Ebun experienced a turbulence of several roaring sentiments as she kept staring at Sean's text. Sean's messages always made her feel that way particularly because of how agitating they always were - driving her to want to take immediate action.

Right now, she felt very furious with Sean for the fact that the only time that he'd deemed it right to text her was because there was a rape case he wanted her to handle. What about the heartfelt text she'd mustered all the courage to send? Had she just expressed her emotions in vain? Was he forgetting the fact that he was now her boyfriend and not just her partner in murder operations? Did he think that these were the old times?

She wanted to yell at him and slap him through the phone. She'd even made up her mind not to go. She didn't always have to handle rape cases even if the victims were similar to her. Sean could as well handle the job. After all, he was the big boss of the psycho barracks.

But when she glanced at the name on the last line of the text message, she couldn't reject the job because the name spiked up so much adrenaline and anger in her system.

Curtis G. Levi.

Grigory Levin - the name Gaius had mentioned during the interrogation; the name of the gang leader. The name Sean had provided had sounded so similar, so awfully alike that Ebun could swear and bet her life on two possibilities: First, it was either Sean had gotten a few details or a few spellings wrong from the assaulter's name or the molester had made some slight changes to his identity through his name.

Still, Ebun wasn't going to be fooled.
The 'G' initial in his name had to be Grigory. If not, why the heck was it there and more so, beside a name like Levi?! It just had to be that name. There was no way someone of that name type and even the same criminal conduct could not be Grigory.

Besides, why else was the information coming at the exact time range when she'd discovered the rapist's name? Moreso, he was in Russia - a European country! Gaius had said that the headquarters of the Black Vipers Organization was in a European country. So she couldn't just let this pass by. This guy really was daring her and wanted her to fight and that was exactly what she was going to do!

As Ebun's mind raced with thoughts and several theses, she paused for a moment when her subconscious began to chastise her.

Ebun, you know you aren't being too wise, right? This 'G' initial really could be any name - George, Graham or even Green!

Yes, yes I know. Ebun shook her head vehemently as though the movement would shut her inner voice up.

Still, her defense to this particular deduction was the fact that she had no idea what the leader of the gang looked like. If she did, she wouldn't even need anyone advising her to be wise. After that daunting experience at Novosibirsk (after she'd spent hours on the journey only to kill a random rapist guy that wasn't a part of the gang), she knew better than to jump so hastily into murder assignments like that.

She knew she was being hasty with this too but the situation here was much trickier. It would be a huge regret for her if she decided not to chase after this guy only to find out later that he was the leader of the gang and a member of the Black Vipers Mafia. That was another thing that could happen which she may never be able to forgive herself.

Also, another motivation for her to want to take on the assignment was based on the thesis that all of her rapists apart from Stephen had names that started with the alphabet 'G'-Geoffrey, Gilbert, Gordon, Gaius now Grigory. Of course, she didn't know why that was so but it was still worth considering. Even if the 'G' initial in his name doesn't turn out to be Grigory, it was still deserving of her effort. This Curtis guy really could have just changed his name.

So she decided she was going to go back to Russia.

And she informed her sister about it. Yemisi, unfortunately but unsurprisingly was against the idea.

"You're going to Russia? Just like that? You've not even spent a month here and you're flying back already?!" she shrieked hysterically as though a plate of spaghetti had been spilled on her bedspread.

"You literally almost got raped again by the same set of people. The last thing you want to do right now is fly from Africa to Europe so carelessly as though you were strolling to your bathroom. We're still here, trying to stay alive and even thinking of ways to protect you and you're going far away all of sudden.

This was the same way you told us you'd be schooling in Russia thirteen years ago with no valid reason. Tell me, who is this person that has such an influence so strong on you that you don't even mind putting your life on the line? There has to be someone pulling those strings."

"Well, yes," Ebun sighed, breathing in deeply in defeat. It was time to tell her. "It's a man whom I love. The other day you were asking if I found love in Russia. Yes, I did. I need to go and meet with him. He has an important assignment for me - one that involves a big possibility of finding the leader of the gang. We've been doing this together for a while now."

"But you also said that it felt like you were wasting your time in Russia. Do you still not trust in me and my ability to help you? Am I still hard on you?" her face dropped. She looked wounded.

