Mila could not get Kole out of her head. Usually on missions, she was dead set on the plan, but their last lovemaking was more of a claiming. She felt totally possessed by Kole and her core clenched with just the memory of him pounding away inside of her yesterday. She shook her head, trying to concentrate. It was a two-hour drive to Concord, and that was where she would be able to extact her revenge on Vladen.

Since he wanted to tell people she had attempted to kill him, she would give him what he wished for. She had no intentions of letting him live. Once he cancelled the hit, she would kill him and leave no trace of herself.

They had come up with a brilliant plan. Corneal’s spy would basically offer Vlad up on a silver platter. She had memorized the grounds. Kole and his men would cause a distraction to allow her to sneak onto the property. Vlad was getting old, and it was time for him to learn that he couldn’t play the same fucking games he did when he and her father were younger.

This was a whole new generation leading the Tokhans, and they didn’t play games. Pasha would wipe out the Slokavich Bratva, but Mila would do her part whether her brother wanted her help or not. She would get her revenge.

“You’re too quiet.” Kole’s voice broke through her thoughts. They had spent the last twenty-four hours planning this covert mission.

“I’m imagining my hands wrapped around Vlad’s wrinkled neck,” she murmured, turning from the window to look at Kole. She could almost feel the flesh beneath her fingers as she squeezed.

“I figured as much,” he chuckled, patting her knee. “Soon this will all be over with.”

“You know this will piss by brother off,” she said. Pasha would be furious that she didn’t do as he’d asked. But he should know his little sister better. She would never be able to just sit back and let them fight her battles for her. It was always she, a captain in the Tokhan Bratva, who ensured that they had ruthless soldiers to defend the brotherhood. She would handle her brother when the time came.

“It won’t be the first time your brother will be pissed at me,” he replied. “And I doubt this will be the last time too.”

“I will handle my brother’s wrath. It will not be the first time that I have disobeyed a direct order.”

“We’ll worry about that when the time comes.”

“Shouldn’t be too much longer,” Denis called out from the driver’s seat of the extended SUV.

“Don’t forget that once you drop us off to meet the others. This plan is solid,” Kole informed the group.

“Wait, what do you mean, drop us off? I was to go alone.” She grabbed his arm. What was he doing? She was to sneak into the building alone while they dealt with the security crew.

“You didn’t really think I would let you out of my sight, did you?” he replied, turning his eyes to her. “We go together.”

“I can take care of myself,” she snapped, anger mounting in her chest. Did he not trust that she could do her part? Her part of the mission was the most important.

“It’s not you I don’t trust. I want to ensure that there’s someone that will have your back, just in case the shit hits the fan.” He paused and looked at her. Her anger slowly faded as she returned his gaze. Even in the darkened cab of the truck, she could see the stubborn set of his jaw and knew there would be no fighting him on this. His mind was made up.

“Well, I hope you can keep up with me,” she quipped.

“Oh, don’t you worry. I didn’t get to where I am by just sitting back in an office,” he replied, his lips curving at the corners.

She knew that to be a boss in any mafia gang or mob, that the person had to be willing to get his hands dirty in order to reach the top.

She turned away from him and watched the dark scenery pass by. She was ready. They were all decked out in black tactical gear and matching ski masks. Her hair was pulled back in two long braids that dropped down her back, and her body was covered with enough weapons to fight a small militia. This was war, and she wanted to be prepared. Everyone in the car was decked out in weapons just like her. They each had communicators for their ears so they could communicate with each other.

“All right, Kole. You’re the alpha team for radio contact. One and two,” Denis informed them as they began checking their equipment.

“Who’s one and two?” she asked, checking her glock that was strapped to her thigh. She had enough clips that if they had to shoot their way out of the house, she would be prepared.

“I’m the alpha one around here,” Kole stated, pulling on one of her braids.

“Enough, children,” Corneal said from his perch in the seat up front. “I think the whole house knows who the alphas are.”

Mila could feel her cheeks warm and was thankful for the darkness in the truck as the guys chuckled. She usually didn’t embarrass easily, but coming down the stairs after their very loud lovemaking yesterday, had made her wish for the floor to swallow her whole when the guys turned toward them. Kole, of course, wasn’t bothered by it. She was almost certain that his chest puffed out a little as he walked past the guys.

“Test your communicators one more time,” Denis instructed. Mila could tell that he was very thorough at his job. They had checked them before and they worked. She flipped hers on and was able to hear everyone do their test.

