Fuck.
She is hanging limply over Rurik's shoulder. I climb into the back of the van and reach out for her. Alek said he wanted her unharmed, so I guess she'll sit in my lap. Rurik pauses for a moment before handing her to me. In the back of the van, I hear Lev fumbling around before closing the back gate. When we start the car there is tension.
Alek didn't tell me who we were taking. I know we've been trying to hunt her down since she and her family deserted but at this point, I figured it had been a lost cause. Her parents are already dead, and I didn't think we needed her. Rurik and I were completely oblivious to what the mission was. Obviously, Lev knew being his second, but I wish he could have prepared me for the woman sitting on my lap now. I have never been bothered about withheld information before.
Her features are so soft while she sleeps. Her straight red hair falls down to her butt. My fingers trace down the strands of hair until I rest my hand on her hip.
"Max, Kenna's asleep." I look over to my brother, Rurik, whose eyes are trained on the girl we all know. "You should probably keep your hands off her. Alek wants her for a reason. He obviously made sure we took her before she got engaged in there."
"Her name is Dianna. It's been Diana longer than she has ever been Kenna." Lev says in a stern voice. "They kept her middle name Kenna."
"Lev, how long have you known about her?" Rurik asks in an almost desperate voice. The silence Lev gives us everything we need to know. She's been Alek's secret for a while. The big question is why now. Why now after everything?
The silence in the van is deafening. After we made sure she was unconscious, we threw her boyfriend's body in the back. Instructions were clear that we were to kidnap her, take him out, and no one would notice their disappearance for about two weeks because they were supposed to go on a trip together. By that point we will have disposed of the body and hopefully gotten her to bend to our will.
When we were told it was a girl we were bringing in, I was quite surprised. It's not very often we kidnap women like this. I thought she would be important to some other group. Like the daughter of another Mafia leader. I didn't think it would be Kenna. She looks the same and so much different. Her hair is straight where it was curly the last time I saw her. She's obviously so much more grown up. She's not the 12-year-old who would hide her hair in a hat and wear boys clothing to hide from her dad. No. This woman is 10 years older and much more refined.
She walked into that museum with perfect posture. She knew the building like it was her own home. She got taller than I thought she would. I could have sworn she would stay small for her whole life. I know she is wearing heels, but she was almost 6 feet with heels on. She seems sure of herself though she didn't fight me at all when I put that cloth to her face. Was she too scared? Did she just give up?
She smells the same. Vanilla and Lavender. Her beautiful dress is ruined. There are blood stains all over it. I run the fabric between my two fingers. It's soft and delicate just like her. I look up at Rurik and his eyes are still trained on her as well.
Shit
She stirs and all three of us turn to stone. I shouldn't be so reckless. I bet she wouldn't even recognize us if she woke. She snuggled her head into my chest and then stops moving again. I notice Rurik's eyes are dark. I look back down at her and I understand completely. Her dress moved and the lace of her underwear was exposed. I clear my throat and move her dress. We are going to be in a heap of trouble. Not just us but Alek too.
