|Ilya Zharkov|

"Why am I here, Santino?" I asked him before taking a sip of my double espresso.

He chuckled softly "You'll see."

"I don't like that stupid chuckle you carry around, it means you're plotting—" I ran out of words when I saw Sybella Fiori hopping off an SUV. "What the fuck is she doing here?" I shot a glare at Santino.

"I have a job for the two of you," he said as he stood up.

"No," I got up on my feet and Sybella stopped in front of the table where we were sitting. "I'm not working with this snake," I pointed at her.

"Hi, Ilya," her voice was hoarse as if she was sick or hadn't taken a sip of water in days. "What is he on about?" Sybella didn't take her sunglasses off as she looked between Santino and me.

"I have a job that requires the two of you," Santino said looking at Sybella who stands at 6 feet on those high heels that make her legs look even longer, her breasts are much bigger (surely silicon) but her body is as tight as the last time I fuck—saw her, a little over two years ago.

"What kind of job?" She sat down and then took her sunglasses off revealing her bloodshot and puffy eyes, probably from all that weed she smokes and cocaine she inhales.

"I need you to steal 10 paintings from the Louvre," he said like it was fucking nothing.

"I can do that without her," I stated looking into her blue eyes. "She's useless."

"I'm not," she said calmly which is very much unlike her so she must be stoned. "I can make forgeries like no one in the world. How soon do you need it done?" Sybella gazed at Santino.

Santino sighed "If we don't want to get caught, I calculate this mission will take about two years."

"Two years working with her?" I chuckled bitterly. "You're out of your fuck—"

"A billion for each," Santino interrupted.

"Of us?" The woman asked.

"Painting," the man sitting between us corrected.

It's not like I need the money but I wouldn't mind being five billion euros richer. "You really want those paintings."

"I do, they will be a gift for my future wife," he replied with a big smile.

"You're not engaged," I rose an eyebrow.

"Minor details I can fix in a couple of months," he shrugged. "I'm determined to find the love of my life in less than two years so I can marry her when you get the paintings."

"Okay," Sybella accepted. "When will we be briefed?" She stood up.

"I haven't said yes," I crossed my arms looking up at her; it's really hard not to stare at her tits.

"But you will say yes, you love money," she stated.

We've only fucked twice, why does she talk about my interests so confidently? "Whatever," I stood up as I buttoned my jacket. "I will help you but only because you're my friend," I said looking at Santino.

"Great, I'll meet you two in Paris two weeks from now for the briefing," he said with a grin. "We are going to have so much fun."

"Fun?" I chuckled. "With this treacherous bitch? I'm sorry my friend but you're wrong."

Sybella ignored my comment by putting on her sunglasses and exiting the place.

|Sybella Fiori|

"Why did you say yes?" Antonio asked as I took a seat across from him "you hate that man."

"Because I've run out of things to live for," I sniffled. "This will give me a new purpose."

Antonio was quiet for the whole plane ride to Greece where my best friend's wedding will be held. My best friend happens to be Anna Zharkov aka Ilya's sister. I met her 6 years ago at a bar in Russia and we shared a bottle of vodka; we've been inseparable ever since, she was the only one outside my team who knew about my baby and lover but I won't spoil her wedding with my tragedy, she has been so good to me even after what I did to her brother which has nothing to do with my love for her.

When the plane touched down my eyes were better thanks to all the remedies I tried, like the ice and drops I used back when I didn't want anyone knowing I was stoned in the middle of a job. On the ride to the venue, the white SUV sent by Anna was followed by 10 of my own cars.

Once we got to the villa, I hopped off the car after Antonio, he told me he would be outside with everyone else to what I nodded.

"Hello, pretty," I faked a big smile as I walked into the bride's bedroom.

"You're here!" She said in her cute Russian accent. "I missed you so much!" Anna hugged me tightly and it was just what I needed but if it kept going for much longer I would break so I pulled away "how was your flight?"

"Okay," I shrugged.

"Do you want some breakfast?" She asked.

"I already had some on the plane," I pecked her right cheek. "Let me worry," with my foot I closed the door behind me "what's left to do?"

"My makeup," she took her glasses off, "but I wanted you to do it because you're my lucky charm."

"Okay, babe," I put my bag down and followed her to the white vanity by the French doors that lead out to a balcony with a splendid view of the ocean. Jay would've loved this...

I did my best friend's makeup while she told me about her upcoming honeymoon in Aruba; it didn't help, I had Jay and Avyanna in my mind the whole time but I kept myself together.

Anna left the bedroom before I did because her parents wanted a word with her. I took this time to change into the dress she chose for me which is different than the ones the bridesmaids are wearing since I'm the maid of honor. The dress is black with a golden snake spine going down my back.

