tattooed hands down the front of his navy suit jacket.

He’s a beast of a man. Ripped, dangerous, and a master of the martial arts.

That’s how our friendship blossomed. He took me under his wing to train me to become a force to be reckoned with.

Yet, by day, he chooses other business activities. Boring ones that required tailored suits and acquisitions.

“I don’t have time. Busy schedule.”

I huff and roll my eyes.

“Sounds utterly dull, Drago. You should come on a job with me.” I grin, rubbing my hands together.

I’ve been trying to get rid of Misha as my outside handler for months.

He’s an asshole. A fucking sex pest and someone I want to add to my tattoo collection one day.

Drago chuckles a low rumble in his chest as he approaches, slamming his fist hard into the punchbag making a satisfying thud.

“Impressive for a business boy,” I tease.

He holds it still, his light green eyes bore into me.

Great. That means there’s news.

“I take it I have a job?” I tilt my head.

That brief rush runs through me. I get to leave this mansion. Even if it’s temporary, it’s something.

Away from my husband.

Even if it means the greasy-haired Misha is breathing down my neck.

I shudder.

“You do. You might enjoy this one.” He grins, running a hand through his dark blond hair.

“Why? There’s an escape plan?”

He glares at me.

“Patience, Charlotte. There are lots of pieces at play here. You and your father are alive. Outside, you won’t be.”

I sigh. I know damn well that’s the case. I live every day with this carrot dangled in front of me.

In an ideal world, I run and get a new identity and save my dad.

But I’m too valuable to Vlad. Especially now that I’ve been trained to kill.

There isn’t anyone else in his force that has the wits and the skills, unfortunately for me.

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