!ARE YOU READY!

!The time has arrived!

There are several time jumps through the chapter including a jump back in time! Plus, we'll also be hearing from our mysterious government agent! Also, I ended up splitting this chapter in half because it's over 13k words and 25 pages long so I hope you enjoy it as well as what's to come!

WARNING DARK SCENES AHEAD: RAPE, TORTURE, DRUG ABUSE, SUCIDE.

I've loved what I've written and I've read it a few times over and I'm insanely terrified and in-love with what I was able to write for you guys.

Don't forget to show me some love in the reviews!

No Mercy

Rosemarie Hathaway

Chapter Three

Week 8 …

I blinked multiple times trying to adjust to the brightness of the room. I squinted through the bright LED lights in the ceiling and took my surroundings. It was the size of a prison cell, 6 by 8, the walls were white and the bench against the wall was made out of surgical steel with locks on the doors beneath it. There was a toilet and washbasin in the corner. I looked above me and flinched at the harshness of the lights, after my eyes had a chance to adjust I was able to see the medical equipment that surrounded me.

There was a boxed light on the wall with x-rays showing three broken ribs along my right side along with a broken collarbone. I struggled to remember how I got here but the last thing I remembered was the look of surprise in Randall's eyes when I pulled out my knife from his throat.

My head felt like it was about to explode. Thump. Thump. Thump. It felt like there was a drummer inside my skull. I raised my hand to touch my head only to find both my wrists handcuffed to the hospital bed.

I sat up against the pillows and tugged on the cuffs. It was hopeless. I'd have to break both my wrists and every bone in both my hands but before I did that I'd have to cut off my feet to escape the chains around them.

I hated to point out the obvious but this wasn't looking good.

The pain in my chest reminded me of the events in the parking lot. 'It's not personal.' Bang. Bang. I instantly touched my chest and looked down finding myself in a hospital gown. I pulled on the front of the gown and it came away with ease.

I wasn't sure what I expected to find when the gown fell away but it wasn't an 8inch surgical incision in the center of my chest with two healed bullet holes above my left breast. How the fuck was I alive?

My medical training was as basic as it got- however- I had enough experience with scars and gunshots that told me that the scars I was looking at while still pink and sensitive were healing nicely.

If I had to guess how much time had pass I'd say anywhere between 6 and 8 weeks.

My heart started to race and my palms began to sweat as the reality of the situation began to set in… I was alone in a tiny room the size of a prison cell, my hands and feet were chained to the bed, and I'm pretty sure there was a catheter attached to my body and from looking at the scars I'd been here a while.

The fact that Dimitri, Abe, or Lissa weren't here told me that they didn't know where I was or if I was even alive. I was alone.

Silver lining? "At least I'm still alive."

I looked down at my left hand not surprised to find my engagement ring missing. Comrade. There was nowhere else I wanted to be then back in our suite. I closed my eyes and rested my head back against the pillows.

If Dimitri and Abe thought I was dead there was nobody out there looking for me- Abe would no doubt be seeking revenge and if Yeva received my letter than Dimitri would hopefully be with his family where he belonged anywise he'd be working alongside the man who shot me.

It's not personal.

Focus! This isn't getting us any closer to getting out of here… I wasn't going to sit around and wait to be rescued and if my 'rescue' team thought I was dead then there would be no 'Operation Rescue Rose' so I needed to work with what I had and right now- I had nothing.

I wasn't in a position to escape and I really needed to pee! And while I'm sure I'd been using the catheter for a few weeks now I couldn't bring myself to use it now. I looked around the bed searching for the nurse's button and released a sigh of relief when I found it hanging off the side of the bed.

I didn't have to wait long before a Nun, yes; a motherfucking NUN habit and all appeared on the other side of the steel door. You've got to be kidding me.

"Hallelujah! You're awake!"

She's one of those nuns! "Praise God…" I trailed off as I watched the nun as she unlocked and opened the heavy metal door. "I have to pee."

"Of course!" The friendly nun stepped further into the room smiling brightly as she approached the bed. "I'm Sister Fiona. I'm a nurse."

"I'm Rose. I'm not exactly sure what I am here." I smiled holding up my wrists still chained to the bed. "Care to explain the cuffs, Sister? I'm all for foreplay but I wouldn't have thought I was your type."

The sister's face blushed beetroot red. "Oh my- Um- I believe it's for your own safety as well as the staff. The gentleman that brought you in seemed to believe you were a danger to yourself and to others."

"Does this Gentleman have a name?"

"I'm afraid I didn't catch it." Sister Fiona frowned pulling up a bedpan. "It's not very dignifying but it's more comfortable then the catheter. I'd allow you to use the toilet but I don't have the keys to the cuffs and to be honest I don't believe you'd have the strength to make it to the toilet."

"How long have I been here?" I questioned deciding to find out as much as I could from the talkative nun. "The scars look a few weeks old."

"8 weeks this Sunday."

8 Weeks! "Sister Fiona?"

"Yes."

"Where am I?"

She looked at me like she was confused. "Briarcliff Hospital."

No. No, motherfucking way. "There has to be some kind of mistake."

"Just relax, Sweetheart. You're perfectly safe. We're a state of the art health care facility. We're equipped to deal with all kinds of troubled and unfortunate souls."

I laughed like a lunatic as I fell back against the pillows. This was a sick joke. Briarcliff was the worst of the worst hospitals in the world! My father once said that the inmates of Briarcliff didn't arrive insane – it was the hospital itself combined with the sadists in charge that made them that way.

You didn't leave Briarcliff the same way you arrived- if you were lucky enough to survive the treatments prescribed by the good doctors who worked here.

"Now that you're awake Dr. Augustine will want to speak with you."

Dr. Augustine? "Who?"

"Dr. Augustine is the head of this institute. He's also the wonderful surgeon who operated and saved your life with god's blessing." Sister Fiona was clearly a fan of this big shot surgeon. "He's a wonderful man."

Oh, I'm sure he's just a big ball of sunshine and roses. "Perhaps Dr. Augustine will be inclined to remove my cuffs?"

Sister Fiona lifted my wrist her eyebrows frowning together as she took in the red marks around my wrists. "My Goodness! You poor thing, I'll speak to Dr. Augustine at once. You seem like such a lovely young girl."

Oh Sister… "I'd very much appreciate it, Sister Fiona. Um- Do you think I could bother somebody for a drink of water?"

"Of course!" Sister Fiona grabbed a cup from the bench and filled it with water from the basin. "You must be hungry too?"

Now that you mention it- I'm Fucking Starving! "I could eat."

30 minutes later there was a tray of- food?- sitting in front of me. I questioned it because never in my life had I ever smelt anything so vile. I cringed poking the green slop with my fork- it looked like there were peas and corn mixed into the slop.

I picked some up on the end of my fork and brought it to my lips. Eat it. You need your strength. I sat back against the pillow letting the slop fall back onto the tray. It occurred to me in this moment just how spoilt I had been.

My father was a semi-competent cook even with a personal chef on hand- even after I started school there was a team of chefs who supplied 3 main meals a day and after graduation there was CHRISTIAN! God damnit.

I'd kill for a plate of bacon. Forget the eggs, toast, and sausage. A big plate of crispy bacon. Thinking about bacon of course got me thinking about Dimitri and all the play-fights we'd had over bacon after having sex, which usually led to more sex on the kitchen bench.

The memory wasn't just a reminder of how spoilt I was- but also a reminder that I had somebody out there who I needed- wanted- to get home too.

I sighed staring at the green slop in front of me I tried again. I forced my mouth open and almost gagged as the disgusting chunky gravy touched my tongue. It was easily the worst thing I'd ever put in my mouth.

I kept eating knowing if I didn't I'd only get weaker- If I wanted to escape this hospital I needed all the strength I could get. Once I finished the slop I glanced at the moldy bread cringing. I can't do it.

