Page 11 of Inferno

“Yes. So another tattoo is required. What flower this time?” He nods at the ink.

I raise my shoulders in a nonchalant gesture.

“Depends on the personality and type of kill. I like them to have meaning.”

He raises an eyebrow. I have lots of fun hobbies. Because of boredom and keeping my brain busy to forget the hell I live in.

Tattooing is a hobby that stuck.

Each kill is rewarded by a flower. A representation of the lives I’ve taken and made into something beautiful.

And a reminder of the monster I’ve become. But killing these men takes some of my pain away.

“Okay, so follow, extract, interrogate, and kill. Easy. I take it I have the asshole, Misha, with me?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Unless you kill him, which will raise many questions I may not be able to cover up, you’re stuck with him.”

I pout my lips in annoyance.

“Don’t give me ideas, Drago.”

He pulls up his sleeve and checks his Rolex.

“One day, he will get what’s coming to him, voitelnitsa,warrior. Just don’t let it be you who lands the blow.”

He straightens his tie and gives me a nod.

“Don’t overwork that shoulder. Italy is an unpredictable place. You can’t have a weakness.”

Instinctively, I rub the area. It was only a small wound needing a couple of stitches.

“Is Vlad returning before I leave?”

I hold my breath, hoping the next word to leave his mouth is no.

He chews the inside of his mouth and my heart sinks.

“He will be back in a few hours, according to Emil.”

I have kept my distance from the family. Vlad and his brother, Emil, are evil. Not that I have gathered any information on him. Only that he has a son.

“I’ll check in as usual throughout the trip.” He pulls out a cell from his pocket and holds it out in his palm.

“You’ll have a day or two. Use it to relax. Be Charlotte for a day?” He offers me a sad smile.

“I don’t know who she is anymore, Drago.”

His hand clasps down on my good shoulder.

“She’s in your heart. She’s there. You’re fighting to keep her there until it’s safe again. Never lose your spark. It’s keeping you, your dad, and probably me alive at this point.”

My breath hitches.

“He’s fine, Charlotte. Vlad may be evil, but he keeps his word so long as you keep this up.”

With that, he releases his grip and I clutch the phone in my hand.

“I’ll see you on the other side.” I grin before adding, “Maybe.”

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