"No sis. Please don't say that because that's not the situation at all - at least, not anymore. I trust you now," she assured her sister. "But if you also remember in our conversation, I told you that I was able to find one of the gang members during my stay. Even though the member didn't reveal any information about the leader, it was my lover that helped me find him - at least through his solid assurance. Please just let me go and try things for myself." She clasped Yemisi's hands in hers.

Yemisi didn't say anything for a minute. She was contemplating on whether it was okay for her to restrain her sister without coming off as a control freak. On the other hand, she imagined how guilty she'd feel if she didn't play her part in being a protective and caring. It was a tough battle and it felt like she was walking on eggshells. There was such a thin line separating the right decision from the wrong one.

"Hm. That sounds a bit relieving. I just pray you stay alive and he protects you well. I would have suggested that you go with Gaius so he can help you with whatever you need that's related to identifying the leader but it's too damn risky. There's a high chance that he'd lose his life," Yemisi licked her lips nervously. "Or...do you want me to follow you? I know I did it forcefully the last time and made people spy on you but this time around, I really just want to be by your side in case of danger. I'm so worried for you. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from."

"I understand you, sis. I appreciate you even. But it won't be necessary for you to accompany me."

"Okay, I guess you're still freaked out from what happened the last time. How about I send at least two of my men? Please just let me do my part in ensuring your safety. That would help me not to have a heart attack while I remain here. Trust me they won't try to stop you from doing what you want to do like the previous people I assigned. They'll just come to rescue whenever you're in danger."

"Okay," Ebun gave in. "You can send your men."

'Thank you so much for letting me," she closed her eyes dreamily in relief. "By the way, what does your lover do? Is he a lawyer, a detective or what? How has he been able to help you out with your goal?"

Ebun's heart throbbed in anxiety. She'd always feared this moment. She was scared of what her sister would think if she knew about what Sean did and it was mostly because she still wasn't comfortable with the idea of letting her sister know in detail, the things she was doing in Russia. It just didn't sit right with her. So she gathered up the strength to let a few lazy words proceed from her mouth.

'No he's not any of those but he's really capable and he's been able to help me."

"Looks like that's a secret," Yemisi raised a skeptical eyebrow. "But it's no problem. I'm glad you've found the ability to love and even trust someone of the male gender. I can't wait to meet this man who has managed to bring out this loving side of you."

"Yeah...me too," Ebun gave a sheepish smile.

***

When Ebun arrived at Russia a few days later, she took a quick visit to her territory, Khovrino Hospital. She needed to see how things were going - to know if any criminal of extreme importance had stepped into her hospital like Gilbert had done.

She also needed to pack some weapons to get prepared for the assignment that lay ahead of her. Sean was going to send the location where they were to meet. She'd gone to the psycho barracks the previous day, believing that she'd find him there since that was his territory but she didn't and one of the inhabitants of the barracks had delivered a message to her from Sean telling her to wait on him until he gave her a location. That was exactly what she was doing now.

Sean was busy and absent. He was too occupied to even drive a few kilometers to welcome her at the airport and proceed with the assignment he'd given her. He was even making her wait after summoning her with great urgency. He was too consumed with his own freaking activities to do these simple things. And so, Ebun decided that she wasn't going to worry herself either until he made his move.

Once she was done with her assignment, she'd decided that she'd break up with him. Granted, he'd done such a huge thing for her over the years but perhaps it was her fault for feeling so grateful to him to the point of falling in love with him. Maybe all he'd just wanted to do was to help her.

Perhaps, he wasn't the right man for a partner. After all, he'd always told her that he didn't like women. He didn't know how to love even a woman like her and make an exception for her. So she was going to end things but remain cordial with him. She and her sister had reconciled so she could work with her sister instead to find the leader. She didn't have much to loose.

As she continued to rummage her safe for suitable weapons to select, Nurse Zoya walked into her office. When Ebun heard the footsteps, she turned and saw her employee, standing by the entrance. Ebun smiled warmly at her. Nurse Zoya giggled and even let out a small squeal. Then she rushed towards her employer and engulfed her in a tight, warm embrace.