"It's good to see you've got an appetite." Dr. Augustine, I'd assumed, spoke as he entered the cell with a folder on his arm. The label read: patient R.H.

Rose Hathaway.

Dr. Augustine stood at 6' feet tall with short grey hair that was combed back. The good doctor wore a navy blue suit- unless you knew labels- you wouldn't be able to tell that it was a cheap suit you could pick up at target despite his cheap taste in suits Dr. Augustine had an air of arrogance about him.

The man clearly loved himself and considered himself god's gift.

"Good morning, Rose."

"Dr. Augustine, I assume."

"You'd assume correctly." Dr. Augustine smiled sitting on the edge of the bed, placing his hand on my thigh, his thumb running in small circles. I felt the slop in the back of my throat threaten to make reappearance. "I'm glad you're finally awake."

Me too. "From what I hear it's all thanks to you."

Dr. Augustine chuckled his eyes roaming across my body. "Yes. You're welcome."

I bit my tongue as I stared at his hand on my thigh. "Dr.-"

"How much do you remember?"

Every bone in my body told me to lie. "Nothing. The last thing I remember is entering a car park with my girlfriend."

"A lesbian?!" Sister Fiona gasped. "God bless you-"

"No…" I trailed off glancing at her. "…Liss is a girl- who's a friend- I'm engaged. My fiancé is probably worried sick."

The moment I mentioned the word fiancé Dr. Augustine's entire expression changed. His hand tightened on my thigh and his eyes darkened. It took mere seconds for the façade he'd worn in here to completely disappear.

I'd met a lot of sadist in my time- I'd even dated a few- but never had I met a sadist quite like Dr. Augustine. His eyes had turned black and I felt as if I'd just opened the gates to hell. For the first time in my life I truly believed I was staring into the eyes of a true monster.

Dr. Augustine wasn't a man I wanted to piss off nor was he a man I wanted to be left alone with. A sadist with a PhD was a sadist you didn't want to cross.

My need to escape increased and so did the risk if I was caught.

God. Help. Me.

2 Weeks Later…

Dear God.

FUCK YOU!

I stared at the door of Dr. Augustine's exam room. Otherwise known as hell on earth. The first time he'd taken me in there it reminded me of a dentist office with an old fashioned surgical table in the center. It looked like something out of a British movie I saw once on Netflix.

It was the first time Augustine had uncuffed me since I'd woken up- I'd been looking for a way to escape for days- and in that moment I thought to myself. This is it. I'm free. The moment the needle touched my arm any desire I had to escape disappeared.

I felt amazing! I couldn't hold my head up or speak to save my life BUT I didn't give a fuck. Why? For the first time since I'd woken up I wasn't here. I was there. And being there was better than being here. Clearly- I'm still a little groggy from the drugs but you know what I mean.

"Here is not here." I'd also started talking to myself. Clearly. I was losing my fucking mind but I wasn't the only person I had to worry about. On the other side of that door was a girl named Calliope. It didn't matter how much medicine Augustine gave me- I couldn't shut out her screams- the sound of her crying killed my buzz almost immediately.

Please. Stop! Please. I don't want too. Stop. No. Please. She'd scream over and over and over until finally she'd pass out from either the pain or the exhaustion. There were days Calli couldn't even talk because her throat hurt so much- yet everyday- he'd take her back into that room and do it all again and she'd scream, and beg, and cry for parents. Daddy- help me. Mommy- I want my mommy.

Calliope was 16 years old.

The door to the exam room opened and Calliope's naked, burnt, and trembling body was thrown into the office. She landed on her hands and knees sobbing with her head down in front of me. I balled my hands into fist and looked at the monster in the doorway.

"I'm bleeding-" Calliope stopped crying, her entire body going still, as blood dripped from her nose onto the floor- seconds later her body began to violently convulse as she collapsed to the floor. I screamed trying to reach her though knowing there was no point. The seizers were a reaction to the drugs combined with the electrotherapy.

Augustine stared at her as if the seizer was an inconvenience. "I wasn't finished with her." Turning his dark green eyes onto me a sinister smile lit up his face. "How about a 2nd round?"

I'm going to kill you.

"If only all my girls were as strong as you." Augustine lifted my chin kissing my lips before lifting me out of the chair. I couldn't have fought back if I wanted too. Augustine carried me into the exam room and laid me on the surgical bench- my hands and feet bound- we both knew I couldn't run even if I wanted too but Augustine liked the restrains. "So beautiful."

I stared at the ceiling wanting so badly to be there instead of here. It was nicer there. There was a big bed- lots of pillows- and food that wasn't moldy or tasted like vomit. And he was there too. When I was there and not here- all I really saw was him- I think he was real but who can tell these days.

I wasn't here. I was there. I wasn't here. I was there. I wasn't here. I was there.

"ARHHH!" I screamed pulling on the restrains with all my strength as the electricity spread throughout my body. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Please. God. Give me the strength. I wasn't here. I was there. I wasn't here. I was there.

"You can end this at anytime." I flinched at the sound of his voice next to my ear. "Say. It."

"I'm going to kill you." I promised staring at the ceiling. "ARHHHH!"

"Such a stubborn girl… Would you look at that? Calliope is awake- the fun continues!"

I wanted to scream at him to leave her alone- to tell him that he didn't need her because had me- but the sick truth is I was relieved. Augustine dragged Calli into the room by her hair and made her stand next to me as he forced her head down and unbuckled his belt.

First. It he'd flog her with his belt and than he'd rape her.

I'm going to kill him.

"Rose- I want you to watch- if you look away I'll press the button." Calliope screamed as the belt hit her ass. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6- I couldn't keep count nor could I reach her hand to hold it. I hated this. I hated him. Augustine continued to flog Calliope with his belt until her knees gave out and the welts on her ass were bleeding but it wasn't over.

If it's the last thing I do- I swear- I'll kill him.

"ARRHHHHH!"

It was never going to end. I wasn't here. I was there. I wasn't here. I was there. I wasn't here. I was there. I'm not sure how much longer I could do this.

2 Weeks Later…

My body trembled with aftershocks from the electrotherapy as I knelt on the floor of my cell. It was complete darkness. No windows. No lights. No electricity. No running water. It was a tiny, damp, cell specifically meant to drive me insane- and it was working.

"You can end this at anytime." Augustine murmured kissing my neck. "Just say the word."

There was a battle waging inside of my head. The old 'me' screamed bloody murder and told me to turn around and snap his neck. It'd be quick but at least it'd be over. The 'me' of now begged and pleaded for peace- to end her suffering- but she'd never win.

A single tear slid down my cheek as I stared into the darkness of my cell. I remained silent refusing to acknowledge his presence in the room but it was easier said than done. Augustine laughed softly as he stood up from behind me. "You will break, Love. It's just a matter of time."

The only sign that he'd left the cell was the sound of metal scraping metal as the door closed. Click. Bang. The deadbolt latched trapping me inside with the darkness. I couldn't remember the last time I felt the sun on my skin.

How long had it been? Days? Weeks? Months? I'd lost track a long time ago. Everyday that passed I could feel myself slipping further and further into the darkness. I kept praying for a miracle but it never came. Only pain- darkness- and death surrounded me.

I placed my hands on the floor- I could feel the thick mold beneath my hands- squishy like mud beneath my fingers. The first time he'd thrown Calliope and I in this cell together- I'd gagged for an hour- I hadn't eaten in days so there was nothing to throw up. You never got used to the smell of it but you learned to co-exist.

I forced myself to stand and stumbled against the wall. I rested my forehead against the cold wet concrete wall and closed my eyes as I breathed deeply- I froze as the smell of her decaying body filled my nostrils- I held back the sobs that rocked my body but couldn't hold them in any longer as I collapsed on the floor.

"Calliope."

Cali had killed herself yesterday… Or was it a week ago?

Memory …

I held Calliope's lifeless body in my arms trying to stop the bleeding- it'd stopped hours ago- but that didn't stop me from trying to save her. I tried. I didn't know what she was going to do until I heard her whimpering from her corner of the room.

