Merry Christmas! Or whatever you celebrate. I'm in Australia so Christmas is over and everybody is getting ready for the New Year! Yay. There might be a little bit of 'Sarcasm' in there. I've been working on this chapter since I posted the first chapter of No Mercy.

The first chapter of No Mercy didn't have that great of a response which is my own fault- I don't regret the way I wrote it but I regret not waiting to post it with this chapter so I might conjoin the two chapters later on. I'll let you know if I do that because I' might also rewrite and extend it.

I truly hope that I've redeemed your faith in the story with this chapter and I look forward to reading the reviews. Good. Bad. It doesn't matter I learn and I grow from the reviews regardless.
A huge thank you to everybody who takes the time to review.

Enjoy & Have a Great New Year.

No Mercy

Vasilisa Dragomir

Chapter 2

"Stop! Don't you get it, Vasilisa? I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to hold your hand and cry. I don't want to look at you! The love of my life is DEAD! And you're a constant reminder of her. Rose. Is. Dead. All I see when I look at you is her burnt body lying on a slab under a white sheet! Why? I'll tell you WHY because ONCE AGAIN Rose chose YOU over Me. And now she's dead."

I couldn't shake the sickening feeling in my gut every time I thought back on Dimitri's words in the church. It'd been 2 days since the funeral and still my heart broke every time I remembered. Dimitri blamed me for Rose's death- he wasn't wrong- if it wasn't for me Rose would still be alive.

"You have to think of the baby."

I looked down my stomach at the tiny bump that was barely noticeable. It'd only popped out yesterday. I still hadn't told Christian but I knew I'd need to tell him soon. This was the kind of news that would lift people's spirits and help us all to move on but I wasn't ready for any of that.

My best friend was dead and I felt as if I'd lost a piece of my soul. The life that was growing inside of my belly was the only thing that kept me from giving into the darkness. It would be so easy to give into the despair but I held on for the sake of my baby and for the sake of Christian.

"What are our plans today, Ms. Dragomir?" Guardian Grant asked as he pressed the button to the elevator.

"I'd like to go to the hospital."

Grant's hand froze mid-air. "Ms. Dragomir-"

"Lissa." I corrected him as the doors opened revealing a young and very well dressed man. "Hi- Can I help you? You look a little lost?"

"That depends." The young man smiled. "Does Vasilisa Dragomir live on this floor?"

"Who's asking?" Grant questioned stepping in front of me.

"Marcel Thomas." The young man smiled politely holding out his hand. "I worked for Ms. Hathaway. I was her attorney- I have a letter for Ms. Dragomir- I was instructed to personally deliver the letter upon Ms. Hathaway's untimely death. I'd have come sooner but I just got back from Siberia and my flight was delayed."

"I'm Vasilisa Dragomir." I stepped out from behind Guardian Grant. "You worked for Rose?"

"Yes ma'am." Marcel pulled out a little white envelope. "I'd like to personally offer my condolences. Ms. Hathaway and I never spoke about personal matters but I could tell that she cared a great deal about you."

"Thank you." I stepped onto the elevator taking the letter. Grant and Serena stepped onto the elevator watching Marcel like a hawk the entire elevator ride. Neither Grant nor Serena fought me on visiting the hospital and the 3 of us drove in silence while I held Rose's letter in my hands contemplating the possibility of it's contents.

30 minutes later I opened the door to the private hospital room. Inside hooked up to several machines with tubes coming out of his throat and mouth was Guardian Randall Danielson. Randall had been in the parking lot with Rose and when Grant and the other Guardian's arrived Randall was lying among 7 corpses bleeding to death with a knife wound to his throat.

The doctors say it was a miracle that Randall survived the trip to the hospital.

Randall's eyes opened at the sound of the door closing behind me but he was unable to speak due to the tubes. I walked up to the bed taking his hand in mine giving it a gentle squeeze. "Hey- I told you I'd be back. I'd have come sooner but there was an attack at Rose's funeral. I've been on lockdown ever since. How are you feeling today?"

Randall picked up his phone. I'm Good. How R U?

"I'm tired." I admitted taking a seat next to his bed. "Have you had any other visitors?"

No. Only Doctors.

"Any changes?"

I'll never speak again.

"I'm sorry." Randall's eyes shifted to the window of his hospital room and he leaned back against his pillows. "Would you like me to leave?" Randall shook his head and continued staring out the window letting the silence settle between us.

I reached into my bag and pulled out Rose's letter. "A lawyer dropped this off this morning." I held up the little white envelope. "It's from Rose." Randall stared at the letter his eyes widened with a look of surprise.

What does it say?

"I haven't opened it yet." I admitted sitting it in my lap. "To tell you the truth- I'm scared to read it. Dimitri blames me for her death – what if she does too?"

It's not your fault.

"So everybody keeps telling me." I sighed brushing my hair back wiping a stray tear. "I miss her."

I'm sorry.

"You didn't kill her." I forced a smile not liking the dark look on Randall's face. I'd assumed it was guilt. "Hey- Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault."

You should read the letter.

I gathered up as much courage as I could and ripped open the seal. Inside was a single page covered in Rose's scratchy writing. I smiled running my fingers over the dried ink and lifted it to my nose. It smelt like Rose's perfume before I even began reading I could feel the tears building up in my eyes.

"You can do this, Liss." Rose's voice echoed in my ear and for a moment it felt as if she was here with me as I began to read the letter.

28th of September 2016

Dear Lissa,

If you're reading this it means that one of us didn't make it.

I need you to understand something very important- none of this is your fault- whatever decisions I made that led to this are on me. You're one of the two most important people on this planet to me- and you know me better than anybody else so you'll understand why I've written these letters.

I needed to be able to say goodbye to you.

I haven't always understood you – especially when it came to the darkness – but this past year I've fought my own darkness and it's been catching up with me lately. There's this instinct that I have that senses 'danger' or 'darkness' some would say it's paranoia others would say it's years of training and developing my skills.

I guess it doesn't matter anymore- the darkness is closing in, Lissa- or perhaps it already did.

It doesn't matter how it happened or 'who' was the target. I died. I can accept that so long as you're safe and protected. If I know you- which I do- there is a lot going on inside that mind of yours. Questions, confusion, self-pity, and misplaced guilt and deep down inside you're angry with me.