I applied black eyeshadow on my eyelids and used golden eyeliner, my lips were filled with red lipstick which I stared at for a minute or two...it took me back to the gruesome scene...

"It's okay..." I dug my nails into my palms "you're fine," I gazed at myself in the mirror and saw tears running down my cheeks. "Fuck," a frustration groan left my mouth as I grabbed a Kleenex to fix the black stains.

Before leaving the room, I slipped my golden heels on and finally left. My hair is naturally straight so I just tucked it behind my ears.

"Hi, Slava," I smiled softly at the middle child of the Zharkovs. "How are you?"

"Good, you?" He pecked both of my cheeks.

"Fine," I sniffled "you look really handsome," I caressed his right cheek.

"You look gorgeous," he pecked my palm and then frowned. "You're cold as ice, are you sick?" He looked into my eyes with concern.

"I'm fine," I said removing my hand from his cheek. "I was just drinking some iced water."

"I can call—"

"I'm fine, Slava," I pecked both of his cheeks, again. "I'll see you at the table."

"Wait," he said grasping for my left wrist. "I want to show you something in my room."

I chuckled weakly looking at him "Fine but make it quick because your sister will kill me if I'm not at the altar before her."

"Like I care," he scoffed as he dragged me to his bedroom on the basement level of the villa.

"What do you want to show me?" I asked as I sat on the edge of his messy bed.

He brought a chair close and sat in front of me "I know you, Sybella," the man took my hands in his'. "What's going on? You might be able to fool my sister but not me."

Slava also became a great friend of mine, he is like my older brother. With Anna is more laughs and yeah deep talk but Slava was always able to read me from the beginning; the only one I didn't build a bond with is Ilya and he has his valid reasons.

"It's nothing," I shook my head looking into his eyes. "I'm just emotional because your sister will no longer be at my beck and call."

"Stop lying," he insisted.

I gazed down at our intertwined hands and my lower lip instantly started quivering "I just—" my voice broke "do you remember a year ago when I went MIA?"

"Yeah," he nodded slowly.

"Well," I sniffled "I was pregnant."

He seemed out of breath "Really?" A soft smile formed on his lips "that is amazing, beautiful but why are you so sad if you have a baby? And apparently a boyfriend too."

"I don't anymore," I sobbed looking down at the floor "they died."

"What?" It came out as a whisper "when? Where? How?" He sat beside me and held me close as he stroked my hair.

"Someone killed them last night," I gripped the lapels of his jacket "I held my baby's lifeless body, she was only 6 months old!" I cried out "she didn't do anything wrong! It's all my fault!"

"It's not your fault," Slava pulled me closer "I'm so sorry, Sybella..."

|Ilya Zharkov|

"Whiskey," I said as I left my glass on the bar. My eyes scanned the people as the bartender filled my cup "thank you," I picked it up and went back to my table where I sat beside my mother although she left before I could say a word; she's mad at me because I didn't attend the bachelor party but someone in this family has to work so whatever. The only other person at the table was Sybella, she looked lost in her thoughts as she played with a diamond bracelet around her left wrist.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked. Only two chairs separate us so she could hear me perfectly but she didn't answer. I rolled my eyes and chugged down the brown liquid. "That snake on your back suits you, it sure is your spirit animal," still no reply or reaction. "Stop fucking playing the victim, we both know it doesn't go with—" my eyes fell on her chair and it was empty but I spotted her walking back into the villa as she held her skirt up. "Manners, Sybella, manners," I looked down at my empty glass.

They keep the good stuff in the kitchen for the lunch tomorrow so I went there and there was a ton of vodka bottles but vodka isn't my thing. I know, shocker because I'm Russian but the flavor is so chemical. Then I found the rum Apollo loves; the good stuff. I filled my glass and took a few sips as I watched girls walk in and out of the house; I need someone to fuck tonight, then my idiot young brother appeared.

"You haven't said hi," he reprehended.

"Hi," I licked my lips as the taste of the rum faded. "Are you up to no good as I taught you?"

"Nah, I'm looking for Sybella," he said wandering around with his eyes.

"Why do you like her?" I groaned. "She's a bitch, remember what she did to me."

"Give her a break," he sighed deeply.

"Why? She sure complains about me more than I about her."

"Just leave her alone," Slava said irritated.

"Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?" I poked his neck repeatedly.

He swatted my hand away "Because I say so."

"Oh look how I'm trembling," I chuckled.

"Trembling," he corrected my over rolling of the r's.

I pushed him "Shut up! Do you like Sybella? That snake is not allowed in my family, dumbass."

"Stop calling her that!" He snapped.

"Why?!" I snapped back.

"Because she just lost her boyfriend and baby!" He growled.