"Eet's good to see you, boss!"

"I was only away for a few weeks though. In fact, I came back sooner than I thought I would," Ebun said in amusement as to why Nurse Zoya seemed to have missed her so much but the fact that she had been missed and appreciated by her subordinate warmed her heart greatly. So she reciprocated Zoya's gesture by wrapping her arms around her shoulder, hugging her in return.

"Yes, yes I know ahll zat! Steel, ze khospital felt your absence. How vas Nigeria?"

"It was very fruitful. I saw three of the members within a week."

"Vow," Nurse Zoya disengaged herself from the hug to look her boss in the eye. "So vhy did you come bek?"

"I have an urgent assignment to do here."

"Oh..." Zoya nodded n understanding. Then slowly, her countenance changed, transforming from a relaxed, relieved expression to a troubled one. "Boss, I hev somezing important to tell you," she began to play with her fingertips.

"What's that?" Ebun's countenance changed too when she noticed the change of mood. Her expression was evident of worry.

'Eet's...eet's..." Nurse Zoya looked at her boss. Her face looked more dolorous and fearful even. Then she returned to playing with her fingertips. Nurse Zoya, the ever brave and unfazed employee was now looking so frightened as fear flagged itself through the lines of her face. She looked scared for employer's sake and this agitated Ebun all the more.

"It's what?' Ebun nudged impatiently.

"I...I vill..." her irises darted from left to right. She lowered her head and began to stare at the floor, studying the pattern of the tiled floor as her mind raced with thoughts. "I vill tell you soon." She finally completed her sentence after what seemed like forever.

"Look, you can't just-"

"I'll tell you after you've responded to your text," Zoya said, pointing at Ebun's phone. The bright screen came into display, showing a notification banner of a text she'd just received. This move from Zoya succeeded in distracting Ebun and diverting her attention from the matter on ground.

When Ebun checked the text message, she saw that Sean had sent the location, meaning that she had to go and see him right away.

Meet me at Grand Café Dr. Jhivago Restaurant.

Ebun blinked in momentary confusion. A restaurant?

In the past, they'd always met at more rugged places - opium dens, the reformed rehab centre (a. k. a. the psycho barracks) and an open field that was miles away from Moscow. Why was he choosing a restaurant this time? Was the victim a chef or something? Either way, she had no other choice but to meet him there and get this shit over with.

So she glanced back at Nurse Zoya who was still fidgeting and battling with her thought and said some words to snap her out of her reverie.

"I have to go now, Zoya, and trust me I won't forget that you said you have something to tell me. When I come back, you must tell me what it is."

Then she dismissed her and began to prepare for her journey.

***

It had taken Ebun roughly an hour to decide what she wanted to wear and it wasn't because she wanted to impress Sean, no. She was still mad at him. Instead, it was because of the location in question. Surely, she couldn't walk into a five-star, luxurious restaurant dressed in her regular black hoodie, face cap and jeans with two revolvers and five pocket knives torqued into every pocket of her outfit, could she?

Yeah. The bouncers would send her away before she could blink.

So she tried her best to find a dress which was as easy as extracting ice from an erupting volcano. Ebun had only two dresses - one which those bastards had destroyed when they tried to rape her in her sister's office. The second one was a short black dress  Viktoriya had given her for prom five years ago.

With small hopes that the dress would still be her perfect size, she slipped it on and zipped it by the side. Thankfully, the dress still fit well and hugged her small curves and cleavages boldly. After applying minimal makeup and weaving her hair into pigtails, she packed her weapons into her purse and rushed to the venue that was provided in the message.

When she got to the restaurant which was magnificent to say the least, a lanky butler opened the large oak doors for her and bowed so low that his nose could probably have fallen off. Ebun stared in confusion, wondering why butlers still existed in modern establishments like this in this time and age.

"May I eenquire your nem, miss?'

"Ebunoluwa Williams," she answered, still puzzled.

"Oh, you ahre ze special voman!" the butler smiled, revealing a set of broken front teeth. He looked too scary for someone who was supposed to make the guests feel welcome.

'Huh? How am I 'the special woman'?"

The butler didn't do any justice in answering her question. Instead with another curt and low bow, he stretched out his small hand, pointing to a particular direction. "Please, follow me."