Her last words were- "I'm finally free."

I kissed her forehead and rocked back and forth as I held her.

"Well that's an inconvenience." Sister Fiona sighed stepping into the cell shining her torch directly at the two of us. "Get up. It's time for your bathe- Dr. Augustine instructed you eat something today- and then we'll pray for forgiveness for Ms. Calliope's soul."

She appeared as an Angel, only she wasn't an Angel, not even close. Sister Fiona was the Devil's favorite child dressed in disguise to fool you into believing she'd come to save you before delivering you to the Devil himself.

"I'm not leaving her-"

"Gentlemen!" Sister Fiona called to the guards smirking as they walked in. One of them grabbed me by my arm and lifted me off the floor- I fought against them and I even managed to land a few punches but I was weak- all it took was one hard slap across the face and I was thrown across the room. "Take her to the showers- hose her down- I'll prepare her breakfast."

After the shower I was dressed in a hospital gown and forced into the cafeteria. This was the only other time I was allowed around others- I wasn't allowed to talk or interact with them in anyway- but I enjoyed being around other people even if they were insane.

Today's meal was a glass of brown water, a moldy piece of toast and half a cold sausage that had started to grow it's own hair. I couldn't remember the last time I'd eaten and I'd long past the point of caring was placed in front of me.

I couldn't afford to lose any more weight- I barely had the strength to hold myself up- since waking up in this hellhole I'd lost half my weight as well as my mind. There were days when I couldn't even remember my own name.

"It's time for prayer." Sister Fiona picked up my empty plate and handed it to a passing nun. I stood from the seat- I was still wobbly on my feet- I used the wall along the hall to keep up with her as we walked towards the chapel.

Before Calliope had died she'd used the same plastic spoon she'd used to cut her wrists to carve both our names into the wall along with those before us. Gina. Alicia. Jenny. Trina. Ricky. Denise. Kelly. Sam. Cami. Bonnie. Anne. Belinda. Calliope. Rose.

My name was last- Rose.

Calliope and I had sworn that we'd survive. That our names would be the last to go on that wall- but Calliope hadn't been strong enough. Augustine had broken her like he planned to break me. The moment she got the chance to end it- she slit her wrist- because dying was no longer the worst thing that could happen to her.

Sister Fiona prayed for Calliope's damned soul- and prayed for me- and that god find it within his heart to forgive 'me' for all my sins. My list of sins were long- sex out of wedlock, cursing gods name, murder, torture, lying- just to name a few but none of that even compared to Sister Fiona and Dr. Augustine's list of crimes against god.

Sister Fiona spent half an hour in the church before announcing it was time for my medicine. This was the first walk I'd taken to Dr. Augustine's office without Calliope- it was lonely- and it'd take a while for him to replace Calliope. Dr. Augustine was very particular about his 'special' patients.

I'd kill him before he touched another girl.

Sister Fiona knocked twice before entering Dr. Augustine's office. Augustine was seated behind his desk with my file and medicine sitting next to him- I hated the way my heart raced with anticipation- longing- I wanted to be anywhere but here.

Sister Fiona restrained me to the chair before leaving while Dr. Augustine spent half an hour writing notes in the file on his desk before he closed the folder and picked up my medicine. I expected him to speak about Calliope but it was if she wasn't even important enough to mention- I would have brought her up myself but the needle found its vein and my head rolled back as I reluctantly moaned.

Present …

I hated myself for the thoughts I had- I hated how weak I'd become- If looked in the mirror I don't think I'd recognize myself. I can't tell you how many times I contemplated taking the broken plastic spoon hidden in the crack against the wall and slitting my own wrists. I'd be free.

There was a time in the night when everything was still- the screams from the other prisoners and patient's stilled- the footsteps of the guards faded and all you could hear for several minutes was quiet. It was the most peaceful time of the night and in those rare special few minutes of absolute quiet I found myself sitting in the corner across from her body holding the spoon in my hand.

I'd close my eyes and place the sharped end at my wrist and every time I thought 'this is it. I'm going to do it.' I'd see the face of the man who appeared when I was here but not here. I couldn't recall his name but I was certain he was real- that he was out there looking for me- every night in my dreams he'd find me and wrap his arms protectively around my body and every morning when I woke up- I was torn between regretting not slitting my wrists and being thankful for one more day.

I was scared that if I failed in my promise to kill Dr. Augustine God himself would never allow me to see that man's face again- that fear along with the voice in my head- the old me- she pushed me to continue fighting so I could escape and get back to him.

I was so tired of fighting- I wasn't sure how much I had left in me- it didn't matter though because that voice inside my head always won. I'd place the spoon back into the crack against the wall and I'd sit back in the corner and wait for Nurse Fiona to return.

While I waited I'd close my eyes suddenly I wasn't here- I was there- and so was he. The man was so beautiful- his eyes were a dark chocolate brown- rich and beautiful so full of life and love- and his jaw was strong and he stood so tall and proud. Powerful. It was another word I'd use to describe him.

The scent of his aftershave and soap seemed out of place among the damp, cold, moldy, piss, shit, and decay that surrounded me. I'd bury my face in his chest and I'd hold onto him like he'd disappear at any moment but the truth was- he was not here because he was there and I was here.

"Roza." I loved the sound of his voice especially when he said my name like that. It rolled off his tongue with accent thick and clear. Russian. He'd kiss my forehead, my nose, my cheeks, and then finally my lips. "Don't forget who you are."

My name is Rose. I'm Rose. I'm Rose.

No Mercy

Dimitri Belikov

Week 8 …

My eyes were closed as music filled the room- it was loud and vibrated the floors- the curtains were closed and the room was in complete darkness. I kept my eyes closed as I felt Lynne's body lying next to mine with her head on my chest as she traced the scar from the bullet I'd taken in Vegas.

Lynne and I had dated after High School and broke up when I left for America with Ivan. After I arrived home we'd reconnected over drinks- it was nice having somebody to drink with who didn't ask stupid questions or say stupid things trying to be helpful.

Lynne was funny, carefree, and didn't do heavy topic conversations.

After a particularly bad day I found myself at the bar. Lynne pulled up a seat beside me and threw back my drink without even asking, I'd turned in my seat and looked at her- but something made me stop- I don't know what it was but the next minute we were behind the bar in the ally.

Flashback …

I grabbed hold of Lynne's jeans and pushed them down to her knees. I slid my hand down between her lungs cupping her pussy as I stroked her cunt through the fabric of her panties- Lynne moaned like a bitch in heat as her hands fisted against the brick wall her forehead dropped down as she moved her hips against my hand. "Dimka- Fuck me."

I removed my hand and buckled my belt- my cock sprung free and I stroked it twice- I didn't have any condoms. Lynne reached into her bra and handed me one with a wink. I ripped open the packet with my teeth and spat it onto the ground before rolling the condom over my cock.

"ARHH!" Lynne screamed as I spread her legs and thrusted inside of her. Fuck. I pulled out and thrusted back in burying my hands in her hair as I pounded her pussy- I closed my eyes and let my head roll back the only sounds in the alley were Lynne's moans and the sound of our skin slapping together. "Fuck- H-Harder- I'm cumming- I'm cumming."

I fisted my hand in her hair pulling her head back as I spanked her ass. I was close- but I could feel it slipping away- no no no- I closed my eyes and I tried to think of anything to keep my cock hard until the finish line. It was right there.

Never once- in my entire life- had I ever gone flaccid mid-fuck and I wasn't about to start now. Suddenly- I wasn't fucking Lynne anymore it was her. Roza. I pulled out and spun her around lifting her against the wall as I buried my cock back inside her ripping open her shirt as I buried my face between her tits biting sucking.

"Roza." I whimpered squeezing her ass in my hands as she bounced up and down on my cock. Lynne screamed throwing her head back burying her hands in my hair as she cum- I thrusted once, twice, three times and grunted burying my head against her shoulder as I cum.

