Overthrown

Chapter 7

Lying in bed alone, I stare up at the plain white ceiling. It's hard to believe that having an unconscious stranger in my home was better than this. Sighing, I roll over onto my side as I look over at the indent left from where he laid. Running my fingers across the silk pillowcase that still smells of his cologne, I can't help but think of how he stared into my eyes. There was something in his gaze that held me there. Present. Grounded. Free from the anger that is typically trapped inside of me like a raging storm.

BUZZZ. My phone begins loudly vibrating across the nightstand. Luis. I rush to grab the phone and snap it to my ear, "Go ahead." I pray that this is the phone call I have been waiting for. I need to know why this all happened. I need to know what circumstances thrusted him into my life, captivating my every thought. "Is he still there?" He cautiously asks. "No. Nikolai woke up earlier today and left. He knows what happened and I believe we have his support."

There was a pause before he spoke as he let out a sigh of relief, "Ma'am, we know who did it. I have prepared a brief for you. I can present it when you are ready." His voice is confident and being former CIA, I trust his sources. "Copy. I will contact Nikolai and have him meet with us at my house in one hour." Hanging up and immediately dialing the number for the burner phone I gave him.

"Miss me already Angel?" He chuckles. That arrogant, handsome man; My eyes rolling as he laughs imagining his full lips turned up in a smirk. "I have intel on the men I killed. Luis will be debriefing me as soon as possible. Would you like to be there?" I ask, ignoring his apparent pet name for me. "I'll be there. Do you mind if I bring a few of my men?" His voice changes as he cuts straight to business. "That's fine. Meet at my house in one hour." I hear him snap something in Russian to whoever he was with. "See you soon my angel." His voice low and sultry as he says goodbye before hanging up. The sound of his voice sends every ounce of blood in my body rushing to my core, practically able to feel my heartbeat in my panties.

Rushing to my closet, I search through my clothes as my hands fly across the wooden hangers. Suddenly feeling nervous at the thought of seeing him again even though he just left this morning. Why do I feel such a need to impress him? He is just a man, I try to convince myself. After much debate, I finally decide on a silk button down blouse and a pencil skirt. I slip my feet into a pair of Louboutin's and quickly make my way into the bathroom to apply some makeup and put my hair into a loose bun.

Looking into the mirror, my eyes scan my body from head to toe. Once I am sure I no longer look like I was lying in bed fifteen minutes ago, I head towards the conference room. Before I leave the room, I grab Nikolai's handgun that he left behind and place it in my waistband draping my blouse over it. Biting my lip as I remember pointing it into his strong tattooed chest as his body hovered over mine. I hear the front door open, my head snaps towards the noise as I listen, my hand going to the pistol.

"Ma'am, its Luis." He calls out into the house and I relax at the sound of his voice. I step into the hall as he approaches and we both head into the conference room together. "Nikolai and a few of his men are going to be meeting with us." I state plainly as he begins unpacking his briefcase. "Wait, what? You invited them into your home? Ma'am, these men are dangerous." He says with worry dripping from every word as he underestimates me. He is the closest thing I have to a father and I think he forgets his place sometimes. Luis is making a habit out of this and I need to put it to a stop.

"And so am I, Luis. Your concern for my safety is heartfelt but unwarranted. Don't make me remind you of what I am capable of." I warn before walking to my seat at the head of the table.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. Won't happen again." He is right to apologize. I will not tolerate this blatant disregard of my strength, especially in front of others. Luis finishes connecting his laptop to the TV mounted in front of me. The doorbell rings and Luis glances in my direction as he heads towards the front door. "Play nice." I caution him with a raised eyebrow as he leaves.

I stand and turn towards the window overlooking the gardens. It is dark but the moonlight shines bright on the fountains below. One by one, I hear them file into the room and take their seats behind me. Sensing his presence, I turn to face them, his eyes locking into my gaze. He sits at the foot of the table directly across from me and leans back, his hand clasped on the conference table in front of him. It is obvious he is letting me take charge which I am sure he is not used to. I walk to my place at the head of the table and stand behind it placing my hands on the back of the large leather chair, nodding to Luis to begin.

