Kirby Carter

When you pull up outside the address Darby had given you, an uneasy weight in the pit of your stomach forms at the sight of the abandoned warehouse..

The scent of salt and sea-brine mixed with the metallic iron-ore of the shipping yards swirls in the air as you and the viking step out of the car and make your way toward the buildings entrance..

Kirby At least there arent many people nearby.. You guess.. After all, if something goes wrong during construction, at least you wont wipe out an entire neighbourhood of innocent lives..

So that is some consolation..

Though, you can't escape the unsettling thought that down here, so far out of the city in this desolate wearhouse district.. While there is nobody to harm, there is also nobody to hear you scream..

Sensing your apprehension, the viking tucks his arm around your shaking shoulders, pulling you into his warmth as your legs work overtime to keep up with his striding gait.. "The docks are Bratva territory, Duchess.. You're safe here.."

You hum hesitantly, pausing at the doorway and turning to look up at his stoic expression.. "I'm not safe, anywhere, Viking.. I know that.."

His mouth flattens in a pained grimace.. "You're safe with me, Kirby.. I won't let anything happen to you, or Lucky.. Just do what you do best, baby.."

You frown.. "What is that?"

He smiles encouragingly.. "Persist."

You are suddenly reminded of an inner strength you forget you had.. That same fire that had led you to becoming and informant against Malcom, the one that had driven your life on the run..

You are persistent.. Damn persistent.. And despite the odds, you had successfully kept your sister away from harm for over a decade.. This is just one final push.. To finish what was started all those years ago when Malcom brought you for his cause.. "You're right.. I can do that.."

In a flash, the rusted steel door swings open with a clatter to reveal a very tall, very handsome heavy featured man, with caramel eyes and thick dark hair.. "Khorosho, chto ty zdes', brat.. Irlandtsy stali razdrazhat'.."

He addresses the Viking respectfully l with a sharp nod and Hunter chuckles darkly, though you have no idea what he is saying..

The only parts you manage to catch are that he calls Hunter "brother" and says something about "the Irish" other than that, you've got nothing..

Your Russian language skills are basically none..

The dark Russian turns his interested eye on you.. "Iz thiz 'er?"

His accent is thick and fluid.. Harsh yet smooth at the same time..

Hunter nods.. "Da.. This is our bomb-maker, KC.. Kirby, this is Konstantin Ivanov, Bratva Captain and Ex-KGB security expert..."

Konstantin nods to you before extending his large hand.. "Your devicez are enviable, mizz.."

What a strange compliment from a truely terrifying man.. "I'm glad.."

You're glad, because if others envy them it means they dont know how to make them.. It is of some relief to know that Darby hasnt sold your original ULTRA design to anyone else..

Konstantin smirks as he shakes you're hand in a firm grip.. "The weazel awaitz uz.."

You look up at Hunter, confused.. "He means Declan.."

You suppress a chortle.. Entirely because 'weasel' is the most perfect description for Darby you've ever heard.. And even though you are terrified of Konstantin, you cant help but kind of like the guy, for that sassy comment alone..

You make your way through the first floor of the wearhouse where a couple of men with oversized automatic weapons mill about, though they make no attempt to stop the three of you as you pass them to climb the staircase to the upper level.. ....

Darbys makeshift lab is hardly up to standard, no better than a downtown meth lab really.. Not that you had been expecting much.. A handful of men are posted around the windows of wide open plan floor..

There, at the work benches in the centre of the room stands Darby.. Smugly grinning from ear to ear.. "Theres my girl, Summer!.. Whaddya think, babe?"

With Hunter and Konstantin towering at either side like a pair of sentinels giving you courage, you cross to join Darby in the center of the room.. Utterly stunned to see who stands behind him.. Hands folded in front and head bowed, like some kind of henchman, you may have only met him once, but the guy has the kind face no woman could forget.. Ace Greyson..

"I think me and your boys will be lucky to survive construction in this shithole.. But then again, I wasn't expecting much from you, Declan.."

You cant keep your eyes from going over Darby's shoulder to Ace.. He shows no signs of recognition, simply staring starighfaced ahead.. You have no idea how he has managed to work his way onto Darbys team, but you are thoroughly impressed.. and concerned for the guy.. If Darby finds out, you hate to think of what he might do..

Declan notices your not so subtle surprised glance at his newest recruit.. His eyes flashing angrily.. "What?.. Yer' allowed to bring ya bodyguards but I'm not?.. Or do ya wanna fuck him too?.. God you're a relentless slut, aint ya!"

A rage burns deep inside you.. The nerve of him, he doesn't need to take things to such a personal place, he's just fucking with you, and that, combined with your recent lack of sleep and the terrible dinner with your friends, well it really sets your temper off.. "Poor Declan.. So jealous, nobody wants to fuck him.. Even if he pays them.. We both know your filthy bodyguard would love to put his hands on me, and if you fucking test me Darby.. I might just let him.. "

Hunter shifts beside you while Ace presses his lips together in order to keep a straight face..

Fuck Darby.. He is such a voyeur, and way too obsessed with your sexuality, he kind of always was..

Ever since you lost your virginity to a guy at Malcom's camp who Darby was infatuated with.. Not that it had meant all that much to you.. But to Declan, it had been a slap in the face..

"Just make my device, you nasty fucking bitch.. Or your sister - who has no problem fuckin wit me, by the way - will get more than a little sick.."

He turns, pating Ace on the shoulder who then obediently follows him back downstairs..

Feeling nauseated, you shout after him, but he doesn't bother to respond.. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean, you sneaky fucking bastard!?"

But it doesn't matter, because you know exactly what it means.. Darby has already been testing his poisons on your sister.. If you don't get this device built, there is no saying what the consequence will be for Lucky..

You don't want to find out..

Konstantin snickers at your outburst, moving to take a seat by the work benches, while Hunter watchers you, waiting for you to move.. That's when you realise exactly what you had said..

Oops..

Guilt immediately begins to strangle your senses..

Shit.. You hadn't meant to say any of that stuff as an insult to him, and of course you would never actually follow through with your taunts.. It was more of a defensive reflex than a reflection of who you are..

You really hope you didn't just mess everything up.. "Sorry, Axe.. He just.. Pisses me off so much.. I didn't mean--"

The Viking shakes his head, eyeing the other men in the room carefully.. You can sense he doesn't want to have this discussion here.. "Its fine, KC.. You better get started.."

You get the distinct feeling it is not at all fine.. But you can't have that argument with him here.. So with a sigh you shrug out of your heavy jacket and circle the workbench to begin sorting through and sizing several bundles of wire..

You can feel every eye in the room on you as you begin your work.. All these lives, albeit not the saintly-est, now in your hands..