Once our breathing returned to normal I pulled out and disposed of the condom. I pulled up my pants and buckled my belt running a hand through my hair- the first day back and the first thing I did was cut my hair- Sonja had neatened it up but it was a lot shorter than I was used too.

"Dimka-" Lynne whispered wrapping her arms around my back. "-Hey, it's okay."

I chuckled lifting my face to the sky. "Let's not pretend anything about that was okay…" I pulled away from Lynne and stared at her. "…You should hate me."

"I don't." Lynne shrugged shoving her hands into her pockets. "You lost the woman you love, Dimka. It's fresh. Would I have preferred you call out my name while fucking me? Yes. Is my ego a little bruised? Yes. However- I'm your friend and I care about you. I have no illusions of us ever getting back together however that doesn't mean we can't fuck each other's brains out; Right?"

Present Day …

Lynne giggled falling back against the pillows her breasts bouncing. I smiled placing a kiss on both of her round breasts before I sat up reaching for the Vodka. I grabbed a couple of the pills from the disk and threw them back washing them down.

Lynne climbed behind me kissing my neck as she took the vodka. I leaned back against her as her fingers ran through my hair. "I thought you'd never wake up."

"I've been awake for a while." I closed my eyes as I heard the giggle from the floor. "Morning ladies." I opened my eyes as Greta and Nici stood naked at the foot of Lynne's bed. I pat the spot beside me as Nici climbed onto the bed crawling up beside me resting her head on the pillows.

I looked back at Greta as she stepped onto the bed and walked towards me. I grabbed hold of her hips to stable her and leaned forward kissing her stomach before sliding my tongue between her slit teasing her clit as her fingers knotted themselves in my hair. "Oh my god…"

I moved to my knees grabbing her by the waist as I flipped her onto her back. My heart was racing and the room was spinning- the music pounded in my ears- I spread Greta's legs and buried my face between her legs thrusting my fingers into her pussy.

I kissed a path a long her body between her tits- I grabbed them both squeezing- I nipped and sucked at both her nipples looking up at her as Lynne sat on her face playing with her own breasts. "Fuck-" Nici pushed me back down onto the mattress and straddled my waist grinning victoriously.

"I'm going to take good care of you." Nici bit my bottom lip taking my hands and placing them above my head. I head was beginning to spin and the music all began to blur into one long series of noises. Limbs, hands, lips, breasts, nipples, pussy- it all blurred into one big mess before fading into darkness.

2 Weeks Later …

"All you ever do is drink!" – "Where did you stay last night?" – "Why didn't you come home?" – "Nobody has heard from you in days!" – "We thought you were dead in a ditch!" – "What would Roza say if she could see you now?" – "Are you high!" – "When was the last time you shaved?" – "Are you seeing Lynne?" – "That woman is toxic!" – "Ask God for guidance." – "You can't just stop living, Dimitri!" – "We're family you don't get to walk away!" – "Drinking is only going to make it worse." – "It gets easier." – "You'll move on when you're ready." – "All any of us want is to be there for you." – "Let us help you." – "You're disgusting!" – "How many women have you fucked this week?" – "You're just like our father!" – "Run away, Dimka! That's what you do best." – "I thought coming home would help you." – "You're a lost course." – "You're wasting your life away!" – "I don't even know who you are anymore." – "Give me the pills, Dimitri." – "You're better than this."

"You look like shit, Dimka." Father Boris spoke as he took a seat next to me on the steps of the church. "I haven't had the chance to pass on my condolences- I met Rose during your last visit- she seemed like a lovely young woman."

The memory of that visit brought the first genuine smile to my lips. It felt odd. From the moment I answered the call telling me that something had happened to Roza I'd simply been going through the motions of life. It felt as if I'd stopped living at the same time she did.

"Rose wanted to get married here." I admitted picturing myself standing at the end of the aisle as the double doors opened- I imagined her in a white strapless dress and she'd be holding onto Abe's arm as he walked her down the aisle- it would have been a traditional wedding. "I asked her to marry me the night of her 20th birthday. She was killed the next day. We didn't get to plan our wedding day like most couples do but the one thing we did discuss was the location. Baia."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." I whispered leaning back on my elbows. "You didn't kill her."

"Is there any news on who did?"

I shook my head lifting my gaze to the blue sky. "My family is angry with me."

"You're family isn't angry, Dimitri. They're scared. Even the little ones- Zoya asked me to help her pray- I asked her what she'd like to pray for and she looked up at me with tears in her little brown eyes. 'I want to pray to God to return Aunty Roe from heaven so Uncle Dimka will smile again' most little girls pray for a new doll, a pretty dress, or sweets."

"If only it was that easy."

"I lost my wife-" Boris confessed and I looked at him in surprise. "-My first wife. Anne." He clarified pulling out a flask from his jacket pocket. "This flask and I became good friends."

"How did you get over Anne?"

"I didn't- I'm still very much in-love with Anne." Boris stared at the flask deep in thought. "I'm also in-love with Selene. I wasn't looking for love- I didn't think I was capable of it- Lenni and I were friends for almost a decade and one day I looked across the room and there she was. She took my breathe away in that moment and even though I denied it for a long time- I knew- that I was finally ready to make room in my heart for another woman."

Boris and I sat in silence for several minutes before he spoke again.

"Everything you're feeling- I've felt." Boris admitted. "Everything you've done since coming home- I've done. I also know how dead you feel on the inside- how worthless- I know what it's like to look into the mirror and be disgusted by what you see."

"The way I'm feeling on the inside- I wish I couldn't feel anything at all." I admitted hearing the way my voice cracked. "My heart feels like it's about to break out of my chest. It hurts. The pain of losing her- it's too much- I wish I'd died too. I might as well have because THIS- this isn't who I am."

"Perhaps it's time you figure out who Dimitri Belikov is without Rose Hathaway… Find a hobby to focus on- what did you enjoy doing before you met Rose?"

2 Weeks Later …

I switched on the light and walked down into the basement. I'd blacked out the windows and soundproofed it as much as I could as music played from the dock in the corner of the room.

"Ghnmmh." My hostage tried to scream against the gag in his mouth. His blue eyes glared at me as he struggled in his seat- I'd restrained him to chair bolted to the floor and drilled his hands to the wooden arm rests.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Gardaí." I apologized unapologetically as I pulled up a stool in front of him. "Where were we? – that's RIGHT! You were about to tell me who hired you to kill my fiancée."

"Grrhh!"

I pulled the gag from his mouth. "-Who hired you?"

"Fuck. You."

"Wrong. Answer." I picked up my drill and placed it at his shoulder and without a 2nd thought I drilled. Mr. Gardaí screamed thrashing against the seat, which only tore at his hands and feet more. I'd drilled 5 screws into each of his toes. I removed the drill from his shoulder and placed it at his belly button. "I'm not going to lie. This is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me."

"Fuck. You."

I chuckled to myself as I started up the drill taking pleasure in the sounds of his screams as they bounced off the walls around us.

"Look at me, Mr. Gardaí. I'm going to kill you- I can see that you know that but what you tell me could be the difference between a quick and painless death OR I can draw it out and make you watch as I kill your son and daughter. Samuel and Sarah? Such innocent little doves- they'd be all alone- you know since your wife abandoned them 3 years ago to sail the ocean with her Brazilian lover."

At the mention of his children Mr. Gardaí's blue eyes shot to mine. "You're bluffing."

"No. I'm not."

"You wouldn't hurt children."

"Are you willing to bet that on your children's lives?"

"If I tell you-"

"Yes?"

"-You'll stay away from my kids?"

"Cross my heart."

Mr. Gardaí stared at me nodding. "I was apart of an extraction team. I was in the 2nd van with 6 others; I'd never met them before with the exception of the team leader- Daniel Travis. He's a priest."

"A priest? You're joking?"