I'm angry with me too.

You're the strongest woman I know, Vasilisa Dragomir. You'll survive this- you have too- It's not just you anymore. You've got to think of Baby Ozera. I wish I could be there to meet him or her- God, I wish I could see the look on Christian's face when you tell him he's going to be a daddy. $100.00 the loser faints. He's going to be a great father.

I've known for a few weeks also if you look in the bottom drawer of my dresser you'll find a present. Don't open it until the baby comes home.

Finally, I need you to know that being your Guardian wasn't an obligation. Protecting you wasn't just a job. Everything I've done since becoming your Guardian I've done out of love. You're my sister, my best friend, and my soul mate. You're the strongest woman I have ever known which is why I know you'll survive this. Look after Christian and Baby Ozera.

P.s. you'll make a wonderful mother.
Love Rose.

Forever.

After I finished reading the letter I had tears rolling down my face as I folded the letter and put it back in my purse. I felt my stomach begin to do backflips and knew straight away that I needed to use the bathroom. Morning Sickness.

I stood from the chair leaving my bag next to my chair and walked quickly into the private bathroom. I closed and locked the door behind me and barely made it to the toilet before I threw up my breakfast from this morning.

I sat on the floor of the bathroom and used toilet paper to dry my face and wipe my mouth. I sat there for a few moments sniffling as I mentally re-read Rose's letter which only made me cry harder.

I miss you so much.

It was still hard for me to accept that I would never see her again… That I would never wake up to the sound of her bickering with Christian while he cooked breakfast just to shut her up. That I'd never again witness that sly smile on her face when she came out of the bedroom from a night of very loud and never ending sex with Dimitri.

On those mornings I'd wanted to kill her myself but I could never stay mad at her.

"…Why couldn't you just follow the plan?!" A muffled voice said from the other side of the bathroom door. "Do you know what'll happen to us if anybody finds out the truth about what happened in the parking lot? I'm not afraid of Zemy- It's Dimitri- I've seen what he does to people who cross him. You have no idea what he's capable of- nobody does- he swore vengeance at the funeral! We're lucky Yeva convinced him to go home but it won't stop him. Nothing. Will. Stop. Him."

I couldn't make out what else was said but I could hear the sound of Randall's heart monitor increasing with every passing second.

"It's better this way." The voice spoke right before two-muffled pew-pew followed by the sound of Randall's monitors flat-lining. I covered my mouth to stop from screaming as I backed into the wall. I prayed to god whoever was on the other side of that door didn't look in the bathroom.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Grant. He answered within two rings. "I'm locked in the bathroom and I think somebody just killed Randall."

Moments later I heard Grant and Serena on the other side of the door. "Unlock the door. It's safe." I crawled to my feet unlocking the door coming face to face with Grant. "Are you okay?"

"Is he dead?"

"Yes." Serena answered from behind Grant.

I felt my hands shaking as Grant lifted them up in front of me. "Look at me, Vasilisa. Focus. Breathe. You're safe. I promise. Did you recognize the killers voice?"

"No. It was muffled through the door…" I trailed off as I remembered what he'd said. "…Grant? Something else happened in that parking lot… Randall wasn't supposed to be working that day and yet he just magically appeared?"

Grant stared at me thoughtfully. "What exactly did you hear?"

"The guy was terrified of people finding out the truth about what happened in the parking lot. However- He wasn't afraid of Zemy though and kept talking about what Dimitri would do if he ever discovered the truth. The guy is terrified of Dimitri."

"What are you thinking?" Serena asked appearing next to Grant with my bag.

"I'm thinking Randall was the mole." Grant confessed after a long pause. "The night of the party there was a breach in the system. It could have only been an inside job. Rose and I were the only two who knew about the breach. Rose thought she'd fixed the issue but when I checked the system on Monday there was a virus in the system. It attacked our communication system, which is why we lost contact with the rest of the team that day. Whoever planted the virus did it was the sole purpose of cutting us off from each other."

"You think Randall was the mole?" Serena asked in disbelief. "The guy can't even spell full sentences let alone hack into a heavily guarded security system and plant an fake virus and an invisible virus that'd wipe out our communications for 30 minutes? That's giving the guy a bit too much credit don't you think?"

"Randall isn't as stupid as he leads people to believe." As much as I hated to consider the fact that Randall would betray I also couldn't deny the facts being placed in front of me. "Rose once told me that all Randall wanted was to be the best."

"That's ludicrous." Serena argued.

"Is it?" Grant questioned Serena. "If our suspicions are correct whoever killed Randall was tying up loose ends to save himself from being discovered… And to be honest with you both- this guy should be afraid of Dimitri. Dimitri might not be himself right now but once he's processed his grief there won't be a safe place to hide and this guy knows it."

Later That Afternoon…

I knelt down in front of the dresser and pulled out the bottom drawer. Inside was a gorgeous pink box tied with a blue ribbon? There was a card sitting on top without an envelope and I couldn't resist the urge to read it.

Congratulations!

Dimitri and I cannot wait to meet the newest member of our family.

We're already calling it Baby Ozera.

P.s. Dimitri is betting $100.00 it's a Boy.

The last thing this world needs is Christian Jr.

Love Always,

Dimitri & Rose.

It was a good thing I was already sitting on the floor because I'm not sure I could have held myself up if I'd been standing. Christmas must have heard me crying because all of a sudden he was sitting on the floor beside me lifting me into his lap as I clung to his shirt sobbing.

"It's not fair." I cried clinging to him.

"I know." Christian whispered stroking the back of my head. "It's not fair, Babe. I miss her too." Christian confessed with a tiny chuckle. "She drove me crazy but I loved her like a sister."

"I know." I sniffled lifting my head. "Somebody murdered Randall today."

Christian tensed as he stared at me processing what I'd just told him. "Y-You visited Randall today didn't you? You said you were-"

"I was in the bathroom when it happened." I confessed. "I heard everything."

"Fucking Hell!" Christian lifted me off his lap as he stormed out of the bedroom. I ran after him following him into the lounge room where Grant and Serena stood in their own heated argument. "Where the fuck were you two!"