Ebun hadn't realized that there were no customers in the restaurant until she was led upstairs and saw a long row of empty chairs, sofas and centre tables. The lighting of the upper part of the restaurant was dim and ornate compared to the twinkling, bright lights that shone richly in the lower parts.

As she continued following in the butler's lead, she began to see rose petals sprinkled all over the floor and a linearly arranged set of fancy candles that burned with blue flames. The dim light from the chandelier above coupled with the bright blue fire from the candles created an aesthetic lighting combination. Ebun's cheeks flushed for a moment when a cheesy, impossible thought came to her mind.

Surely he can't be doing a thing like that right now, can he? She chuckled sardonically, dismissing the thought. It just couldn't be so.

She kept walking in the direction of where the butler was leading her and she studied the paintings and designs hung on the walls and the rose petals below as they multiplied with each step she took. Then when they turned to the left, the butler gave a small bow and began to retreat; leaving her in an open space filled with more 'I heart you' shaped petals and colorful candelabras.

"W-where are you going, you traitor?!" Ebun asked the retreating butler or rather the empty space where the butler had just been. Now, he was nowhere to be found. Sighing, Ebun looked at her surroundings more carefully then when her eyes landed on a figure sitting by one of the tables situated next to the window, she stopped gazing around.

It was Sean. And he was staring at her from where he sat for only God knew how long. He was dressed in a dark blue tuxedo and black trousers - an outfit she'd never seen him wear before. His haircut was neatly done, low and in a fade as usual. Often, he preferred to be bald which suited him well but with this new hair look, he looked breathtaking.

Ebun held her breath and made sure to keep the unbothered expression plastered on her face. She knew what Sean was trying to do by renting a luxurious restaurant, decorating it with candles and subtle lighting and even looking this good but there was absolutely no way on earth that she'd fall for it. So as she moved closer to him, she kept her eyes fixed on the other side of the table where there was an empty seat reserved for her. As she walked, his eyes didn't leave her even till she settled on her seat.

"You look so beautiful," he complimented her in a low voice as though there were other people in the restaurant and he'd wanted only her to hear it. There was also a delicate kind of weakness in his voice that showed that he was truly smitten by her beauty. He'd never seen her in a dress before. And he didn't know that it would her suit her so well. He made a mental note to buy her a couple more of them.

Ebun didn't say anything in response to his comment. She didn't even allow her body to do any form of talking or to pass any form of information across to him. Instead, she stared right into the menu card in front of her and glanced at the list of the available meals and their respective prices. She made sure not to blush or look fazed. Heck, she'd even managed to calm herself from breathing rapidly or letting her heart beat too fast.

Instead, she waited for Sean to get over with the pleasantries and dive right into the topic of the day. However, after the time limit had expired - that is the time limit she'd set for him in her mind, he still wasn't saying anything. Instead, he was staring at her. So she decided to do the diving.

"Can I have details on the molestation case? When am I going to meet with the victim and what plans do I have to make in order to get the job done?"

Just then, a group of waiters appeared with trays of several delicacies in hand. From the corner of her eye, Ebun could see lobsters, shrimp, caviar on toast and cranberry juice - her favorites. Once the waiters put the trays on the table, they wished Ebun and Sean a good meal time. Ebun wasn't interested in having a meal though.

'Let's eat first," Sean urged her, waving a dismissive hand at her previous words in a way of disregarding them. This irritated her even more.

"I'm not here to eat. Please..." she said the word through clenched teeth. "Let's discuss the matter at hand first."

"That's too bad. I have ulcer so I need to eat first before any other thing," Sean pouted his lips and blinked innocently. Then he picked a fork and urged her again. 'You should eat too."

Ebun scoffed. She stared at him in disbelief. What a jerk he was. Sean on the other hand, was much oblivious to her deadly glares. Instead, he'd begun to dig in, scooping a spoonful of broth into his mouth. When Ebun realized that Sean wasn't going to discuss the matter at hand without having a meal with her first, she forced herself to have a few spoonfuls.

So she grabbed her cutlery, stabbed the lobster in front of her and shoved it into her mouth defiantly - for the sake of Curtis G. Levi whom she needed to catch by all means.

