TWENTY- THREE (Odessa POV)

"Are you tired?" Val looks at me in disbelief while the small boat sails through the calmed greenish-blue waters that remind me of Lucrezia's stunning eyes.

"Are you kidding me? I'm exhausted... These last hours of our trip felt eternal, like someone was stretching time as if it was a rubber band."

"I know," I whisper relieved when I see the island standing out against the horizon and getting closer. "I can't wait to be home and hug my dad."

Watching it from the distance, the island gives no clue about what you can find there, it's just one more among the dozen that are part of a natural and marine bird reserve, covered with lush vegetation and palm trees, surrounded by white sand beaches and a coral reef very close. The only thing that catches one's eye from this point of view is the long wooden jetty and small house in a traditional Philippine style with white walls and a thatched roof that my father calls the reception centre since it's the first thing a visitor would see... Inside, there's a control room and security system that warns him when a boat or a helicopter arrives, surveillance cameras with facial recognition, radar, drones ready to fly at any time, satellite internet connection, an armoury full of guns and ammo... If a stranger tries to reach the island, someone Nikolai doesn't approve, this state-of-the-art equipment would go crazy and he would be notified immediately. I'm pretty sure he has a missile defence system too although he denies it laughing every time I ask.

Other buildings are wisely hidden among the vegetation and if a plane flies over the island, they'd be able to spot a discreet roof, the corner of one or two swimming pools and a small tennis court, but nothing odd in a country that turns its 7,000 islands into luxury resorts for wealthy tourists. Only this place is more private... and fancier. My father's house in the middle of the island is a real mansion with everything a man can dream of, even his own wine cellar and movie room, and the other four villas could compete with any house in Beverly Hills, with infinity pools, spacious terraces with Balinese beds and hammocks hung from palm trees... a paradise. The staff that cleans and cooks lives in one of them during the week and the other one is for Val, I took the bigger one not far away from my father's and my friends will stay in the last one in a few months when they come on holiday. I can't wait...

After 17 hours flying from NY to Manila, one hour on a light aircraft, one more traveling by car and two hours on a catamaran... finally I manage to set foot on the wooden jetty followed by my exhausted bodyguard who's helping my father's employees to carry our luggage and the supplies Nikolai ordered. I start walking not looking back and not bothering to wait for them, running through the tropical forest along garden paths towards the centre of the island and the main house. My dad decided to use local materials and builders so all the houses are made with gorgeous dark wood, bamboo and stone mixing a Philippine and Spanish colonial style with a touch of China, with thatched roofs that are easier to rebuild if a storm ruins them, although this island isn't in the way of typhoons usually, thanks God. Wide windows allow the air circulation in hot days and balustrades are beautifully carved, decoration is comfortable and functional and all made of natural materials like linen, cotton, jute and red ebony.

"Dad!" Nikolai jumps from the cream-coloured couch to hug me tight, he's spent a week here and his skin is already tanned, the blond highlights on his hair look more golden and the pants and linen shirt he's wearing make him look like an attractive middle-aged surfer. "Are you okay?"

"I should ask you that... how did everything go in NY? Hello, Valerik..."

"Hello, boss. If you don't need me, I'll go to my villa... jetlag is killing me." My friend waves his hand and leaves while my father gives me a glass of cold water with lemon.

"Everything went as planned, I signed Winston's book with a solemn face, placed my bloodstained thumb print on the page and gave him back the marker. He asked me to have dinner with him but The Scorpion was there and that woman gives me the chills so I turned the invitation down, he gave me his condolences and I left."

"Yes, I'm sorry about that," my dad grimaces when noticing the reproach in my tone of voice. "I called Boris to explain him what had happened with Markov, he was devastated and seemed honest to me, I'm pretty sure my old friend knew nothing about it... But he can't afford the underworld knowing his right-hand man fooled him for years, it'd show weakness, so we came up with a story. Markov was with you in Paris to get rid of the unknown enemy threatening you and he died on that boat along with Ares protecting you... He's become a hero for the Russian mob despite we know he was a traitor but it's better this way, we can't tell the true story, it'd make Boris look bad and could risk Lucrezia's cover..." I nod reluctantly, I understand it but it pisses me off that the jerk will be remembered with admiration. "They searched his apartment and Boris found the passwords of his bank accounts out of the country, he's been stealing from us for years... I told him to take those millions and use them to send a new head of the mob to NY in order to rebuild our businesses in the city but he insisted on giving me half of the money... as compensation..."

"Money can't compensate us for the loss of mum," I whisper angrily trying to hold back my tears.

"I know, sweetheart, Boris was just trying to be kind... you know he adores you and loved Rusalka too." My dad flops down on the couch next to me. "I'm sorry, Odessa, I should've noticed it before, I should've suspected, I can't believe I told my wife's killer to investigate her death..."

