Though I'm now 'officially' working with Makarov, I keep my eyes trained on him as we enter the house. I'm so concentrated on him that I almost miss the swift movement to my right. I jump, ready to grab my hand gun in defense. A tall, muscular man raises an eyebrow at my reaction to his movement but brushes it off-keeping an eye on me. Makarov looks back at me, slightly amused. "My, my, you sure seem to be on edge. Just relax, your no use to me dead." He mutters plainly as he continues into the open area. I share a dark look with the ninja Russian before I follow after Makarov. A short Russian greets Makarov nervously in Russian, his light green eyes glancing at me once. Makarov hands the man the file, clasping a firm hand on the man's shoulder. "We've got work to do, Anatoly. Introductions will have to wait." Makarov informs the brown-reddish haired man now known as Anatoly. He nods, spreading the file contents across the plastic folding table. I quietly retreat to the kitchen where Ivan and Langley reside. Ivan rummages through the refrigerator loudly.

I shake my head in shame as a small smile crosses my lips. "Are you always this loud, Ivan?" I ask as he pulled out of the fridge with three beers in hand.

He grins proudly, handing a bottle to Langley and another to me non-chalet. "Pretty much, it's in my nature." He replies optimistically, unscrewing the cap from his beer and taking a sip. I blink, glancing at the bottle of beer in my hands. My nose wrinkles up in disgust as I place it on the counter, pushing it away from me in repulsion. Ivan raises an eyebrow at my action. "What, you don't drink?" he asks, assuming most teens my age would jump at the opportunity for free booze.

Crossing my arms, I shake my head. "I'm only 17. So no, I don't drink." I state firmly, remembering promising my sis I won't start down that path.

Langley and Ivan share a look before nodding in understanding. Langley lightly slapped Ivan on the back of the head. "Idiot, of course she wouldn't drink." He grumbles.

Ivan rubs the back of his head. "Well So-rry!" he mutters dryly. I roll my eyes, wondering how Makarov can put up with these two with their constant fights.

I feel a presence standing behind me. In a flash, the beer I rejected is swiped from the counter. I glance over my shoulder and see the ninja Russian is the culprit. We lock eyes, his hollow blue eyes glaring into my dark auburn eyes. He scoffs as he takes a sip from the beer, slightly annoyed by my presence. "What are you looking at, American?" he growls at me sharply.

Judging by his question I tell he's not exactly the 'warm and fuzzy' type of welcomer. Usually, I would throw some joke back at a comment like his. But I'm drawing a blank, not wanting to start something. He rolls his eyes, muttering something in Russian under his breath foully.

I narrow my eyes at him, placing my hands on my hips. "Excuse me, what did you just say?" I ask, glowering in anger. Sure this guy is two times my size and looks like he could be a substitute in a Chuck Norris joke, but no way am I going to let him talk shit about me.

He looks down at me, smiling darkly. "I said 'cyka'…it means bitch." He replies slightly, laughing as he turns to walk away.

I ball my hands in fists as my teeth clench. Of all the nasty, cruel names you could possibly call me, bitch is my LEAST favorite. Oh, I am SO going to-

"I wouldn't if I were you, Erin. Viktor isn't the type to attack head on…" Makarov warns bluntly, breaking into my thoughts as he continued analyzing the papers from the file.

My anger dissolves as I look over at him in shocked confusion. Did he just-read my thoughts? Shaking my head of this though, I glare at Viktor (the once nameless, ninja jerk Russian) as he disappears down the hall. I shrug, deciding to follow Makarov's tidbit of advice. But I know this fight isn't over.

Author's Note: OK, let me be the first to say this: I am SO sorry for not updating in a while. I had a horrible case of writers block. Well despite this setback, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This is a short chapter because the next chapter is going to be pretty long.

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