As she bent to dig in to the meal, Sean paused his eating and resumed his staring. Now, he was looking at every detail of her - down to the way her hands and fingers flexed with grace whenever she picked the napkin on the table.

He couldn't help himself and before he could even realize what he was doing, he spoke again. "You look so beautiful, Ebun. You really should be more confident in your body because you're so gorgeous. Even the scars on your face add to your unique looks."

Ebun picked the next piece of lobster and made a move to shove it in her mouth but she hesitated, staring at the sea food as though it were a foe. She tried to continue with her meal but she couldn't succeed in doing so. After multiple tries, she dropped the fork against the plate, picked her handbag from the empty seat beside her and stood up.

"I'm sorry but I can't eat with you. Bye."

Then she took a few steps away from the table, heading out of the restaurant. But she hadn't even reached anywhere when a vice-like grip closed around her arm and turned her around.

"I'm sorry, Ebun for not responding to your text," Sean pleaded. There was hurt and pain in his eyes now. The softness in his tone showed that he was wounded.

Oh, so he's aware of what he did... She remarked bitterly in her mind.

"What the fuck is this, Sean? Do you take me for a fool or what? You invite me to a dinner with crappy rose petals and cheap ass candles to achieve what precisely? Do you think I'm jobless?"

"I...I just missed you a lot. That's why I thought that a nice dinner would make you feel special. We haven't had that since we started dating. I wanted to make it up to you."

"You missed me?" Ebun repeated his words, surprised that he'd uttered such a thing. "You say that you missed me and you didn't even send a text when I was in Nigeria. You didn't even reply my text. Instead, you sent a message saying that you have an assignment for me. So what then was the point of sending you a text? Why were you even hesitant to let me go back to Nigeria if you weren't going to check on me afterwards?" She jabbed a finger in his chest in an accusatory manner. Tears were pooling round her eyes.

"Yes, yes. I know I should have texted back. I'm so sorry. I really wanted to reach out to you but I was so busy with trying to deal with the girl who approached me with her case and I was also occupied with my business too - some things related to my aunt who abused me many years ago. That's why I wanted to treat you really well once you come to Russia so I could make up for my bad actions."

"Just say you are sorry and give me some of your time. That's what you should have done. I was really pained to be honest. You're my man - not just my partner in some murder operation and sometimes, you don't show it well enough. You just visit me at the hospital, kiss me and go away or you come to tell me that there's an operation I need to handle. I don't even think we should be together," Ebun shook her head.

"I think I worshipped you too much. Rose petals and romantic dinners aren't even my style and it's so sad that you don't know that simple fact about your girlfriend!" her voice rose in a high pitch and the veins on her neck showed vividly as she screamed in his face.

Then she lowered her head and continued to sob. Sean allowed it for a while and as he took his time to gather his own thoughts, he sighed and spoke in his best attempt of a calm and controlled voice.

"Okay, what's your style?"

"I've never had a particular style or a certain way that I wished to be loved until I met you. Upon falling in love with you, I realized that I loved smoking cigarettes with you. Weaponry trainings with steamy kisses in between became things that I yearned for with you. I wanted to go on more adventures with you - escapades that were even more exciting than the ones we used to have back in the day. Being involved in your life also became my style. I wanted you to show me more dangerous things. I just want to do dangerous things with you. Vengeance has become my life purpose ever since the day of that incident so why not? I don't really care for what many other girls would die for."

As Ebun confessed, she was surprised with herself. But as she uttered the true desires of her heart, she realized how freeing it was because it was the truth. Even in those days while she feared that she would get caught or that her sister would find out about what she was doing in Russia, she still relished every moment of it - the angst, the uncertainty, the fear, the brainstorming. She didn't mind going through all of it with Sean by her side.

"I'm so sorry, Ebun. Please don't leave me. I promise to make it up to you," he grabbed her hands and clasped them gently in his, bringing it close to his chest in a desperate plea. His eyes were now more forlorn than she'd ever seen them look. It was similar or even worse than the look he had on the day they'd met at the airport as she was leaving for Nigeria.