Even though it was five of them in the vehicle, Kole and Corneal had arranged for the others to meet near the home. They wanted this to be a surprise, so the other men would arrive before them to monitor the building. They had dispatched a few men yesterday and had been getting updates on the property. Vlad was officially there. The spy had confirmed with Corneal that morning.

“Okay, alpha team, this is where you get out.” Denis pulled the vehicle over on a quiet suburban street. They would travel the rest of the way by foot. It was a little past midnight, and not a soul stirred on the street. The house Vlad was hidden in was off the main roads with a top security detail.

“Let’s go.” Kole opened the door and jumped out, and turned to assist Mila from the vehicle. Jethro jumped out of the last row and climbed into the second row.

“Don’t forget the rendezvous point,” Corneal said through his open window.

“I won’t. Just make sure you fuckers are there when we get there. I have a feeling the situation is going to get hot.”

* * *

“What’s taking them so long?” Mila muttered under her breath.

“Calm down,” Kole whispered. They had made it to their post and had to wait for the signal. He knew that his men all had to get in place. This property was located in the hills on the outskirts of town.

“I’m ready to get this over with,” she snapped as she leaned against a tree. Her eyes had yet to leave the property. They were hidden in the woods beyond the property line, and were to wait for his men to cause a disruption. By the looks of the security plans, there were about fifteen men on duty. His men would easily be able to handle them.

“Just a few more minutes, love,” he murmured, coming to stand behind her. The automatic rifle she had fell in love with the other night was strapped to her back and kept her from settling into him all the way. He couldn’t wait to get her back to his home so he could strip her black tactical clothing off of her. Apparently, it didn’t matter what she wore, he was attracted to her. Her body was decked out with weapons and it made her appear even sexier to him.

“Stop it,” she whispered fiercely, turning her head toward him.

“What?”

“I can feel you getting hard against my ass. Not now, Kole. You keep that thing away from me.” She moved away, putting a little distance between them.

He hadn’t even realized that his cock was straining against his pants. What the hell was wrong with him? Here they were on a mission that could possibly get them killed if they weren’t careful, and his dick was trying to get some action.

“You sure you can scale that tree that’s next to the house?” he asked, looking out at the property.

She snorted as she turned to him. “Are you sure you can? As the big bad boss, you haven’t gone all soft, have you?”

“Is that a challenge?” He raised an eyebrow at her. Was she trying to insinuate that he had lost his touch as the boss? Well, he’d show her that a Bozovic was never too good to get his hands dirty.

“It sure is. I may be a captain for my brother, but I’m never too good to get my hands dirty—”

“The alarm wires have been cut. Be ready in five.” Denis’s voice came across their communicators. Mila’s eyes flew to his, letting him know she’d heard the message too.

All joking disappeared as they quietly waited. His men would draw most of the security detail away from where Vlad was supposed to be. If there was an issue, he would be escorted to his office, which was located at the back of the house, facing the hills, just where Kole and Mila were positioned.

“Kole, when we get in there, let me handle him.”

He went to argue, but she held up a hand and came to stand in front of him.

“This’s what I do. I know things are different for your organization, but this is what I do and I’m damn good at it. He’s going to pay for dragging my name down and bringing this fucking war to the streets. If I know my father, he and the Black Society will handle those motherfuckers who crashed the charity event. My brother will handle everything else, but Vlad is mine. I will fucking handle him, so stay out of my way.”

“Fine.” He pulled his mask up and rubbed a hand across his face. He knew what she spoke was the truth. It was one thing to know that she was a hardened mafia mistress, but to see her in action was another thing. He never thought he would fall in love with someone as deep in organized crime as he was. Maybe that was why they were meant for each other. They were two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. “Hey.”

He grabbed her arm, directing her body toward his. Snatching her mask up, he crushed his lips to hers. She gasped and opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to enter. He needed one last taste of her before they ran off into battle.

“What was that for?” she asked as he tore his mouth from hers. They stared at each other, their breaths coming fast.

“Do your thing and I’ll have your back,” he responded, placing one last chaste kiss upon her lips. He meant it. He wouldn’t take this from her. They would have to learn to work in tandem with each other. His woman didn’t need a protector, she needed her equal at her side. “Always.”

“God, I love you,” she breathed, pulling her mask back down over her face. “Keep your eyes off my ass, and make sure you cover my six.”