"What-"

"Christian! Stop it!" I shouted jumping in front of him. "It's not their fault!"

"They're supposed to protect you!"

"I sent them to get lunch!" I defended. "None of us could have known!"

"Rose never would have left you alone!"

"Don't." Hearing him say her name felt like a stab to my chest. "You're angry, I get it, and you have every right to be but not at Grant and Serena. They're the only people in this world aside from you that I trust completely. They're family."

"If something had happened-"

"I'm safe." I promised stepping towards him. "We're safe." Christian stared at me confused until he looked down at my hand covering my stomach. I was wearing a heavy sweater that hit pretty much everything. I stepped closer to Christian taking his hand placing it on my stomach. "We're safe."

"You're pregnant?"

"Yep." I couldn't help the small smile that lit up my face when I told him. "8 weeks- I've only known for 3. I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out but everything was so crazy and I was scared."

"Did Rose know?"

"I didn't tell her but she knew." I admitted staring down at my stomach. "It's why she sacrificed herself for me." I lifted my head to look at Christian. "She died protecting our baby."

Christian pulled me into his arms and held me tight kissing my temple. "I'm sorry." The apology wasn't directed at me and I felt myself relax a little knowing Christian wouldn't blame Grant and Serena for this morning. "We're having a baby."

I smiled pulling back to look at the dazed look on Christian's face. "You're not going to faint are you? Rose bet $100.00 that you would… You look a little green?"

"God- She is such a bitch." Christian chuckled though I could see the sadness in his eyes. "I'm not going to faint…" Taking a deep breath Christian looked around the room. "…I need sit down."

Grant chuckled pulling out a chair as Christian stumbled to the table. "If he doesn't faint 'now' I've got a $100.00 he'll faint during delivery."

"Fuck you." Christian groaned shaking his head before looking at me. "I'm going to be a Dad."

"Yep." I knelt down in front of him. "We're going to be okay."

Christian placed his hand on my belly underneath my sweater. "We're going to be better than 'okay' because we're not staying here."

"Christian…"

"Listen. Please." Christian pleaded. "It's not safe."

"We're not going to let anything happen to either of you-" Serena vowed looking between the two of us. "-Or the baby."

"We're still moving." Christian insisted. "We talked about getting a cabin in the woods? Let's do it? Pick a place and we'll leave tomorrow. We owe it to our baby to start fresh… It's what Rose would want us to do… Please?"

The idea of leaving the loft tugged at my heart but deep down I knew Christian was right. We owed it not just to ourselves but our baby to start fresh… Rose would want us to move forward and build a future for our child.

"We're going to need something bigger than a cabin." When I saw the look on Christian's face I knew I'd made the right decision. "Will the two of you come with us?"

"You couldn't stop us if you tried."

Ivan Zeklos

"It's not personal."

"Is that what you'll tell Dimitri?"

"Dimitri will never know."

"You will." Rose was calm as she stared at me. "It'll eat you up inside. You think you're tough? You've never had to get your hands dirty. If you do this there is no going back. Ever."

Bang. Bang. I pulled the trigger watching as her eyes widened in surprise before she looked down at her chest. Her white singlet was quickly beginning to soak with blood when she looked up and met my eyes I couldn't hide my guilt as tears rolled down my face.

"It's not personal."

Rose's knees gave out from beneath her and she fell to her knees among the men she'd killed still staring at me. There was darkness in her eyes that sent a chill down my spine- cold, dangerous, full of painful possibilities.

Randall was grinning like a Cheshire cat as he slapped me on the back. "Congratulations." Randall chuckled before approaching Rose's dying body as she laid among the dead gasping for breath. I thought it was over but it all happened so fast that by the time I reacted it was too late.

Rose pulled the blade from her thigh and thrusted it into Randall's throat. The smile that lit up her face as his blood gushed out of his neck and over her already blood soaked body is an image I'll never forget.

"I'll see you in hell." Rose promised her face inches from Randall's face as she pulled out the blade all but assuring that he'd die of blood loss. Moments later the sound of screeching tires came and I knew it was time to go.

I ducked into the alley just as the van smashed through the gates. Four men jumped out of the van looking around the parking lot while another ran towards Rose's lifeless body. "Any sign of the girl?"

"No-"

"For fucks sake! The brat is going to have our heads- I am not taking responsibility for this shit!"

"That's Guardian Hathaway-"

"Is she dead?"

"2 Gunshot wounds to the chest." A Guardian knelt by her body placing his hand on her neck. "Pulse is weak."

"Let's get out of here."

"What about Hathaway?"

"Leave her-" The guy paused listening to his earpiece. "-New orders. The Boss wants Hathaway. Grab her and let's move. Her team is on route."

They loaded Rose into the van and within seconds they were gone. The last thing I saw before they closed the doors was Rose's shirt being ripped open as one of the Guardian's assessed her injuries and tried to stop the bleeding.

I left the alley as fast as I could and got as far away from the city as possible. The last thing I needed was to be seen in the area. I got into the hired town car and drove out of the city until I reached some no-name time in the middle of nowhere.

I found a little hotel and booked in for the next two days. Once I was alone in my hotel room I had to come up with a plan. Rose's body was taken assumedly by the same people who had been sent to take Vasilisa before we'd arrived.

The same guy, Martin Franco, who hired Randall and blackmailed me to help Randall kill Rose, clearly didn't hire the men that Rose killed before we got there. No, those men were legit military guardians with some serious big money to fund their weapons and ride.

If Rose's body didn't turn up there is no way Martin would believe I didn't let her go. He'd kill Dimitri's entire family and then make me watch as he killed Dimitri. The last time I'd spoken to Martin his exact words were-

"One way or another, Mr. Zeklos. Rose Hathaway dies." Martin promised. "Either you kill Rose or we'll kill Belikov. I'll personally see to it myself that he lives long enough to see his baby sister's newborn cut from her stomach. So, what will it be, Mr. Zeklos? Will you kill your best friends girl? Or will you be responsible for his and his entire family's death? Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock."

"You have no idea who you're messing with."

"You're not that scary."

"No." On that I couldn't agree more. "But I'm not Dimitri Belikov."

"We're not afraid of the Russian."

