Chapter 3 You Live in My Thoughts, Ivonne. Two.

We arrived at the "coyote's" place, as he liked to be called, the world's largest arms dealer, who incidentally, my family has the best deals with. I smiled as I entered his house. As always, he was dining alone in his dining room. He's known for being a bitter asshole, and while I might be similar, he takes it to a whole new level.

"He told you that no one is allowed in here. Especially when I'm eating," the man sitting there said. I'm just like him. Only a few people sit down to eat with me. I don't grant that privilege to just anyone. Not to mention that Antoine has been by my side my whole life, and he's only sat at the table with me a couple of times.

"I'm not just anyone," I said, appearing in his line of sight. I adopted the same demonic demeanor, as his father used to do deals with mine. Aleric, on the other hand, isn't the type of person who only cares about business. He doesn't care who he's dealing with. He won't change his attitude.

"I don't care if you're a Petrov or a full-fledged Yakuza member. I don't like anyone coming into my house, especially without my permission," he replied. "But since you're here, spill it. You've ruined my meal."

"Listen, you damn fool. This is serious, and I couldn't care less if my presence bothers you or not. I'm here for business, not for socializing," I said, barely concealing my irritation. We have such similar personalities that we often get on our own nerves. "And if my presence bothers you so much, we can settle this with our fists right here," I added, placing both my hands on his table, locking eyes.

"I'm not here for your games, kid," he said, his hand resting on the waistband of his pants as he looked at me seriously. I knew exactly what he was about to do, so I did the same. We didn't waste time pulling out our guns and aiming them at each other, but Antoine and Aleric's security chief appeared from the outside. Not a great day to have only standard security.

"You think I won't?" I retorted with a smug smile. "Now, tell me, are we going to negotiate?" I waited for his nod. If not, this would turn into a damn shootout, and I'd be at a significant disadvantage because he knew the lay of the land perfectly, while I had no idea.

"Lower your weapon, kid," Aleric's father said from behind us. "I didn't have issues with your damn father, and I won't have them with you. I know you two are good friends, but you both have shitty tempers. So irritable," he added, smiling wryly. I stepped closer to sit at his table and discuss the matters we needed to negotiate, but Aleric spoke up.

"Only people I value and trust sit at my table, and behind that, it's just me," he added, smiling. "You stopped being one of those when you decided to sleep with the girl who was going to become my future wife," he said.

"Well, Aleric, I've told you that she never once mentioned she was engaged. It's not my fault that happened. Drop the grudge already. I care more about her alive than buried," I replied with a grin, running my tongue over my teeth in a smirk. "I need weapons, different types. Sniper rifles, rapid-fire guns, close-range weapons. I need to be armed to the teeth for what I have planned," I added.

"We haven't even discussed the quantity, and it seems like I'll need time. I can't get you what you're asking for overnight, and I have 'orders' before yours," Aleric's father responded. He knew what I wanted. In this world, nothing works without enough money.

"I don't give a damn! I'll pay you whatever you want to bring me that shipment as soon as possible. Just give me a number, and I'll give it to you. You know that's not a problem for a Petrov," I added. He looked at me and then smiled again.

"Vse v poryadke (All right)," he responded. We shook hands to seal the deal, and then I left his house and headed straight to mine. Antoine glanced at me in the rearview mirror. He had a question, but he couldn't bring himself to ask it. He remained that way for much of the ride until he finally managed to voice his concern.

"Tell me, what's bothering you so much?" I asked, staring at him intently.

"Sir, I don't want to seem weak or foolish, but it's just you and me, while they number in the hundreds, and the guns you ordered are also in the hundreds, enough to arm a battalion we don't have," he said.

"Don't worry," I replied. "We'll find men, for money, and many would sell out their own mothers." We continued in silence, but inevitably, I thought about that girl. Today, when her letter arrived, I found myself thinking about her more. Her words seemed to replay in my mind as if I had memorized them, and perhaps I had, but I didn't want to admit it.

