Never trust the best friend

Day 3 in Russia.

I have eaten every single meal with Ivan.

I want to kill myself.

No, to give him credit not every second has been awful.

Sometimes, here's a shocker, he's made me laugh.

And only once since have I made him properly laugh.

The laugh that makes my insides melt and fall out.

I have also explored all over, this house is pretty plain but I like the use of plants around for decoration.

I have a very important dinner tonight, me and Ivan are supposed to meet someone called Adam and his wife Ava. Adam is his right hand man.

While he's away in America Adam over sees everything and like me Ava is along for the ride.

Maybe we'll be friends.

Ivan has also informed me Adam can't know this is a fake marriage or else he'll disrespect me and that will be annoying for everyone.

So Adam sounds like a little shit.

I try to actually put some real effort into my appearance.

It's a very important dinner, and I need Adams respect.

So I go all out with a new dress and new shoes and even use makeup.

"Let's go!" Ivan calls.

I throw one more glance in the mirror and smirk.

I look hot.

The gun strapped to my thigh makes me feel good too.

Though that's psychologically confusing.

I get to the top of the stairs, my heels make a clicking noise forcing Ivan to look up.

I feel a rush go through my whole body when his mouth opens slightly.

I walk down the stairs smirking and finally arrive beside him.

"Do I look okay?" I ask him taking his arm as we walk outside.

"If looks could kill, I'd have dropped dead" he replies opening the door for me.

"Excellent" I say.

We're in the car for 10 minutes until we come to a stop.

Ivan gets out first and opens the door for me.

I am happy to see he's changed his tie to red.

Black suit and red tie.

We look good.

My breath halts when I climb out.

There are easily 50 men and some women in black suits.

"What is this?"

"The most dangerous and wanted mafia leader is out for dinner with the heir to the Spanish mafia and meeting his right hand man. God we're sitting ducks we need protection." He replies holding my hand.

"There's so many people here" I breathe out walking past all the people.

Who all bow their head softly.

"Many are probably falling in love with you" Ivan says quietly looking at me.

"Oh?"

"You look beautiful tonight Elle, you know that"

I smile in response and we step inside.

"Ivan! Over here" someone...Adam I'm guessing calls.

Ivan smiles and walks over. The two hug while I smile at Ava.

She's very pretty, gorgeous ginger hair and soft blue eyes. She looks to be in her 30's.

She smiles back at me.

Adam turns to me looking me up and down slowly.

"And who is this fine lady?" He says going in for a hug.

I hug him back.

He smells weird.

Like iron.

"My wife, Elle Winters" Ivan says as we walk into the restaurant.

"You've scored very lucky Ivan, she's gorgeous"

Ivan says nothing as we all sit down.

The two talk about strategies and enemies.

Boring.

"So..how'd you meet Adam?" I ask Ava.

"Uh he actually kidnapped me when I was 20 ahah but we fell in love" she replies drinking her champagne.

Lovely.

Stockholm syndrome.

"That's real nice...you two are married of course but do you have any children?"

"Oh well not right now but I'll have to get one out soon, Adam needs an heir- he really wants children" she says smiling at him.

"An heir? To what?"

"Oh nothing sweetie I was getting confused with this show I've been watched called the great ahah"

"Oh right I see"

I tune back into Adam and Ivan's conversation.

"I feel you don't need to come to Russia so often, I mean you've got a wife now surely" Adam is saying laughing.

"I suppose so, i'll have to think about it" Ivan says over drinks.

"And you Elle? Do you like Russia"

"Oh it's very beautiful here, so cold though especially considering it's July!" I say laughing.

"Well your not used to cold weather, it's very warm in Spain it's extra warm in the summer? Crazy" he says.

I nod smiling.

Ivan glances at me and I nod at him reassuringly.

Because I am okay.

I am bored as fuck.

But I am okay.

Although there's a feeling in my gut that just won't go away.

"We better head home" Ivan says.

"No no we need to discuss Amsterdam" Adam says.

"Oh.." I say quietly.

It's far too late I need to sleep.

"Elle why don't you go home and Ivan can stay later" Ava says to me.

"Oh yeah good idea" Ivan says.

No.

I don't want to be without him.

"Okay" I say shakily.

I get up and kiss Ivan on the cheek.

"I'm just gonna run to the bathroom" I say.

I walk over to the rest room, my stomach in knots.

I'm washing my hands when I see a period ad on the wall.

My head flicks on like a switch.

Iron.

Blood.

Blood smells like iron.

Adam smells like iron.

He smells like blood.

And he wants Ivan out of Russia for longer.

Earlier Ava said he needed an heir.

He would only need that if he became leader of the mafia.

Suddenly an awful feeling hits me that something bad is going to happen.

Happen to Ivan.

I tear off a piece of toilet paper and use a pen on the counter to scribble down.

Do not trust Adam.

I'll hand it to Ivan when I walk out.

I open the door and see two security men.

Odd...

I walk forward and just as I'm about to walk out the front one grabs my arm and drags me back.

I twist out quickly and reach for my gun.

I pull it on the body guard.

"Put your weapon down Miss"

"Put yours down first" I challenge.

He slowly lowers his and as I'm about to lower mine the second one comes up behind me shoving a cloth over my mouth.

I gasp.

I feel my vision blacken and I raise my gun to the air and fire 2 shots.

Before I black out.