"That's your mistake." Not many people knew what Dimitri Belikov was truly capable of- those who found out never lived long- Dimitri could walk into a room and snap his fingers and people would shit themselves with fear.

I explained it like a light switch… When the lights were on everything was sunny blue skies, and white sandy beaches and with babes in bikini's but when the lights went out the sand was stained red and the babes in bikinis were running in the opposite direction screaming for their lives.

It was a dark place but the scariest part is whenever Dimitri switched the lights back on he walked a little taller, with an extra spring in his step, and a smile on his face and that after glow would last a few weeks.

"What's stopping me from walking out that door and telling Dimitri and Rose everything you just told me?"

"If you walk out that door it's because you've agreed to our terms." Martin shrugged lazily as he poured himself another drink. "There is no way out of this, Mr. Zeklos. I believe your loyalty to Belikov only goes so far. You'll agree to kill Rose not because you really give a shit about Belikov's family but because you'd rather betray your best friend of 20 years then die."

"You don't know me."

"So, prove me wrong." Martin challenged sitting his gun on top of the table. "Or, you could accept the terms and have another drink with me while we wait for my inside man to join us."

I turned on the taps in the hotel shower and stripped off my clothes. I felt disgusting. Like I hadn't showered in months but it'd only been a few hours- the moment the hot water hit my skin the full weight of what I just did hit me and I fell to my knees struggling to breathe.

I'd seriously fucked up! "What the fuck have I done?" I questioned as I sat on the shower floor with the scolding hot water running over my head and down my chest and back.

In the past I called Dimitri to bail me out. It was our system. I fucked up royally and Dimitri fixed it. It wasn't a perfect system but it worked for us. At least it did until Rose came along. The night Dimitri met Rose our system began to shift and slowly bit-by-bit it felt as if I'd lost my brother because all of a sudden Dimitri was all about business, Rose, and getting in the good books with Zemy.

Fucking. Zemy.

I swear Dimka was five minutes away from calling him Daddy and the craziest thing is he didn't appear at all upset by it.

In the beginning I thought Rose was just another challenge. It wasn't unusual for Dimitri to cast a line and reel in a girl only to throw her back after he was finished. The man was a pro and made for an epic wingman.

As it turns out Rose wasn't just another challenge.

Somewhere along the line Dimitri had fallen in love with Rose Hathaway. I'm not going to lie; I didn't like Rose in the beginning but it really hadn't been personal. I could count on one hand the amount of times I'd met Rose.

Aside from being a serious badass – Rose was a lovely girl. Sarcastic. Flirty. Bitchy. Funny. Gorgeous. Rose had a big heart and was extremely loyal to her friends and family. Dimitri couldn't have found a more compatible soul mate if he'd tried.

There was no guarantee that the people who took Rose would let her live… Or that she'd even survive the trip to wherever they were going. There was also no guarantee that there would ever be a body. Unless I could come up with Rose's body in the next 24 hours Martin would no doubt kill me.

However- I had no idea where the men in the van could have taken Rose after leaving the ally nor did I have a way I could track them without alerting Zemy or Dimitri to my involvement.

I was screwed. Royally. I forced myself to stand in the shower and turned off the water before drying myself off before getting dressed in a fresh change of clothes from the duffle bag.

I need a drink.

After speaking to the receptionist I was directed to a bar around the corner and five minutes later I was seated at the bar drinking a beer. I wasn't usually a beer man but anything would do at this stage.

"I haven't seen you around here before." I turned my head at the sound of the woman's voice and was pleasantly surprised by what I found. She was a petite little thing with lily-white skin with curves in all the right places with big brown eyes and short red hair. "I'm Elizabeth- But you can call me Lizzy."

"Hello Lizzy." I grinned patting the stool next to me. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"Sure- I'll have vodka." I ordered two Vodka's leaving the rest of my beer untouched. "Where are you from? The accent isn't from these parts."

"Siberia." I answered.

"You're a long ways from home." I chuckled nodding my head as she placed her hand on my knee. "What do you say we finish this drink back at my place?"

"I've got a hotel around the corner." I suggested brushing the lose stands of her hair out of her face. "I don't bite unless you like it."

Lizzy giggled leaning forward pressing her lips to mine. "Let's go." I paid for the drinks and stood from the bar following Lizzy out of the bar. "So, I never did catch your name?"

Now she's curious about my name? "It's Ivan."

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a travelling business man." I answered placing my hand on her back as I pushed her up against the wall as I kissed her sticky pink lips. "Enough talk- I've had a bad day."

"Let me make it better." Lizzy whispered reaching for my cock through the front of my jeans as she pressed her petite body against mine. "Hotel. Now."

I unlocked the door to the hotel and shoved Izzy inside before shutting the door behind me before I grabbed Izzy by the wrist and pushed her up against the door as I crushed my mouth to hers my hands roaming her body squeezing her gorgeous tits in my hands as my mouth travelled down her throat. "Make me forget."

"Forget what?"

"Everything." I whispered staring into her gorgeous eyes. Lizzy kissed me running her tongue along my bottom lip as her hands unbuckled my belt and reached inside to grab my cock. "Oh god."

"Shh." Izzy dropped to her knees taking my cock into her mouth. I rolled my head back as Izzy sucked on the length of my cock stroking what she couldn't fit into her warm tight little mouth as her other hand massages my balls squeezing and pulling as her teeth gently grazed the tip of my cock.

"Fuck." I grunted burying my hands in her hair as I began to fuck her throat. The sounds she made vibrated on my cock and drove me crazy and had my balls exploding down her throat. "FUCK!"

"Did you like that baby?"

"So much." I grinned wiping her bottom lip. "It's your turn."

Lizzy squealed as I lifted her off the floor carrying her to the bed.

An Hour Later…

"You look sad?"

"I am sad."

"Why?"

"I betrayed my brother."

"How?"

I turned my head and looked at the pretty girl curled next to me. She was so tiny. I trailed the tips of my fingers along her body making her squirm and giggle. I loved when girls did that. It was adorable and sexy at the same time.

"Did you sleep with his girl?"

"No." I smirked shaking my head. "Rose wasn't my type."

"Rose. That's a pretty name."

"It is."

"Are you afraid of what your brother will do if he finds out that you betrayed him?"