"No, I'm not. It's rather ironic wouldn't you agree?"

"What happened during the extraction?"

"The first team was sent in to retrieve the target- Ms. Dragomir- but they were met by the head of Ms. Dragomir's security team. Guardian Hathaway. She killed all seven of the men plus one of her own."

"Guardian Randall? Why would she kill her own man?"

"That's above my pay-grade. The guy was bleeding out from a knife wound to his throat and she was holding a bloody knife- 1+1=2- Guardian Hathaway had two GSW's to the chest and was bleeding out. Fast. Daniel was pissed that the team didn't secure the target and wanted to leave but one of the men recognized Guardia Hathaway- next thing I know Daniel was receiving new orders- to save her life. One of the members of our team was a trauma surgeon as soon as he was given permission he started working on her."

"Rose died anyway."

"Again. That's above my paid grade." Mr. Gardaí spat blood out of his mouth. "Travis and the surgeon were the last people I saw with your fiancée."

"Do you know the surgeons name?"

"No. But if anybody knows his name it'll be Travis."

"How do I get in contact with Travis?"

"My phone- his contact details are in my phonebook. It'll end in 4284."

"Thank you for your co-operation." I pulled the gun from my belt and pointed it at his head pulling the trigger. His head fell back with the impact of the bullet and his brains blew out the back of his head splattered across the basement wall.

I pulled out my cell phone and texted the next name to my contact at the FBI.

Daniel Travis-

Catholic Priest.

4 Weeks Later … (Total: 4 Months)

I sat on the edge of the bed staring out at the ocean as the full moon reflected off it's surface. The wind chimes outside clanged together against the breeze. The bed shifted behind me and without turning back I knew it was Greta and Nici.

Bang. The balcony doors swung open with the force of the wind. I climbed out of bed and walked to the doors to shut it- Greta and Nici remained sound asleep- they were so high I doubted a tornado could wake them up from their slumber.

I froze in the doorway of the balcony as I caught sight of her. Roza. I was afraid if I blinked she'd disappear. Roza's back was to me as she looked out at the ocean her hair and wind blew in the wind making it appear as if she was floating where she stood.

I stepped out onto the balcony reaching out to touch her. I half expected my fingers to grasp at air but my hands found her hips and I immediately brought her into my chest burying my face in her hair. "Roza." Roza's body relaxed into mine as she turned her head cupping my cheek with one hand pressing our foreheads together. "You came back to me."

Roza smiled tilting her head back to kiss me. "I'll always find my way back to you, Comrade."

I stared into her eyes and forgot the last 4 months. None of it mattered. I cradled her face in my hands and committed every detail of her face to memory knowing that all too soon I'd wake up and instead of being in my arms where she belonged she'd just be- gone.

"I miss you." I confessed closing my eyes as her fingers ran through my hair. It felt so real. When I opened my eyes Roza was smiling so widely as she stood on her tiptoes. "The keys arrived today."

Excitement filled her eyes. "The beach house? You brought it!"

"I had too." I whispered stroking her cheek. "It's all you talked about on the drive home that morning. I was going to surprise you with it on our honeymoon. I wonder if it'll look like the pictures that you showed me."

"It'll be better then the pictures." Roza nodded confidently. "You'll love it."

I sighed shaking my head as I rested my forehead against hers. "Without you it's just a beach house."

"Comrade-" Roza tugged on my beard forcing me to look at her. "It's time you dealt with it."

"What do you think I've been trying to do? I'm dealing with it."

Roza grabbed my arm dragging me to the doorway of the balcony. I followed reluctantly knowing what she'd see- I didn't think I could hit a new low but in this moment I felt as if I'd hit a new level of rock bottom. When Roza's gaze met mine I again I expected to find rage, disappointment, shame but instead all I found was love, understanding, and the tiniest amount of annoyance. "You are not dealing with it, Comrade. Escorts, vodka, and party pills aren't how men like you deal with their problems! And don't even get me started on the body in the basement-"

"Uncle Dimka-" I shot out of bed blinking several times before my eyes focused on Zoya. Shite. I glanced at the bed Greta and Nici sound asleep under the blankets- I picked Zoya up shielding her eyes until I got her out into the hallway. "Uncle!" Zoya giggled tugging on my arm. "I can't see!"

Thank god for that. I reached the top of the stairs as Karolina was walking up the steps holding onto Baby Katya. "Hey- what are you doing here?"

"Ma brought groceries and you've got visitors." Karolina answered looking me up and down. "Dimka- are you alright?"

"I'll be right down." I sat Zoya on the steps next to her mother before returning to my bedroom. I'd brought my own house a few weeks after arriving in Baia- there was no way I could have survived living in that house with all those women- and the screaming children and 3am diaper changes.

I slapped Nici's ass waking her up as I threw her clothes at her. "Wake up. Get dressed. Get out. Be presentable my family is downstairs-"

"What about our payment?"

FUCK. My wallet was on the kitchen bench. "My wallet is downstairs. Greta. Wake the fuck up. It's time to get moving, Sweetheart." I slapped her cheek earning a moan and wiggle of her ass. I rolled my eyes as I turned back to my closet getting dressed in a pair of jeans and t-shirt.

When I got downstairs I realized that the whole family was in fact here. Including- Jace and Ivan- the last time I'd seen Ivan was at the airport. We'd spoken a handful of times about work since I arrived but the conversations had always remained short.

"You look like crap, Brother." Ivan chuckled as we embraced as brothers. "I'm not sure about that beard though."

I chuckled slapping away his hands. "Fuck off, Ivan. You're just jealous you still can't grow a beard."

"Touché…" Ivan trailed off as Greta and Nici came down the stairs. I cringed knowing exactly what this looked like and how it'd go down. "…Your mother is going to kill you."

I escorted the girls to the door grabbing my wallet from the bench. I pulled out enough money to pay for their services plus extra for breakfast and a taxi. Greta and Nici both kissed my cheeks before exiting the house as quickly as possible and into the awaiting taxi.

I closed the screen door behind them and said a quick prayer as I turned around- the palm of my mothers hand slapped me across the face- I blinked several times as I stared at my mother in shock. I'd expected to get slapped at some point this morning by Karolina. "Ma-?"

"I've never been so disappointed in you, Dimitri Belikov." I wasn't surprised- in fact- I'd known that I was disappointing her but actually hearing those words come out of her mouth physically hurt but it was what she'd say next that would break what little of my heart was left. "I look at you and for the first time all I see is your father- I expected more- I'll just have to live with the disappointment that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

I watched as my mother walked back to the kitchen cutting up salad for lunch. I was unable to look away from her as I processed- it wasn't the first time I'd been compared to Randall Ivashkov- but it was the first time my mother had been the one to say it and looked at me with that look that only mothers could pull off and completely destroy you from in the inside out.

Several minutes passed and everybody had moved on- except me- I leaned against the doorframe looking over the backyard as Paul kicked a ball with Ivan and Zoya while Jace sat on the back steps with Sonja and Katya discussing work. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the key to the beach house… Roza would want me to go- she'd want me to make a home without her- and even though it was the last thing I wanted to do. Staying wasn't an option either- I wasn't running. I knew how it'd look but the truth is- I had made a mistake by coming back.

The Next Day …

I kissed the envelope and sat it on top of the kitchen bench along with the house keys. I pulled on my leather jacket, and picked up my duffle bag and motorcycle helmet before walking towards the door. The sun was barely beginning to rise and the birds were chirping in the nearby trees.

I walked into the garage and uncovered my Kawasaki Ninja 300. I tied my duffle to the back of the bike before I climbed on backing the bike out of the garage before I started the engine. The sensors on the garage beeped and the garage closed.

I didn't bother looking back at the house before I turned onto the street and drove away. The houses flew by as I drove towards the gates of the community- I drove away from Baia thinking of my family hoping they'd find it in their hearts to forgive me.

