The Final Hour (Volkov Bratva #3)(54)

“First, you’re Russian too. Second, will you always bring that up the moment I’m in your presence?”

“As I live and f*cking breathe.”

At this point, Lauren didn’t need to worry whether or not Klaus would grow infuriated enough to kill Mishca whenever he came around. It seemed like they enjoyed arguing with each other more than anything else, not that she hadn’t noticed the changes between them since their first meeting at the building.

Lauren didn’t know what had happened with them between then and now, but whatever it was, she was grateful for it. Maybe, if she were lucky, they would quell whatever disagreement that brought such turmoil between them, but she doubted it would be anytime soon.

As Klaus was readying another threat, Lauren cut them off. “If the two of you are done…we have an opening to get to.”

Nodding, Klaus headed towards the door, but not before making a point to slam his shoulder into Mishca’s, knocking him back a few steps. Mishca was grappling for patience, not just because of Klaus’ childish behavior, but because he hated that Klaus was able to do that to him. If he’d been fully healed, a brawl might have broken out.

Before he could retaliate, Lauren moved over to Mishca’s side, staring up into concerned blue eyes. “It’ll be fine, Mish.”

“I would still feel better if I were there to make sure of that.”

“Luka will be there, and Klaus, and somebody that Klaus said he would need. I doubt whoever is coming will get anywhere near me with the three of them around.”

Sighing, Mishca lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a hard kiss to her knuckles. “Stick by them, for me. I know you. You’ll go off half-cocked and—”

She cut him off with a kiss of her own, feeling his lips turn up beneath hers. “I promise.”

“I mean it, Lauren,” he said earnestly. “Come back to me.”

“For f*ck’s sake,” Klaus said poking his head back in. “Come on.”

If looks could kill, Klaus might have died in seconds from the look Mishca sent him. Ignoring Klaus, Lauren turned Mishca’s face back towards her, going up to the tips of her toes to press a lingering kiss against his lips. When his arms wrapped tightly around her, Klaus groaned, throwing his hands up in exasperation as he went to take a seat, drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair.

“Whenever you’re ready. For f*ck’s safe, I have shit to do.”



Outside ‘L’, Lauren felt a bit like a celebrity, not that she had much of a choice since her wedding to Mishca had actually hit the papers—thanks in part to the shooting that had taken place.

Before they got out of the town car, Klaus passed her a tiny earbud as he placed an identical one in his own ear. “In case you need me,” he explained, motioning for her to take it.

She fitted the electronic device into her ear, her hair covering it. She waited a few seconds, expecting something to happen, but when it didn’t, she looked to Klaus.

“It starts transmitting when we speak,” he said aloud, even as she heard him in her head. “I can hear everything you say and everything going on around you, same on your end.”

“What if it malfunctions?” She yelled the last part, wincing when she saw him snatch the little device from his ear, glaring at her. She hadn’t meant to yell.

“Trust me, it won’t. And for future reference, no need to yell. I can hear you clearly.”

“Okay.”

She touched the door handle, preparing to get out, but he placed a gentle hand on her arm, halting her mid-pull.

“Are you sure you can handle this?”

She nodded. “I never backed down from you.”

He didn’t laugh at her attempt at humor. “Difference was, I never had any intention of killing you. The merc? He does.”

“I get it, Klaus. I do.”

Whatever he saw in her expression had him nodding. “Chin up then. He’s watching.”

With only that warning, he exited the car, coming around to her side to open her door. He was smiling now, extending his hand for her to take. To anyone else, he was Mishca. He really did look the part, but only she would notice the difference between them tonight.

They each only had one dimple, but they were on different cheeks; Mishca’s on the left, Klaus’ on the right.

As they quickly entered the club, consumed by the mass of bodies inside, Lauren took a deep breath, forcing the tension from her body.

It was time.

Thankfully, there was no one there that Lauren knew since she had warned them all not to drop by the club, knowing that tonight might turn into something that she wasn’t prepared for.

Klaus led her to the bar, making a point to mingle along the way, just as Mishca had done so many times in the past. When they were finally there, Klaus pressed against her back, she could almost believe that it was him. She didn’t think much of it, not until he placed his hand on her hip, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

“Relax.”

To all the world, they might have appeared to be sharing an intimate moment, instead of a mercenary and his accomplice awaiting a killer. She smiled up at him, going up on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek. His body went ramrod stiff for a moment before he took his own advice.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the flash of a camera.