"When." I wasn't delusional to think Dimitri would never know the truth. Secrets- especially big ones- have a way of coming out eventually. "And yeah- I'm afraid- men like my brother don't just let that kinda thing slide."

"But you're family?"

"That won't matter when he finds out."

"So shift the blame to somebody else?" Lizzy suggested and I had to admit it wasn't the dumbest idea. "As long as the evidence doesn't lead back to you it'll be fine."

"What are you a cop?"

Lizzy scoffed shaking her head. "Hell No- I'm just good at shifting blame to others."

"You're pretty smart." I grinned pressing my lips to hers.

"What did you do that was so bad?" Lizzy questioned tracing my chest. "I promise I won't tell anybody."

I fell back onto the bed staring at the ceiling not at all that stupid but all of a sudden a plan began to form in my head. All I needed was a body? The right M.E. and forged DNA results. Okay, it sounded pretty complicated but it really wasn't.

"I shot his fiancée." Lizzy was quiet for several moments until I turned my head to look at her. The shock and fear was unmistakable. "You promised you wouldn't tell anybody."

"I-I won't."

I smiled knowing it was a lie as I sat up stroking her cheek pulling her close as I pressed my lips to hers. I hovered above and her pushed her down onto the bed feeling the tension in her body as my hands roamed her body until they reached her neck squeezing my hands around it. "Thank you."

"Ivan-"

After watching the life drain from her eyes I sat next to her on the bed for half an hour before I forced myself to move. The first thing I needed to do was get the body into the trunk of the car and the 2nd think I needed to do was destroy her identity than I needed to find somebody with access to mess with the DNA.

There was a woman I knew who worked in the morgue. She was in major debt to a bookie- almost half a million- I might be able to buy her co-operation.

…Current Time…

I closed my eyes as I felt her fingertips travel up my spine before her naked chest pressed itself into my naked back. I opened my eyes taking in the city view as her hands circled my body and rested on my stomach. "You're trouble- Karolina Belikova."

Karolina bit my shoulder her fingernails digging into my stomach. "You like trouble, Mr. Zeklos."

"I do." I sighed tightening my grip on the railing of my balcony. "But you should go back to bed."

"I can't sleep." That makes two of us. "I keep thinking about Dimka."

"He's a big boy." I insisted knowing how protective Karolina could get. "All any of us can do is be there for him."

"Is that really enough?"

No. "It's what people are supposed to do."

"Right." Karolina sighed resting her chin on my shoulder. "The kids keep re-watching saved snapchat videos of Roza."

"Is that healthy?"

"They miss her."

"They barely knew her."

"That's not true." Karolina snapped. "Roza spent everyday with the kids during their visit and didn't complain once. After Dimka, Roza, Chris and Liss flew home the kids drove her crazy with snapchat messages but she read and responded to every single snap despite everything that was happening with Vasilisa. The kids loved Roza. We all did. She was apart of our family."

"I'm sorry." I apologized turning to face Karolina. "Roza was family. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to undervalue that."

Karolina stared at me with tears in her eyes. "I'm worried about him."

"I know." I whispered closing the space between us as I wrapped my arms around her naked body. "I'm worried about him too."

"What if we lose him?"

"That won't ever happen." I promised tilting her chin back forcing her to look at me. "I promise."

"I love you." Karolina sniffled wrapping her arms around my neck. "When are you going to grow up?"

"Never." I whispered pressing my lips to hers before lifting her off the floor wrapping her long legs around my waist carrying her back to bed. "You know how I feel about you."

"I know." Karolina smiled as I laid her in the middle of my bed. "You don't need to say it-" I love you, Karolina Belikova. I cut that thought and crushed my mouth to hers as I nibbled on her bottom lip sliding my hands down to her breasts as I squeezed and tweaked her nipples making her back arch off the bed. "Ivan."

"Shhh, Baby, let me take care of you." I whispered taking her hands pinning her wrists above her head as I nibbled on her breasts. "You're so beautiful. I'm going to miss you so much."

…Airport…

"Thank you for everything, Ivan." Mama Olena whispered pulling me into a hug before moving onto Jace Sherwood. "It was lovely to meet you, Mr. Sherwood."

"Please. Call me Jace." Jace smiled returning Olena's hug. "I have a feeling we'll be meeting again."

"I'm sure Sonja will be pleased to hear that." Olena smiled rather pleased by the relationship that seemed to have developed over the last week. "My daughter seems rather fond of you. I'd also like to thank you for being such a gracious host."

"It's the least I could do." Jace said before stepping back. "I'm sorry we couldn't have met under different circumstances."

"Don't we all." Karolina answered sitting her suitcase next to me. "Thank you for letting the kids and I crash at your place."

"Anytime." I nodded leaning in pressing my lips to her cheek. "I'll miss you." I whispered in her ear so only she'd hear me. "Look after yourself, Karolina."

"Stay out of trouble."

"I can't make any promises." I chuckled as the rest of the family joined us. "Everybody ready?"

"Yep." Sonja smiled as Jace stepped forward to take her bags. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

"Seriously?" Dimitri smirked looking at Jace. "You really have some balls, Sherwood. You couldn't get my girlfriend so you go after my pregnant little sister?"

"Dimka!" Sonja slapped Dimka's chest. "Jace is being a gentleman."

Jace smiled not at all bothered by Dimka's comment. "Don't worry, Belikov. I'll ask your permission before I ask her to marry me." The look on Sonja's face would have been funny if it wasn't for the murderous look on Dimitri's face. "I'm kidding! Jesus. Would it kill you to relax?"

Dimka rolled his eyes and walked past Jace. "Can you believe that douche?"

"Dimitri Belikov-" Olena scolded. "-Jace is a very nice boy."

"Thank you!" Jace grinned cockily.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I questioned Dimitri forcing myself to look him in the eyes for the first time in days? I'd avoided doing just that because every time I looked at him I was reminded of the look on Roza's face when I pulled the trigger.

Dimitri took a deep breath and crossed his hands over his chest. "Honestly? No. But Yeva is right. I need time to process and grieve and going home will give me the space I need to do that."

"What happens after you finish processing?"