Dear Mama,

All I have ever wanted was to make you proud and knowing that I've disappointed you, and brought you nothing but shame and heart break breaks my heart. I came to Baia to escape my grief- instead I spiraled out of control- I deeply regret my actions and I'm incredibly ashamed of myself.

The person that I am now isn't the person I want to be.

The drinking, the drugs, the women- I just wanted to escape even just for a little while. I didn't mean for it to get so out of hand. I'm sorry.

The house is Karolina's if she wants it.

I brought a house in Istanbul. I brought it for Roza. I need time to be alone and rebuild my life from scratch and figure out what's next for me. I'll call you in a few days. I love you.

P.s. Tell Yeva I'll be okay.

Dimitri Belikov.

No Mercy

Jace Sherwood

4 Months Ago …

"Excuse me-! How did you get in here? This is a private office…" Dr. Wilkins was livid upon finding me seated in her chair with my feet on her desk. "Get. Out."

"Please, sit." I smiled gesturing to the chair in front of her desk.

"I'm calling security-" Dr. Wilkins reached for the phone her desk dialing the number.

I sat back watching her face careful as I spoke. "Great idea, Doctor. While you have the phone in your hand call Ibrahim Mazur and explain how you forged the DNA results to make it look like his only child was horrifically murdered and stripped of her identity? Oh- don't forget to mention all that money you received from an offshore account that left you debt free and 50k richer."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"I hacked into your account." I admitted. "You'd have lost everything- you still could- now that I have your attention let's get down to business. This can either go one of two ways. Either you work with me and I keep your secret or you lie to me and I destroy you? How does spending the rest of your life in a maximum security prison sound?"

"You don't have that kind of power." I pulled out my cell phone and started dialing. "Who are you calling?"

"Jonathon Grey, The States Attorney. Jonathon is running a 2nd term and has big plans to clean up the corruption of this great state."

"Hang. Up."

"Hello-?"

"Jonathon!" I greeted before the phone was ripped out of my hands. Dr. Wilkins slammed it on the table after she hung up fear in her eyes as she stared at me. "That was rude."

"What do you want from me?"

"Who paid you?"

Dr. Wilkins looked like she was about to lose it. "I swear; I don't know his name. I was in my office the first time he called- it was a private number- the next time he called it was to tell me that the money was in my account."

"You requested to have the body of Randall Danielson transported here for his autopsy."

Dr. Wilkins sank further into her chair sighing. "Top left drawer."

I removed from feet from the desk and opened the top drawer. Inside was a little red envelope- I opened it and inside was a piece of paper.

Randall Danielson.

Montana Private Hospital: Morgue Patient Number B3245.

Take care of it.

"I called a colleague who works in the morgue at hospital. It was chaos there. There had been a huge pile up on the high way that morning with multiple causalities. I offered to take Mr. Danielson off her hands and she was grateful since she didn't have much experience in handling criminal cases. The body should have arrived by now- I can call to see what's taking so long if you'd like-"

"That's not necessary." I pulled out the report from my jacket tossing it onto the desk. "This is the report you'll release to the public."

"But-"

"You're in no position to argue." I reminded her as I stood from behind the desk. "From this point on you answer to me. If this guy contacts you again call me- if you receive another love note- call me. Don't under any circumstances meet up with him unless I am there with you. Understood?"

"Y-Yes."

"Good." I buttoned up my jacket. "Have a nice day, Doctor."

1 Month Later …

"Agent. Sherwood." Mrs. Patty grinned as I walked into the diner.

"Mrs. Patty." I whistled. "You change your hair?"

Mrs. Patty rolled her eyes shaking her head at me. "Nothing gets passed you."

I chuckled making my way towards the back of the diner. Felix had called me last night and asked me to meet him for breakfast to discuss Jane Doe. I've been tracking Dr. Cassandra Wilkins online activities, bank transactions, and incoming and outgoing phones. I'd bugged her office while I was there last and so far there had been no contact.

"Felix…" I trailed off stopping next to the booth as I spotted Lucile sitting across from him. "…Luci."

"Sit." Lucile pushed a hot cup of coffee towards me. "We found the girl."

I slid into the booth next to her. "Rose-?"

"No." Felix slid a yellow envelope. "Jane Doe is Elizabeth Mead. 19. Lives in Kountz Trailer Park. Ms. Mead's father is a deputy sheriff- they've been estranged for the last 3 years- but Ms. Mead's mother recently contacted her ex-husband and expressed concerns for their daughter's safety. The sheriff department put out this statement earlier this morning."

Felix handed me his iPhone to watch the statement.

Elizabeth Meads was last seen leaving a bar with a young man from out of town. The man was well dressed, 6'2 with light-ish brown blonde hair, blue eyes and a strong foreign accent. Anyone with information on the whereas about of Elizabeth Mead or the young man she was last seen with are encouraged to come forth.

"Please. Lizzy, sweetheart, if you're watching this, please come home or call your mother. We're are worried sick about you."

At the end of the segment was a profile sketch of the man Elizabeth Mead was last seen with.

The sketch wasn't 100% accurate but it was accurate enough for me to recognize Ivan Zeklos' face. I didn't want to believe it. It made no sense. If Ivan did in fact kill Elizabeth that meant he was also the one who paid Dr. Wilkins to forge the DNA to make it seem like the body belonged to Rosemarie? If that was the case Ivan was also responsible for the death of Randall Danielson.

Something else that bothered me was the disappearance of Rose Hathaway. I visited the parking lot where Rose was last seen alive- there was DNA from Rose as well as shell casings which matched the bullets found in both Elizabeth and Randall.

"You know who it is don't you?" Lucile questioned.

"His name is Ivan Zeklos. His best friend is Dimitri Belikov- Dimitri Belikov was engaged to Rosemarie Hathaway. Rose's best friend Vasilisa Dragomir was the last person to see Rose alive as 7 men approached from behind her- those 7 men were later found dead in that same parking lot along with Randall Danielson who worked with Rose as part of Lissa's security team. That same night Ivan is seen leaving a bar with Elizabeth Mead- 2 days later Elizabeth Meads body is discovered however thanks to Dr. Wilkins forging of the results everybody was lead to believe that the body belongs to Rose Hathaway- a week later Randall is found shot twice in the chest by the same gun used in the parking lot where Rose was last seen and again with Elizabeth Mead."

"You think this Ivan Zeklos is behind it all?"

"Give me another scenario?" I pleaded Felix not wanting to believe the evidence in front of me.

"What if they were in it together?" Lucile questioned pulling up a picture of Rose and Ivan. "What if… Rose and Ivan were having an affair and planned to fake her death? This Randall guy could have helped them and Ivan took him out to clean up lose ends."

"No." It was a plausible scenario if it were anybody else. "Rose was a wild card but she'd never fake her own death… Something else happened in that parking lot."

"What if…" Felix held up his hand asking me to let him explain. "…Ivan and Randall were working together not to help fake Rose's death but to kill her. Going by the report you got me Randall was laying among the dead men- what if he'd knelt down to check to make sure Rose was dead and she stabbed him in the throat?- now let's add a 3rd person John Doe just to mix it up- John Doe- interrupts and Ivan runs not wanting to risk being identified. This 3rd person takes Rose and flees the scene- moments later Rose's security team arrives and find Randall dying among a pile of already dead men."

I looked at Lucile who seemed just as impressed as she spoke. "It'd make sense as to why Ivan would kill Randall." Lucile looked at me. "Don't you agree?"

"I do." I shifted my focus back onto the papers in front of me. "But why fake Rose's death? For all Ivan knows Rose could still be alive- right- why go to all that trouble?"

"Maybe Ivan didn't have a choice." Lucile commented. "Maybe by faking her death he was protecting somebody? Unless- Ivan was jealous of Dimitri? Or threatened by Rose? Is it possible this could be a crime of passion?"

"No." There were too many pieces on the board.

"What's your next move?" Felix questioned.

