4: Another Note

**Evelyn**

“So you only found Mancini's body? There were three more bodies, where did they go to?" I yelled. I could feel my temple throbbing painfully. I already had a lot to worry about now bodies were disappearing? Color me green and call me a fucking alien!

“We don't know! There wasn't blood anywhere else just around Mancini. No weapons or anything indicating someone else was there. It was clean, Evie," Sasha said, eyeing me warily. I knew how it looked but I didn't care. I don't.

“Send some men back there. They should search until they can find something," I muttered turning around on my heels and stalking out. I couldn't handle this. First, there was a strange note and bloodlust flower on mum's grave and now those men's bodies had disappeared. I still hadn't even told anybody about the new boss in town fiasco.

Nobody knew where mum was buried. Not even Sasha. The only people aware were Dad and I. I would've thought Maxim but he couldn't pull this off. Unless someone else was here. But who? I sighed and pushed the door to my room open. I was still in my blood drenched clothes so I headed to the bathroom and stripped immediately. I put a bath bomb in the tub and stepped in, immediately relaxing as my body soaked up the warmth and comfort of the water.

“What exactly is going on?" I wondered, sighing. After spending about 30 minutes in the bath, I got out and began to dress up. The engagement party was in an hour. Whether I liked it or not I had to look my best. I'd spent years in the shadows of the mafia doing all the dirty work. Now, it was time to make connections. I would let the people know that the Queen was here.

I put on a brown sleeveless dress that hugged my body in all the right places. It had a belt attached to it and I clasped it around my waist. I packed my hair in a low bun, leaving a few tendrils to fall at the sides. I had large eyes courtesy of my mother and I lined them with mascara before applying the rest of my makeup. For jewelries, I donned a silver necklace and earrings, hoping that would be enough. Finally, I was ready.

“Evie, you in there? Boss man said I should let you know the guests have started arriving and that your fiance is waiting for you. Also, The Family said you should leave your gun," Sasha called through the door. I paused. My hand was on my gun and I was already trying to fit it somewhere discreet in my dress.

“What? Why?" I asked, incredulously. That would mean I'd be the only one at the party not having a weapon. Nobody fully trusted each other in the mafia. Everybody else there would have a gun except me. No.

“They said they can't have you acting like a deranged psychopath. You're supposed to come off as meek and timid, the perfect trophy wife."

What a joke! Like everybody hadn't heard my name already. They knew who I was what would shock them. Besides, if nobody else knew my true nature, Maxim did and was the the most important pawn in this game. Hissing, I forced the gun beneath my dress. They could burn in hell for all I care, my gun goes where I go.

Stepping out of the room, Sasha eyed me sighing.

“They were serious, Evie. They even have guards waiting at the stairs to search you," Sasha pleaded. I smirked and winked at her.

“Then we might as well not let them catch me." I grinned as I sauntered down the stairs. The party was in full swing. I could hear the classical music playing from the top of the stairs. I looked down and saw the sea of people all waiting for me. Almost every man had a woman hanging off his side. Then there was my father and The Family. They walked with Maxim, most likely trying to introduce him as the future Bratva leader. Not on my watch.

I glided down the stairs, a soft, welcoming smile on my face—

“You look like you're looking for prey," Sasha cut in. I snapped my gaze to her and narrowed my eyes.

“Evelyn! Zhizn moya!" Father exclaimed, immediately he caught sight of me. He pecked me on the cheek before handing me over to Maxim.

“You look lovely, Iyubimaya,” Maxim said, wrapping an arm around my waist. I gagged.

“I am not your darling, idiot," I spat. Maxim looked down at me with a smile and pecked my forehead.

“Still haven't learnt how to love, Evelyn? You're still that stone-hearted bitch from all those years ago. Now let me give you a little advice, learn to play nice or you'll not have control over anything in this Bratva."

I gasped. Now he was showing his true colors. Inching up to him and adding more venom in my gaze, I said, “Now let me give you a little advice, you'll do your job and we'll get married and then I'LL be in charge of everything. I will watch as you please mercy, Orlov but I will not forgive. Now fuvking smile for the people." And then I turned around with a smile and faced the audience. I doubted any one of them could feel the tension and anger rolling off Maxim and I.

Father and The Family were already on the stage, watching us. They beat their forks on their glasses and began talking

“Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the engagement of my daughter, Evelyn Karamazov and her fiance, my soon to be son in law, Maxim Orlov. It is with great joy I announce this union. Evelyn, Maxim, please, come up,” Father announced, beckoning to us. Maxim's hand tightened around my waist as we walk up to the stage and collect the microphone.

"Thank you, father. Out of everyone here, I am the happiest. This union is the one thing that's been in my way since and now, I've obtained it. Marriage is one thing on the list, progress is the next. Maxim?” The crowd cheered at my speech. A few looked pensive at it. Upon closer inspection, you'd see the speech wasn't what I set it up as.

"I do not have much to say. Only that being married to Evelyn Karamazov has been my dream since day one. Please, celebrate with us and prepare for more celebrations. I assure you, you won't have to wait long before hearing more good news,” Maxim said, with a wink. Ew. He was talking about children. Me? Children with Maxim? Over my dead body.

“Show us some chemistry!" Someone from the crowd yelled. I gulped. Maxim turned to me with a smirk.

"Why don't we give the crowd what they want, Iyubimaya?” And with that, he tugged me closer and crushed his lips on mine. I stayed still, not even opening my lips go give him access. Maxim was sloppy. After a while, he raised his head and whispered in my ear,

"We'll work on that later. Preferably in my bed.”

I was about to retort when I caught a movement at the end of the hall. A man dressed in all black was moving away stealthily. Just before he rounded the corner, he turned his head and I caught sight of his eyes. They looked like an abyss.

" Excuse me,” I said, pushing away from Maxim and running off the stage. I tried to follow the man but when I rounded the corner and went into the hall, there was nobody. Just an upturned vase. Raising it up, I caught sight of a paper beneath it. Another note.

Dear Eve,

He will have to die.