Ebun stared at him, letting every of her emotions reflect in her eyes. The tears continued to rush down her eyes. How could she leave him when she loved him so much that it even hurt? Letting out a frustrated breath, she gave Sean a small forgiving nod. He got the message and with sincere gratitude, he moved closer and wrapped his arms firmly around her shoulders and claimed her lips in a kiss.

His tongue stroked, caressed and massaged hers in a constant motion. It was like a spear of desire that sent several shivers down her spine. His lips were so soft and so seductive on hers and they were also as solid as a cliff, defying the waves of a thunderstorm. And perhaps, that cliff was filled with several attractive looking male sirens on the top, singing to Ebun to come closer, to sink into the kiss and to never hesitate.

And so Ebun gave in, allowing herself to be kissed senseless and she gave back what was given to her. Grabbing him the scruff of his neck with one hand, she tightened her other hand around his waist and kissed him voraciously. Suddenly, in the middle of their passionate exchange, Ebun remembered that she couldn't let her pent up anger from several days end with a searing kiss despite how great it was. She still had more things to say.

"Show me that you really love me, Sean and do it in the way that I want you to," she broke away from the kiss and warned him.

"I promise I will," He planted a kiss on her forehead. "Please just give me time to learn how to love you. I have no idea what it's like to love anyone but I'm willing to try for you."

'That was the same thing you said when you confessed your feelings to me that day," she reminded him of the day he'd suddenly appeared at the restaurant to take her away from Viktoriya and Mrs. Mariyah. "I don't have that much patience any longer. I wish to go far with you."

'I won't let you down, I promise. Once we are finished with this new case, I'm going to show you what it's like in my world. I will make it up to you for real this time."

***

Gaius had subjected himself to a deep rumination process while he remained in the underground base of the tenement. For some reason, he had a strange feeling within him that he'd seen the face of the leader of the gang in full view at least once. But he was just having the hardest time remembering because it had been such a long time.

He could recollect when Geoffrey had reached out to him for help from Germany. Gaius had bugged him for details about the leader of the rapists. He'd even blackmailed him saying that he would only help him if he gave information about the identity of the leader.

Eventually, Geoffrey complied by sending him a web link.

When Gaius clicked on the link that day, he saw a picture of the supposed leader but it didn't correlate with the face that he had in mind so he didn't believe Geoffrey.

But now as he spent days jogging his memory thoroughly, pieces of the leader's face from the one occasion he'd gotten to see it properly began to appear in his mind. That was when he remembered a day when the mask had accidentally fallen from the leader's face because he'd been trying to tie it properly.

Gaius now remembered seeing the face clearly. To his surprise, the image in his mind then matched perfectly with the photo that Geoffrey had sent. When it dawned on him, he was shocked.

The terrible thing however, was that he'd lost the phone he was using as at that year when him and Geoffrey conversed. And since he'd disregarded the photo, he didn't bother to back it up. Gaius wasn't an artist either so he couldn't even sketch out the image in his mind. Still he had decided he was going to help in any way that he could.

When he asked Mr. Albert, Yemisi's assistant to call for Yemisi, his message got delivered with immediate effect and Yemisi showed up at the tenement, forgetting how dangerous it was for her to do so at the present time.

"I now remember how the leader of the gang looks."

"Really?" Yemisi's eyes widened in curiosity. " So what does he look like? Do you have a photo or a composite sketch?"

"Unfortunately, no. but I don't want to give descriptions either because it won't nail it accurately."

"So how are we going to identify him then?" Yemisi's eyes narrowed, slightly feeling annoyed.

"Just release me from this place once Ebun comes back from Russia - or you take me out of here and have me accompany you to any event if there's ever any. He could be there - among a crowded space - to hurt her."

"What's the possibility that there would ever be an event or that he'll even be there?"

'The possibility is low but it's not non-existent. Please just trust me ma'am. I won't run away or do something silly. I'm suggesting this so we can catch him once and for all. If I give descriptions, no matter how accurate, you might still get the wrong person."

Yemisi considered it carefully for a while. Gaius had a point. Being able to point to the leader once and for all was better than going round the circles, guessing, having trials and errors like they'd been doing over the years. So with a nod, she agreed to Gaius's terms.

"Okay," she said.