"I start planning." Dimitri answered meeting my gaze. "I'm going to find the son of a bitch who killed Roza."

…One Hour Later…

"The job? Is that what I am?"

"It's not personal."

"It'll eat you up inside. You think you're tough but you've never gotten your hands dirty. If you do this there is no going back. Ever."

"I haven't seen you around here before. I'm Elizabeth- but you can call me Lizzy."

"The love of my life was ripped out of this world and taken from me. Nothing and nobody will stand in my way because if you do I will cut through you and bath in your blood."

"I'm going to find the son of a bitch who killed Roza."

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.

I screamed out in frustration punching the steering wheel several times. I couldn't get any of it out of my head. Faces. Voices. Sounds.

I'm sorry! I'm so fucking sorry! Rose and Izzy's faces appeared every time I closed my eyes- I heard their voices whenever I was alone- and it didn't matter how much I tried to block it all out I couldn't stop Dimitri's words from replying over and over in the back of my mind.

"I'm going to find the son of a bitch who killed Roza."

I had no doubt that when Dimitri discovered the truth he'd kill me. I think Rose knew that too which is why she tried to talk me out of it. I should have listened to her. Rose and Dimitri would have protected his family- they would have found away- I should have trusted them.

It'll destroy him.

I should have trusted them.

"Shift the blame to somebody else? As long as the evidence doesn't lead back to you it'll be fine."

I leaned back into the drivers seat and thought about Izzy's suggestion. Shift the blame to somebody else? Dimitri would never have to know the truth – It wouldn't destroy him and I wouldn't lose my best friend. Dimitri would get his vengeance, and closure, and maybe in time he'll be able to move on.

I already knew who would go down for it. Guardian Randall. The son of a bitch was the inside man- he wasn't blackmailed- there was no gun to his head. He participated for the glory of being able to say he'd killed the legendary Rose Hathaway. Randall wanted to be the best and to be the best you had to take out the best. I didn't understand the reasoning but I wasn't a Guardian.

I reached under the seat and pulled out the gun I'd used to shoot Rose- I'd used the same gun on Izzy before burning the body- it only seemed right that I used the same gun on Randall. I reached into the glove box and pulled out the silencer.

Was I really going to do this?

Yes. Yes. I was.

…Randall's Hospital Room…

I walked into Randall's hospital room and found him sitting in bed staring out the window. When Randall heard me enter his room his head turned and his eyes widened in surprise.

I hadn't been by to visit before but I'd heard through the grapevine that Randall was unable to speak due to the damage the blade did when Rose stabbed him. "Karma. It's a mighty bitch."

Randall stared at me his eyes suspicious but nodded his head.

"It's been a crazy week. Dimitri left town and is on a plane back to Siberia- And I might have killed two women- it's a long story that I won't get into." I waved it off when I saw the questioning look in his eyes. "What happened to the plan?"

Enter the parking lot- Kill Rose- leave. It was supposed to be simple. There wasn't supposed to be taunting bickering back and forth chatter.

"Why couldn't you just follow the plan?" My voice began to raise as I tightened my grip on the end of the bed. "Do you know what'll happen to us if anybody finds out the truth about what happened in the parking lot? I'm not afraid of Zemy- It's Dimitri- I've seen what he does to people who cross him. You have no idea what he's capable of- nobody does- he swore vengeance at the funeral. We're lucky Yeva convinced him to go home but it won't stop him. Nothing. Will. Stop. Him."

I pulled out the gun from the back of my belt and I pointed it at him.

"Rose was right, Randall. There is no going back. Ever." I tilted my head staring at Randall trying to find it within myself to feel bad for him. "It's better this way." I told myself as I pulled the trigger. Pew-Pew.

Jace Sherwood

Night of The Funeral…

I was sitting on the lounge in front of the fireplace with Sonja while she read a book. After the attack at the funeral everybody was on edge and exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally. Once the adrenaline wore off Sonja fell apart and completely lost it.

"Ace?" Sonja yawned snuggling closer into my side.

"Yes?" I pulled the blanket up over her lap. "Are you warm? Do you need another blanket?"

"No- I'm good." Sonja tilted her head back to look at me. "Thank you."

God. Could this woman get any more beautiful? Sonja was a stunning woman and from the first moment I laid eyes on her I was blown away even at 8 months pregnant you could tell she had a killer body underneath her clothes.

"How's the baby?" I needed to distract myself.

"She's kicking." Sonja smiled taking my hand placing it on her belly. "Can you feel that? It's insane."

"It's beautiful." I smiled as I felt the baby's tiny foot hit my hand. "Is it safe for you to fly being so late in the pregnancy?"

"I'll be fine." Sonja promised. "I kinda wish- it's stupid- do you want to watch a movie?"

"Tell me." I pleaded grabbing hold of her wrists. "What do you wish?"

Sonja stared at me her eyes searching mine. "I wish that you could be there when Katya is born."

"Oh." I hadn't expected that.

"It's stupid…"

"It's not." I cut her off lifting her chin. "I'd love to be there."

"Really?" Knowing that I'd put that smile on her face made me incredibly happy. God. I'd live the rest of my life just to see her smile.

"Really." I whispered stroking her cheek. "Sonja-"

"Yes?"

"-I like you."

"You do?"

"Yes."

"As- what exactly?"

Trying to find the right words was incredibly hard so I threw caution to the wind. I took her face between my hands and I kissed her gently yet firmly on the lips taking her bottom lip between mine earning a throaty moan as her hands travelled around my neck climbing into my lap as she deepened the kiss.

I could feel myself losing control as Sonja's hips rolled against my crotch. It almost killed me to end the kiss. "Jesus Christ."

"I like you too." Sonja whispered against my lips the both of us breathing heavily as we tried to catch our breaths. "A lot." I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I stroked her flushed cheeks. "I don't want to stop."

"Sonja-"

"Life is short." Sonja grabbed my hands from her face and stood up. "Let's go to bed? Please?" I'm not going to lie when she looked at me like that I was powerless. I followed her like a dutiful puppy towards my bedroom and opened the door for her closing it behind us. "Nice room."

"Are you sure you want-" I was cut off as Sonja's dress dropped to the floor. I swallowed hard as I took in the pink lacey bra and panties. "-Wow." Sonja lifted my shirt tossing it to the floor before unbuckling my jeans. "-You're on a mission."