"You were busy taking care of me and crying her loss... Besides, mum should've talked to you from the beginning before giving Markov the chance to plot anything against her... You know she had that habit of trying to fix things on her own first, she was too independent..."

"And I'm happy that you didn't get that from your mother and you always count me in your plans..." My father hugs me tight before pulling away smiling. "Come on, go home, you must be tired... and someone is waiting for you..."

"Ares..." I whisper getting up.

"No, honey, Ares doesn't exist anymore... She's Lucky now. She'll have a Spanish passport soon and all her papers in order, we've been very busy giving the last touches to her new identity... You're going to be shocked."

I leave his mansion a bit worried, when my dad winks at me naughtily it's because he's up to something, but there's nothing I can do if he wants to make fun of me. I follow the garden path around his swimming pool till I reach my house, another traditional building only a bit smaller and closer to the beach to be able to enjoy the sea breeze. The big living room is empty, French windows are open and the infinity pool overlooks the blue ocean but Lucky is not on the veranda or lying on the sunbeds with blue cushions. I kick my sandals off my feet at the front door and walk barefoot on the reddish wooden floor towards my bedroom, my bags are already here next to the massive four-poster bed with white curtains and lots of cream coloured linen pillows. I walk in the bathroom thinking that I'll find her in the big stone bathtub, the tiled floor is cold under my feet but she's not here... Damn it... I decide to take a quick shower and put on a light long dress made of blue linen thinking that she's gone out for a walk on the beach or under the palm trees, or maybe she's gone to the service house to order some food for me... I'm pretty sure she knew I was arriving today.

"Odessa..." her voice startles me while I'm busy putting some of my stuff in a drawer and I turn around shocked. The outdoor terrace hammock swings softly and Lucky gets closer yawning sleepy... she's been there all the time... "Baby?" I stare at her in disbelief with my mouth wide open before mumbling.

"Your hair... is green..."

"Mmm... yes it is, do you like it?" The assassin grimaces while looking at her reflection in the mirror above the chest of drawers. "I feel so awkward, honestly, but I guess I'll get used to it eventually..."

"You look great, it suits you... You're so beautiful... Oh my God... I'm sorry but I wasn't expecting to see you like that... But you look stunning, honestly. No one would be able to recognize you now... Is that my Metallica t-shirt?" I ask stuttering in shock.

"Yes, I took some things from your wardrobe in order to get into de role... no more Italian suits for me..." My girl shrugs and bites her plump lower lip, she looks really awkward and insecure now that she doesn't wear her assassin uniform and I can't help smiling at this new Lucrezia. She's lovely...

"You take my breath away, Lucky, you're so beautiful... Amazing, stunning... I have no words... Perfect. No enemy could recognize you right now, seriously."

"Well, I'm still working on my Spanish accent, I have this new tattoo to hide the scar left by John Wick's knife..." She raises her hand showing me a cute dog that's not completely healed. "And we'll go the continent next month where a plastic surgeon will get rid of the scars on my face and chest. How are you, piccola?"

"You can't call me piccola in public anymore since you're supposed to be Spanish now..." Lucky waves her hand to show me we're alone here and I nod before sitting down on my bed sighing. "Everything went all right, I told the Italians about your death in the line of duty pretending to be sad and giving them my condolences... The truth is that it was hard for them to hide the satisfaction and relief on their faces when they realized you weren't a problem for them anymore. They all believe you died drowned in the Seine saving my life, even Winston accepted the story despite he has a suspicious nature, and the Russian mob agrees on my version so... Ares doesn't exist officially..."

"I won't miss her and, even if I keep my skills as assassin, now I'm Lucky and I live in a tropical paradise... Your father wants to teach me surfing and snorkel. Honestly, I never imagined I could find this level of luxury on an island here in this godforsaken place... I freaked out the first time I walked in the bathroom... I found the sink and the bathtub... and when I stuck my head through the door to take a look at the small backyard, I realized it was the shower... An outdoors shower, surrounded by plants and palm trees that hide the place from prying eyes and the faucet is embedded in the natural rock..." My girl sits down next to me on the mattress, shaking her head in disbelief.

"My dad likes to live comfortably. Lucky... aren't you going to say 'I told you?' You were right about Markov... I still can't believe it, this is my first time... I mean, my dad always tells stories about how people he thought were friends and trustworthy bodyguards betrayed him but this is the first time it happens to me... and it feels unreal..."

"Babe..." The assassin hugs me tight before kissing me gently, my muscles get relaxed against her body and I realize suddenly how anxious I feel when she's not with me, when she can't touch me, I only feel safe when Lucrezia is by my side. "I think it's normal if you're hurt, Markov wasn't only a traitor who wanted to get rid of you and become the new boss, but he was your mother's murderer and you found out in a very dramatic way. I'd be in shock to..."