I finished my coffee and stood from the booth pulling on my jacket. "I'm going to inform the family of Ms. Elizabeth Meads demise."

"Do you mind if come?" Lucile questioned. "We need to discuss the divorce papers?"

"You still haven't signed them?" I was a little surprised- I'd thought that was all done and dusted- but than I hadn't spoken to my lawyer in a while. "You better not complain about my taste in music."

20 Minutes Later …

"Arh! How can you listen to this crap-!" Lucile shouted over the music before reaching over and turning off the music. "-Finally! I can hear myself thinking."

"-Hey! I was listening to that!"

"Bullshit!" Lucile laughed gesturing to the radio. "You can't even understand a word they're screaming! It's all pussy, ass, nigga this nigga that! Who the fuck you trying to kid, White Boy?"

I couldn't help but laugh as I focused on the road. "I thought you said you weren't going to complain about my taste in music?" I could practically feel her rolling her eyes. "Why haven't you signed the divorce papers?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were working for Quantico?"

"You didn't need to know."

"I'm your wife."

"Sign the papers and you'll be my ex-wife."

"Jace."

"Lucile."

"Arh! Why do you have to be such a cocking-sucking-ball-punching-knuckle-head-brainless-twat?"

"Why do you have to be such a ball-busting-feministic-stubborn-soul-sucking-bitch?"

"I don't even know why I married you."

I chuckled glancing across at her. "You didn't want your sister to have me."

Lucile bit her lip as she tried not to smile. "You were the ultimate prize."

"Say that again but into the phone." I held out my phone only to get it snatched out of my hand. I chuckled shaking my head as I glanced at the GPS. I'd take the next turn off the highway and than it was only five minutes to the station. "It was never a competition between Cecilia and you- it was always you- and despite what others say I know we loved each other once."

Lucilla was quiet- too quiet- I looked at her from the corner of my eye and found her focused on the screen of my phone. My wallpaper was of Sonja, Katya, and I. It was taken the morning Katya was born- I'd kept my promise and was able to be there for the birth. It was the most surreal experience of my life but the moment the nurses placed Katya into my arms- thinking I was the father- everything changed for me because in that moment I'd wished I were her father.

"It's not what you think."

"She's beautiful." Lucille's voice broke. "They both are."

"Yeah…" I pulled into the parking lot of the station before I turned to her. "…It's not what you're thinking, Lucille. Katya isn't mine. Sonja and I met 2 months ago when she came to town for Rose's funeral. Sonja is Dimitri Belikov's sister."

Lucille met my gaze. "Do you love her?"

"It's complicated."

"Either you love her or you don't?"

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Either you love her or you don't?" Lucille repeated refusing to look away. "Do you still love me?"

"Yes."

Lucille handed me the phone before climbing out of the car. I took a deep breath before I opened the car door and stepped out following her towards the building. I opened the door and Lucille walked in ahead of me. "Can I help you?" A young officer asked looking Lucille and I over. "Feds?"

"I'm Agent Jace Sherwood." I pulled out my badge. "This is my associate Dr. Lucille Sherwood. We'd like to speak to Deputy Sheriff Mead. It's concerning the disappearance of his daughter Elizabeth."

"You found my daughter?" Lucille and I turned back towards the door as the Deputy Sheriff appeared in the doorway with the former Mrs. Mead. I stood a little straighter as I stared the woman with tears swimming in her eyes. "Is she alive?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Mead…" I cleared my throat. "…Is there somewhere we can discuss this?"

"My wife asked you a question." The deputy insisted his voice unreadable. "Answer it."

"On the 30th of September a body was discovered by local rangers… I'm sorry to have to inform you that the body was identified as that of Ms. Elizabeth Mead."

The deputy caught his ex-wife as she collapsed next to him- he picked her up like she weighed nothing and carried her into his office- the officers running to open the door. A few minutes passed before the deputy returned looking like he'd just aged 5 decades.

"Was it the son of a bitch from the bar?"

"We're still looking into suspects." I lied. "I understand the pain you and your ex-wife are going through but the best thing you can do is let the FBI handle it."

"Do you have children?"

"No sir."

"Than you don't understand shit!" Deputy Mead shouted. "A man killed my little girl! And you've had 2 months to find who did it and you're standing here telling me to let the feds handle it? Fuck you."

"Sir-" Lucille ignored my attempts to reign her back. "-Instead of yelling at us to do our job perhaps you should ask yourself why it's taken so long for you and your wife to go public about your daughter's disappearance? Agent Sherwood has been working on this case since the beginning- nobody else is looking into it- nobody else cares too."

10 Minutes Later …

"That went well." Lucille giggled from the passengers seat. "I've never been escorted out of Bogansville before."

"You've got to be the least diplomatic person I know." I pulled into the gas station pulling into the parking lot. "It would have been helpful to have the sheriffs department on our side."

"They were never going to help you." She wasn't entirely wrong. "Why did you stop?"

"The motel." I admitted turning to look at her.

"Any evidence is long gone."

It's worth a shot. "What's the worst they can do- drive us out of the town?"

"Throw us in lockup for 48 hours?"

"It wouldn't be the first time."

Lucille shook her head before a sly smile slid across her face. "The officers that drove us out of town are probably still parked at the entrance of town." Good Point. "Grab your crap." Lucille jumped out of the car before I could stop her and ran over to an off duty taxi. I reached into the back seat and grabbed my laptop bag and files before I climbed out locking the car.

10 minutes and $500.00 later I had the key to the room where Elizabeth Mead was most likely murdered. Lucille never travelled anywhere without her own bag of tricks and was already squinting and swiping fibers for testing.

I pulled up a seat at the desk and opened my laptop. I connected to the motel-wifi and used it as a backdoor to get into their security system. It was easier then stealing candy from a baby- luckily the security cameras outside weren't just for show- the footage usually deleted itself after 24hrs but nothing was ever truly deleted.

"You've got to be kidding." Lucille whispered obviously watching the footage.

"Nobody saw him." I looked at the time stamp. 3.15am.

"Does this fucker have a leprechaun up his ass or what? He's got to be the stupidest luckiest bastard I have ever come across and that says a lot since you married me."

Funny. "He has no idea what he's doing does he?"

"What are you going to do?"

"This is real evidence that Ivan Zeklos killed Elizabeth Mead… The bullet shells found at all 3 locations connects the murders… All I need now is to find the gun and I can arrest him for the murder of Elizabeth Mead and Randall Danielson."

"What about Rose Hathaway?" Lucille questioned. "She's the missing piece." The disappearance of Rose Hathaway was the million-dollar question. "If you find Rose- alive- the gun will be the cherry on top of the Sunday."

"I've looked everywhere." I confessed sitting back in the chair to look up at her. "I don't know where else I can look."

"I might know a guy." Lucille smiled at my raised eyebrow. "What? You're the only person who can have connections?"

"Did you find anything?"

"No." Lucille sat on the edge of the desk. "It's as clean as a seedy motel room can be."

"Thank you." I reached out touching her leg. "You didn't have to help."

Lucille leaned forward grabbing my face as her lips met mine. I froze for a fraction of a second before my lips responded to hers- I moaned pulling her into my lap as her fingers worked on the buttons of my shirt- I pulled up her skin until I was able to grab her firm ass in my hands before I stood carrying her over to the bed.

I pulled back ripping open her shirt as my mouth travelled down her stomach. Lucille grabbed a fistful of my hair pulling my mouth back to hers as she rolled us over until I was on my back- I sat up holding her close as our lips locked again in a needy frenzy.

"Fuck." I groaned squeezing my eyes closed as her tight pussy wrapped around my cock. I hadn't even noticed my pants being undone. I wrapped my arms around her back as my mouth trailed kisses along her neck as she moaned in my ear. "I've missed you."

Lucille pushed me down onto the bed as she rode my cock- her hair was hanging around her face, her shirt unbuttoned and her bra hung up as her tits bounced as she rode my cock. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I lifted my hips off the bed as I grabbed hold of her hips meeting her thrusts.