"I haven't had sex since I got pregnant." Sonja admitted her voice taking on a new tone of urgency. "I have never been so horny in my entire life!" Sonja kissed me pulling me towards the bed pushing down my pants. "Please. Please. Please."

"Shh." I pulled her against my body as I kissed her sliding my tongue into her mouth as my hands roamed her body squeezing and spanking that glorious round ass driving her crazy. "Let's take these off."

I knelt in front of Sonja kissing her beautiful belly before pulling down her tiny bright pink lace panties. I slid my hand between her legs finding her pussy-dripping wet with juices allowing me to slid two fingers inside her easily. Sonja moaned leaning back against the bed as I lifted her leg over my shoulder allowing me access to taste her with my tongue.

I slid my tongue between the slit teasing her lips before I spread them with two fingers finding her clit and taking it into my mouth circling and teasing it with my tongue as my fingers continued to move inside of her.

Sonja started speaking in Russian but I couldn't understand a word- but fuck me if it wasn't the sexiest thing ever- I buried my tongue inside her cunt and used my thumb to tease her clit and within minutes Sonja came riding my tongue screaming my name as she fell back onto the mattress.

I kissed her clit moving up her body kissing her stomach, breasts, collarbone and neck until I reached her lips claiming her swollen pink lips. "Did you enjoy that?"

"I did." Sonja moaned kissing me. "I've never had a guy do that."

"Fools." I whispered trailing kisses down her neck. "You taste so fucking delicious."

"Ace- I need more." I loved the way her cheeks flushed at her confession.

…The Next Morning…

After everything that happened yesterday I couldn't shake this feeling that something wasn't right- I wasn't one to ignore my gut instincts because they were usually right especially in situations as complicated as the one I currently found myself in.

"Ace-?" Sonja whimpered as I slipped my arm out from underneath her. "-What time is it?"

"It's almost 5." I whispered kneeling on the bed leaning over and pressing my lips to her pouty pink lips. "Go back to sleep."

"Mhmm. K." I couldn't help but smile as I watched her eyes flutter closed as she snuggled back underneath the blanket. "Thank you."

"For what?" I was confused as I sat next to her my hand finding it's way to her pregnant belly. Sonja's hand covered mine and a smile lit up her face but her eyes remained closed.

"For everything."

"Go back to sleep, Baby Girl." I kissed her forehead before climbing out of bed. I closed the bedroom door behind me and made my way into the kitchen where my laptop sat at the kitchen island.

I took a seat at the island and opened my laptop and began the hacking process to access the M.E. Report at the morgue where Rose's body had been taken. Less then 10 minutes later I'd hacked into the morgues system and downloaded Rose's complete file.

In the beginning it was legit until I read the report of where the body was found and the bullet holes in her chest. There were 3 bullet wounds all to the chest but from everything I'd been told about what happened there had only been 2 gunshots.

It's possible Rose didn't die in the ally but was killed somewhere else- I dug deeper into the report and was once again faced with more inconsistencies. I pulled up the name of the M.E. and found out it was Dr. Cassandra Wilkins.

On the surface Dr. Cassandra Wilkins was a highly respected M.E. in her field. She'd worked with law enforcement for over a decade and was the chief of staff at the morgue where she worked. There couldn't have been a more qualified and reliable M.E. to examine Rose's body and find the cause of death.

"She could have had an off day." I thought to myself aloud before shaking off the feeling. No. I hacked into Cassandra's bank accounts, and online activities, and was surprised by what I found. Cassandra had been in debt of over half a million dollars and was about to lose everything. Her email account showed back and forth emails from lawyers threatening to foreclose her house and sue for unpaid fines.

Yet- Less then 24 hours ago receipts were being emailed from the same lawyers with confirmation of successful payments. These weren't small fines either all ranging in the $15.000 upwards to $250.000.

Not only had somebody wiped her entire debt but paid her an advance amount of 50.000 dollars. The most suspicious thing about the money- it was traceable to an offshore account in the Bahamas but the name on the account didn't exist.

"That's a lot of money." I'd been so focused on what was in front of me that I didn't even hear or see Sonja come into the kitchen.

"It really is." I agreed as her left arm wrapped around my neck as she sat a cup of coffee next to my laptop. "Thank you." I glanced at the time on the laptop and couldn't believe that it was almost 7 o'clock. "How did you sleep?"

"Fantastic." Sonja breathed in my ear nibbling on my earlobe. "I wish you'd have stayed in bed and snuggled."

It had been a tempting thought. "You wouldn't have gotten any sleep if I had."

Sonja giggled slipping into my lap as she kissed me. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you, Baby Girl." I pressed my lips to Sonja's nibbling on her bottom lip sliding my tongue along her bottom lip begging for entrance. "If I thought you'd stay I'd ask you too."

Sonja sighed wrapping her arms around my shoulders. "I'd love to stay, Ace. I would. But- I need to be with my family and I want my daughter born in Baia surrounded by family and our culture. It's important to me."

"Hey- I respect that, Baby Girl. I do. I've got a few things I need to look into before I can leave but I'll fly out a few days before Katya is due. Okay?"

"Promise?"

"I promise." I whispered sliding my hand up the length of her thigh until I reached the space between her legs. Sonja was only wearing my t-shirt and was completely naked underneath allowing me complete access.

"WOAH!" Vika screamed slapping her hands over her eyes as she walked into the kitchen. Sonja slid off my lap immediately and covered herself as much as she could. "THAT IS SO GROSS!"

"VIKA!"

"I'M SCARRED FOR LIFE!"

I couldn't help but laugh at the two of them as I stood from the stool. "Whose hungry?" Sonja rolled her eyes at me while Vika just raised her eyebrow. "What? You don't want French toast?"

…That Afternoon…

"Hey- I'll see you soon." I whispered lifting Sonja's chin as she bit her trembling bottom lip and fought to keep her tears from falling. "I promise." I leaned in and captured her bottom lip sighing as her lips parted allowing me access. It was inappropriate in front of her entire family but I couldn't find it in myself to care.

I needed to feel her lips on mine one last time. "Wow."