Maybe... Maybe she'll show up at my doorstep once her imprisonment is over, as she mentioned in her letter. Only if the address was correct. If not, I'll just look like a fool, believing in something that wasn't real. I wished to see her, to meet her. There was something in her writing that stirred a feeling in me that I had never experienced before. But I knew she was just as much of a rat as I was, and nothing good comes from mixing filth with filth.

We entered the mansion, and I searched through the newspaper. There are always people in need offering their services. I also sent Antoine to recruit people from the most remote neighborhoods in the city. I just hoped I could assemble my army and eliminate all those scum who took over my throne in Russia.

Moscow is my land, and not even the devil would dare to try and take me out of there. These poor fools have no idea who they've messed with. I grinned devilishly, a gesture I made when murderous thoughts took over my mind. And in that, I'm quite creative.

Ivonne Wilson

I just have to get through this day, just this one. By tomorrow's dawn, I'll be free. Finally, I can leave this place, take what's rightfully mine, and get as far away from my aunt as possible. I don't want to stay anywhere near the woman who destroyed my family.

"Tomorrow we'll finally be out of this shithole," I said, smiling. My friend was right beside me, a smile lighting up her face. She understood the significance – she would come with me. Leave behind these wretched conditions and seek something better together.

"You're right, all these years of waiting will have been worth it," she responded, her smile unwavering. And indeed, they had been worth every damn moment. I couldn't contain the happiness welling up inside me. But even so, I felt Anastasia was even happier. Her eyes sparkled just by looking at her.

I managed to fall asleep past midnight, eagerly wishing for the hours to fly by. But I was awakened by Anastasia shortly after, her expression giving away that something was wrong. She had a knack for stumbling into trouble during the dark hours of the night.

"What's going on?" i asked, her curiosity evident. She had likely discovered something. Those bad habits of hers, wandering through the shadows.

"There are some men outside asking for you, and they don't seem friendly," she said. "We need to leave quickly. I guess you were right when you joked about your aunt sending goons after you," she added with a half-smile.

"I don't think she's stooped that low," I said, though I was well aware of the lengths that woman would go to. After all, she had no qualms about getting involved with her brother-in-law or letting my mother catch her entangled with my father. She's capable of anything.

"We have to get out of here, Iv," Anastasia insisted, using a nickname she sometimes called me. I got up and put on some slippers. Everything else could stay behind – no time to waste taking more things with us.

"I'm right behind you, Ann," I replied, shortening her name too. I suppose after so many years of friendship, we felt the freedom to do that.

"Let's go," we slipped out of the room cautiously, leaving a couple of pillows on the bed to give the appearance that we were still there.

We walked through a secondary hallway that led to the kitchen, even though we weren't supposed to use it, it was an easy way to get out of the rooms quickly. Suddenly, we heard two loud bangs. I had never heard a gunshot before, but that's what it sounded like, and it scared me.

I froze, fear gripping my body, but Ann grabbed my arm and pulled me to keep moving. I wanted to believe that everything would turn out fine, really, but if they had already fired shots, they must have realized that the beds only had pillows. It was pitch dark, as if my aunt had timed this night to perfection.

The door wouldn't open, it was locked, as if they knew we were going to escape. But we wouldn't give up, we would try to get out as if it were the last thing we'd do, which now, was an option.

"Damn it," Anastasia muttered. We were both completely terrified, and that feeling only intensified when we heard footsteps coming towards the kitchen. We locked the door and tried to open it again, but nothing worked. Ann couldn't handle the pressure and grabbed a chair, which broke after several attempts. We left with some glass splinters embedded in our arms and wrists, but none deep enough to hurt us too badly.

We left the kitchen in the midst of darkness, guided only by the faint moonlight that filtered through the old buildings surrounding the area. In this place, even the streetlights struggled to shine. Every step we took seemed to resonate in the silence of the pavement, creating an echoing effect. My heart was pounding in my chest, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. My mind was filled with questions and fears, but we couldn't afford to stop.