"Late Friday evening three men injected Mr. Volkov with a heavy dose of Ketamine. Their intentions were to abduct him and bring them to their boss for execution. We now know that they were sent by the Castellano family." Nikolai's knuckles go white as his hands grip the table and he exhales heavily through his nose.

"Go on." He instructs; His sharp jaw tensing as his teeth clench trying to contain his anger.

"We have also identified the bodies of the three men that were sent. Louie Bocelli, Antonio Esposito, and Marco Castellano. Who, as you know, is the son of Francesco Castellano." As he lists the people, he brings their photos on to the screen. Side by side pictures, all with matching bullet holes in their foreheads. I stare across the room ignoring everyone including Nikolai, silently gazing upon the men I murdered.

I sense Nikolai's eyes on me watching my reaction, but I don't break my stare with the screen. I memorize their faces, this is the first time I am seeing what they look like without their black ski masks. One of Nikolai's men speaks, "So you just did us the grand favor of killing them and what? You want nothing in return? I am assuming you did it." He questions with a thick accent as he gestures towards Luis. Luis shifts the weight between his feet, clearly uncomfortable by the assumption, "No. I did not kill them."

I walk to the other side of the room and stand directly in front of the monitor getting a closer look. "Well, who did??" He asks impatiently. His outspoken attitude is getting on my nerves, I can tell we won't get along. Silence falls across the room as Nikolai stands, pushing his chair out from behind him. "She did." He states with a smirk.

The callous man erupts in laughter. "You're shitting me, right?!" Nikolai shoots him a glare but he doesn't notice. Still laughing, he scoffs, "You mean to tell me, that little miss rich bitch over here took out three hitmen, including the son of THE Francesco Castellano?"

You know what you need to do! Put an end to this now!

Luis takes a step forward and I can tell he wants to warn him, but it is too late. Before the man can regret what he has said, I have already made my way to his seat. He is still chuckling as I forcefully yank his head back, his long hair tugging at the roots, his eyes shooting open in anger. As he opens his mouth to yell, I shove the barrel of the pistol into his mouth and click the safety off. Luis immediately goes on alert, ready for a shoot-out as he reaches for his sidearm. Nikolai's men start yelling as they jump up from their seats but Nikolai sits and gestures for them to do the same.

"You come into my home and disrespect me. You dare to question my authority. You made a fatal mistake tonight. Never underestimate what I am capable of. And never question the lengths I will go through to get what I want. I wanted Nikolai alive. So, I killed three men for him to live. Right now, I want to put a bullet in your head. How do you think I'll handle that?" I can sense the fear on him, it is intoxicating only fueling my demon more. Nikolai's face still visible in my peripheral, blank of any emotion, analyzing my every move.

MAKE HIM SUBMIT!

"I'm sorry but I think I asked you a question!" My voice is low and deadly, pulling the pistol out of his mouth and flush against his forehead so he can speak. "I'm sorry ma'am. I shouldn't have questioned you. It won't happen again." He stammers. "You are right. It won't happen again. You want to know why? Because if it does, I will make sure you have matching bullet holes with the others. There will be one difference though. You will know this is coming and there will be nothing you can do to stop me." I threaten as I press the barrel deeper into his forehead making him cringe.

I release my grip on his hair as I throw his head to the side. I walk to the head of the table and slam the pistol on to the dark wood. "Is there anyone else who is stupid enough to question me?" In unison everyone in the room except Nikolai responds, "No, Ma'am." Nikolai stares at me watching my every move as I tuck the gun back into my waistband. "CLEAR THE ROOM." He orders, his eyes never leaving mine and without hesitation all of his men stand to leave. They quickly exit the room being sure not to make eye contact with me as they left. He looks at Luis, "That includes you. Leave."