Today wasn’t the first time she’d imagined killing him. She’d imagined doing it many times. She’d pictured it in minute detail, going over every little thing she’d do to him.

She’d imagined telling him what had happened to her mother, telling him how she’d felt when he’d forced her onto her knees behind his desk. She’d imagined the feeling of satisfaction she’d get when he realized he was going to die, and that, in the end, she was the one who held the power.

She’d imagined all the satisfaction she’d feel.

Looking at him now, his dead body, she got none of that.

She felt, for the first time, as if she was seeing him for what he truly was.

What all of them truly were.

These men who ruled the vast expanse that was the Russian Federation. A domain that stretched over six thousand miles, a quarter of the way around the globe.

They were monsters, but not the monsters she’d imagined. They were frail, cowardly, always skulking in the darkness, like Gollum, afraid of their own shadow, afraid of losing what treasure they’d found, and guarding it with such jealousy it warped their entire being.

They were terrified of the world.

And beneath their thumb, was a button that could destroy it.

And for all the pomp and ceremony, the grand schemes and vast destructive powers, when they died, they went out the same way as everyone else.

Not with a bang but with a whimper.

She looked at her watch and pulled onto the street in the direction of the Garden Ring. There wasn’t much time, but if she was fast, she might still make it to Lance.

Afterword

I hope you enjoyed this book.

I’m already working on a sequel so if you’d like to be notified of its release, please add your name to the Advance Notice list below.

If you have any concerns at all about this story, if you spotted any typos or errors, or if you’d just like to get in touch to say hello, please feel free to contact me at any time.

I can always be reached by email at:

[email protected]

I am always thrilled to hear from readers so please stop by, say hello, let me know what you think of Lance Spector and the world he inhabits.

God bless and happy reading,

Saul Herzog