I chuckled at the dreamy smile spreading across her lips. "I'll see you soon."

Dimitri stepped up next to me as I released Sonja and watched as she walked through the gate onto the plane. "If you hurt her, I'll hurt you."

"I like her."

"You liked Rose."

"No. I lusted for Rose but I never liked her the way I like your sister."

"Stop. Talking." Dimitri shook his head a sour look on his face. "Jace- I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done these last few days. You didn't have too. We weren't friends and to be honest I didn't like you all that much but still you took my family in without complaint or second thought. So- Thank. You."

I smirked turning to face Dimitri. "Weren't? Does that mean we're friends now?"

"Do you always have to be a dick?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." I smirked holding out my hand for him. "Look after yourself."

Dimitri took my extended hand. "I'll see you soon."

"Yes you will."

…That Night: The FBI Forensic Lab…

"Agent. Jace Sherwood." Dr. Felix McGregor greeted as I walked into the lab. "As I live and breathe."

"It's been a while." I grinned embracing my old partner. "Did you get the samples I sent you?"

"Yes. The results should be back any minute. However- it'd be helpful if I could examine in the body."

"I thought you'd say that." Two men wheeled a metal slab into the lab with a body bag on top of it. "The funeral was interrupted and the burial was cancelled. The family decided to cremate the body and I caught it before it went into the fire."

"Did you at least get the families consent?"

"Of course." I lied clapping my hands together. "Thanks boys."

"Did you know the woman?"

"I did."

"Were you sleeping with her?" Felix questioned unzipping the body bag. "Somebody didn't want this girl identified."

"No- I wasn't sleeping with her."

Ding. Ding. "That'll be the results."

"Well- what's the results?"

Felix looked confused as he turned to his computer pulling up stats. "You sent me 4 samples to test plus the original samples from the morgue that ran the original DNA test. Correct?"

"Yeah…" I walked up next to Felix looking at the stats in front of him.

"Okay- Look at this- this is the original sample from the morgue. These are the results from the morgue and these are the results from my lab."

"They don't match."

"No. They don't." Felix pulled up more information in front of him. "Either the morgue's lab technician made a huge mistake and accidentally misplaced the results or somebody deliberately falsified the results on purpose to cover up the true identity of the woman on the slab."

"I hacked into the M.E's financial statements and she received a large sum of money that wiped her debt clean and left her with 50k in savings."

"I suggest you pay the M.E a visit."

"So- just to clarify- there is no way the woman on the slab is in anyway related to either of the parental samples I sent you?"

"None." Felix turned on his seat to look at me. "You don't look as relieved as I'd have thought considering how much trouble you're going too?" I sighed walking away from Felix as I tried to wrap my head around all the information I'd discovered today but it only left me with more questions. "What have you gotten yourself into Jace?"

I ignored him and set about examining the body. "What can you tell me about the body?"

"Female. Caucasian. Late teens – Early twenties." Felix stepped up to the slab examining the gunshot wounds to her chest. "Gunshots were inflicted sometime after death. It's hard to see due to the charred flesh but the discolouring to the ribs indicts the victim was killed before she was shot."

"What's the cause of death?"

"Give me a few hours and I'll have an answer for you."

"Mind if I stick around?"

"I don't mind but Lucile might."

Arh. Lucile. "How is Luci?"

"Bitter."

Right. Right. "Give me a call once you're finished squinting."

"No problem." Felix smirked. "Now get the hell out of my lab."

…The Next Morning…

"What the fuck is he doing here?"

"Dr. Sherwood." Felix shifted uncomfortably. "Arh- Agent- Arh- I mean Jace Sherwood needed assistance with a case."

"Jace doesn't work for the FBI anymore."

"It's good to see you, Lucile."

"Go to hell."

My ex-wife ladies and gentleman. "I thought we agreed to be civil?"

"I've moved past being civil and decided to be pissed. Get the fuck out of my lab before I call security and have your ass thrown out."

"I'll walk you out." Felix muttered grabbing the file off his desk. "I'm sorry about that I didn't think she'd be in until after lunch."

"It's fine." I assured him stopping outside the lab. "What did you find?"

"Female. Caucasian. Late teens. Early twenties. The victim was choked to death and had recently had sex before she died. The DNA found inside the body didn't match any results on file. The victim was shot three times at point blank at least 3 hours after her death before being drenched in gasoline and set on fire in an attempt to destroy the victim's identity. I was able to get a partial fingerprint that I'm still running through the database but if the victim has a record I'll find her."

"Thank you…" I trailed off as my cell phone began to ring. "…I've got to take this. Give me a call if you find anything else." I answered the phone and walked across the parking lot towards my car. "Hello?"

"Jace Sherwood?"

"Yes."

"It's Malcolm. Yesterday afternoon Randall Danielson was murdered and shot twice in the chest. No witnesses."

"You've got to be kidding me." I stopped in the middle of the parking lot. "Where did they send the body?"

"It's being transferred to the city morgue later today."

"On whose orders?"

"Dr. Cassandra Wilkins."

"That cannot happen." I insisted turning back towards the building. "Redirect the body to Dr. Felix McGregor at the FBI Forensic Lab."

"What about Dr. Wilkins?"

"I'll take care of the doctor."

...Till Next Time...

That was Chapter Two.
I hope you guys enjoyed it and I hope that I was able to redeem the story.
A lot happened in this chapter- Lissa received her letter, overheard Randall's death, told Christian that he was going to be a Daddy and made plans to start fresh somewhere new.
I hope it's as easy as it sounds.

Ivan is dealing with his guilt and constantly reliving the murders he's committed all while secretly sleeping with his best friend's sister? There is a twist in there that I'm looking forward to exploring. It was interesting writing in Ivan's point of view but I'm not entirely sure if I feel bad for him.

Jace Sherwood! Damn. I think I've fallen for his character just a little bit and I actually love the idea of Jace&Sonja so who knows where that'll end up BUT he is a good investigator/hacker and I think those skills will come in handy throughout No Mercy.

There is a bit of smut here and there but it's just a taste of what's to come.

ANYWAY! Thanks for Reading! And please don't forget to Review.
Merry Christmas (Or whatever you celebrate) & Happy New Year.

XOXOXO