I felt my eyes roll into the back of my head as I cum. I opened my eyes watching as Lucille came riding out her orgasm until my cock went flaccid. "That was amazing." Lucille kissed me sliding her tongue along my bottom lip but I couldn't return it. "What's wrong?" I lifted Lucille off and slid out of the bed pulling up my pants. "Jace?"

I turned back to her seeing the pain in her eyes. "I love you, Lucille. I do. I always will but that was a mistake."

Lucille stared at me tears filling her gorgeous green eyes. "You love her don't you?"

What the fuck have I done? "I do."

"It's because she can give you children isn't it?"

I hated that it always came back to this. "It has nothing to do with that."

"Bullshit." Lucille spat climbing out of bed straightening her clothes. "You never looked at me the same after- after-"

"After Bry-"

"Don't you dare say his name!" Lucille screamed throwing a pillow at my head. "You don't get to say his name!"

"He was my son." I snapped at her. "I lost him too."

"It's not the same." Lucille spat. "I carried him inside of me!"

"I didn't stop looking at you." Lucille refused to look at me but I needed to say this. "You stopped looking at me and than you left me!"

"YOU WERE NEVER THERE!"

"I WAS ALWAYS THERE!" I shouted right back. "YOU JUST NEVER NOTICED!"

"I DIDN'T NEED A BABYSITTER I NEEDED MY HUSBAND!"

The Next Day …

I was standing in my bathroom shaving when my mobile to began to ring. I swiped the screen and attached it to the cradle on the mirror as I walked for the video to connect- I smiled when her fit lit up my screen. God. She was beautiful. "Hey You."

"Hi!" Sonja smiled sitting up against her pillows. "I tried calling yesterday."

"Yeah- I was on a case." I'd actually been in the car with Lucille driving back to the city. "How's everybody there?" By the look on Sonja's face told me that things weren't good. Dimitri had been spiraling out of control since he arrived. "Is he still seeing that Lynne woman?"

"Yes." Sonja didn't like her one bit. "It's like he's a totally different person… He is an entirely different person… Losing Roza… It's destroyed my brother." I wanted to tell her there was a small chance that Rose might still be alive but I'd never be able to forgive myself if I gave them hope only to have it blow up in their faces. "I miss you."

"I miss you." It wasn't a lie. "How's Katya?"

At the mention of our girl Sonja's face lit up with the biggest grin. "She's perfect! She's started sleeping through the night."

"That's great."

"Okay- what's wrong?" Sonja questioned raising an eyebrow. "Spill."

"I slept with my ex-wife yesterday." I hadn't meant to say that but I couldn't take it back. And honestly; lying to her was killing me. "It was the biggest mistake I've ever made. I'm so sorry, Baby Girl. Say something?"

Sonja's eyes filled with tears as she stared at me. "I-I can't- I have to go."

"Sonja- FUCK!" I punched the mirror the phone returned to it's home screen. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

1 Month Later …

Over the last month I had spent over 5k on flowers, gifts, and flown to Baia 3 times only to get the door slammed in my face and threatened to have my ass kicked by a 9 year old boy for upsetting his Aunty. Yes. I'm serious but I wasn't giving up even though my balls still hadn't recovered from when Paul punched me outside his house.

Viktoria had thrown a bag of peas at me and told me to leave town… I'm 99.9% sure that my life was in mortal danger just by being here but I was willing to take the risk.

I stood outside of Sonja's place of work and turned on the microphone. "Sonja Belikova!" I called out ignoring the stares I was receiving from the locals. "From the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you were special and everyday I spent with you was a blessing… Hit it, Kid."

The kid I'd paid $20.00 to press play on the speakers pressed the button and started beat boxing. It was a nice touch. I made a mental note to give him a tip before I started to sing. Sing being another word for totally killing- and I mean literally killing- my apology/love song.

I knew I loved you then

But you'd never know

'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go

I knew I needed you

But I never showed

But I wanna stay with you

Until we're grey and old

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

I wake you up with some breakfast in bed

I'll bring you coffee

With a kiss on your head

And I'll take the kids to school

Wave them goodbye

And I'll thank my lucky stars for that night

When you looked over your shoulder

For a minute, I forget that I'm older

I wanna dance with you right now, oh

And you look as beautiful as ever

And I swear that every day you'll get better

You make me feel this way somehow

I'm so in love with you

And I hope you know

Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in gold

We've come so far my dear

Look how we've grown

And I wanna stay with you

Until we're grey and old

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go.

Sonja stood at the top of the stairs staring at me with tears in her eyes. I walked to the bottom of the steps and got on my knees still holding the mic in my hand. "I'm sorry, Sonja. It doesn't make up for what I did but – fuck it – I love you, Sonja Belikova. I didn't realize it until it was too late and I couldn't take it back. I wanted too- fuck did I want too- I love you. I love you. I love you… Please… Tell me you love me too? I'll accept whatever comes – Just say you won't let go?"

Sonja walked down the steps until she stood in front of me. "You're really bad singer." I couldn't wipe the smile off my face at the sound of her voice or the little smile that lit up her face. "I know we weren't exclusive but I didn't think we needed to be."

"It was only the one time."

"And next time?"

"There will never be a next time." I swore reaching for her hand. "I love you, Sonja Belikova. And I love our daughter because she is mine and if I've learnt anything it's that DNA doesn't always mean what you think it means."

A single tear slid down her cheek as she stared at me. "I forgive you." I lifted her into my arms as the crowd gathered behind us began to applaud. It had nothing to do with my terrible singing and all to do with the beautiful woman in my arms. "If you ever cheat on me- I will slit your throat while you sleep- understood?"

After I lifted my jaw off the ground I nodded. "My cock is yours from this day forth."

Sonja giggled shaking her head. "You're something else."

2 Months Later … (The Day Dimitri Left Baia)

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

"Baby, answer the bloody phone." Sonja whined pulling the blanket over her head. I kissed the top of her head before reaching blindly for my mobile. I swiped it across and put it to my ear.

I didn't even bother glancing at the phone. "Jace Sherwood- this had better be important."

"It's Zara, Jackass, I found the mystery man you were after." I sat up so fast that I gave myself whiplash and almost knocked Sonja out of bed but I caught her just before she fell. "I thought that'd get your attention."

"You found him?" I couldn't believe it. "Where?"

"The morgue."

You've got to be fucking kidding. "He's dead?"

"Well- he ain't alive that's for damn sure." Zara giggled like it was the funniest thing in the world. "But it's the most interesting thing! Whoever killed him left a message."

"What's the message?"

"Take a look for yourself." I pulled the phone away from my ear and opened the email. There were two pictures. The surgeon- I'm assuming- was in the passenger seat of black Porsche with his pants pulled down and his cock chopped off. The 2nd image was a message written in blood on the inside of the windscreen. "Do you see it?"

I put the phone back to my ear. "God may forgive you but I don't."

"That's not even the best part." My phone buzzed again. "Surveillance footage from across the street… I zoomed in as much as I could… She look familiar to you?"

Holy Fuck. "She's alive."

... To Be Continued ...

I cannot wait to read the reviews. I'm kinda scared. But you guys did say not to hold back.
Rose is literally trapped in hell with NOBODY except a decomposing corpse, and a memory of a man whose name she cannot even remember, and let's be real she's losing it.

Dimitri Belikov? My heart breaks for him. I know some of you guys are going to be upset by how he's "moving on too quickly" but he's NOT moving on at all and that's the problem. He's drinking, taking drugs, sleeping with toxic woman who have a HUGE ulterior motive and let's not forget the escorts!

The man is suffering but he's on the road to recovery.
I mean- let's be real- there's nothing like a DIY project to help process your grief.

Jace Sherwood is on the case! Hold onto your hats because his investigation is about to get a whole lot more crazy as two worlds collide in a head on collision.