BAIT
462 Words
POV: Marco
---
I walked into the trap with my eyes open.
The location was a warehouse in Red Hook – neutral ground, Antonio had said. A place where Ivan would feel safe making his move. I went alone, unarmed except for the knife in my boot and the gun Sasha had insisted I hide in my waistband.
"You're not going in without protection," she'd said.
"I'm going in as bait. Bait doesn't carry weapons."
"Bait dies."
"I'll be fine."
She'd kissed me then – hard, desperate, like she was saying goodbye.
"Three hours," she said. "If you're not out in three hours, I'm coming in after you."
"Stay with Antonio. Follow the plan."
"The plan is stupid."
"The plan is all we have."
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The warehouse was cold, dark, smelled like rust and old blood. I'd been in a hundred places like this. Usually on the other side. Usually holding the gun.
Ivan was waiting in the center of the room, flanked by two men I didn't recognize. He looked younger than I remembered – softer, maybe. Or maybe just more desperate.
"Marco Ricci," he said. "Alone. Unarmed. I'm impressed."
"Don't be. I'm just stupid."
He laughed. It was an ugly sound.
"Where's my sister?"
"Not here."
"I can see that. Where is she?"
"Safe."
His smile faded. "There's nowhere safe. Not from me. Not from Dmitri."
"Then you'd better kill me now. Because if I walk out of here, I'm coming for both of you."
He stepped closer, studied my face.
"You're in love with her."
"I'm not here to talk about my feelings."
"No." He circled me. "You're here to die. But I'm not going to kill you. Not yet. Not until she watches."
"Watches what?"
"Watches me take apart everything she loves."
He nodded to his men. They grabbed my arms.
I didn't fight.
---
The basement was darker than the warehouse. Smaller. A single light bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting harsh shadows.
They tied me to a chair. Not well – I could have broken free if I wanted. But I wasn't here to escape. I was here to wait.
Ivan stood in front of me, arms crossed.
"You're not scared," he said.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I know something you don't."
"What's that?"
I smiled. "She's already here."
---
The lights went out.
Gunfire. Screaming. The sound of bodies hitting the floor.
When the lights came back, Ivan's men were gone. Ivan was on his knees, hands behind his head. And Sasha stood behind him, gun to his temple.
"Hello, brother," she said.
"Sasha." His voice was calm. "I should have known."
"You should have stayed away."
"I can't. You know I can't."
She looked at me. "Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Good."
She pulled the trigger.
- Writer