"I've been having nightmares every night with that boat, his smugly smile and the blood..."

"Not anymore," my girl cuts me off with a harsh tone of voice. "It's over, we're together, you're safe with me and Markov has gone forever... That asshole took your mother from you and almost killed you, I won't let him ruin the rest of your life... We're going to be happy, together..." Lucky cradles my face to kiss me softly again and I sigh happily. "And now get rid of that dress and put the emerald necklace on... You promised..."

"What? Now? My father has that in his safe and..."

"It's in your sock drawer, I asked him to give it to me... I told him it was for you without further explanation although judging by the way he smiled, I think he knows what we're going to do now..."

"Lucky!" I stare at her with my mouth wide open while my cheeks burn but the assassin shrugs and looks at me smirking mischievously. I shake my head, getting up to take my dress off, I love this new Lucrezia. "The green emeralds look weird next to my violet hair..."

"I don't know what you're talking about, you look perfect to me... you're beautiful..." My girl mumbles while getting rid of her clothes very fast before lying on the mattress and beckoning me to move closer. "And that's why I love you..."

"Do you love me because I'm pretty?" I ask crawling to get closer to her body before sitting astride on her hips. The necklace stones sparkle under the sunlight that comes through the windows and the sea breeze shakes my hair. I slide my fingers slowly over her flat abdomen and up to her breasts following the lines of her tattoos.

"I love you because you're brave, strong, smart, funny, fearless and sometimes you get on my nerves but make me feel alive..." Lucky holds her breath when my fingers pinch her nipples naughtily.

"You love me because I'm a Dashkov," I smile amused and she nods.

"Pretty much..." she whispers leaning her thumb on the piercing on my clit, moving her finger very slowly and sending a shiver down my spine. "No, don't move..." she orders placing her free hand on my torso to stop me from leaning forward and kissing her. "Stay still... I want to see that necklace on your pale skin even if those gems aren't as beautiful as you are..." Lucky moves her thumb in circles nonstop and my hips buck like they have developed a mind of their won. "Touch your nipples, baby, I want to see them hard..."

"Lucrezia, please..." I lick my lips because they tingle of desire to kiss her but she shakes her head and keeps her hand on my torso stopping me from falling forward so I obey her, pinching my nipples despite they're already hard for her. My girl answers moving her thumb faster and a desperate moan echoes through the room. "Fuck... it feels so good..."

"I know, my love, this is why your skin gets goose bumps under my hand and your pussy is soaking my abdomen... and I love it... You're so pretty, Odessa and I'm so lucky..." I shake my head and open my mouth to try to explain her that I'm the luckiest one but I only manage to gasp for air and tilt my head back when her finger moves even faster, the piercing metal bar grazes my sensitive node at the same pace she moves her thumb and sends sparks of pleasure through my veins. My hips flutter over my girl's body once again and my pussy lips rub her skin nonstop. "So hot... so soon..."

"I've missed you..." I whisper staring at her while biting my lower lip and my pelvis rocks back and forth looking for further contact with her finger, her green hair stands out against my white pillow and her eyes shine brighter than the emeralds around my neck while I look at her entranced, her cheeks turn red while she moves her free hand up to cup my breast and her thumb circles my nipple. "Lucrezia... please..."

I fall forwards suddenly and bury my face in the pillow while muffling a cry. Lucky has moved faster than a snake, twisting on the mattress till her head was between my trembling thighs, her hand on my buttock has pushed my hips closer to her face and her lips met my core. Her tongue feels like a red hot iron burning me when she shoves it in my opening and her hum of appreciation sends a shiver down my spine before she goes up and sucks my clit, the tip of her tongue plays with the piercing driving me crazy before licking aggressively. I slide my hands over the mattress till grabbing her hair that's still as silky as before while the pillow stifles my moans and pleas.

"Lucky, don't stop... I'm going to... Fuck..." My body convulses over her face while a powerful orgasm runs through my veins, my hips buck looking for further contact with her mouth till I can't stand it anymore but I don't want her to stop. It feels so good... My girl obeys sucking and licking my flesh, harshly digging her fingertips into my buttocks, enjoying my juices till I fear I'm going to choke her between my thighs and decide to pull away falling next to her on the bed. We both breathe heavily gasping for air. "Shit... How am I going to hand the necklace back to my father? He always knows when I've been a naughty girl... I'll die of embarrassment..."

"Don't you dare to give it back..." Lucrezia chuckles crawling on the mattress till she manages to steal a kiss from my lips. "Keep it in your safe here in this house because we're going to repeat this... often if possible..."