Chapter 240: A Russian Getaway
━ Volkner Mansion ━
The Volkner Mansion was the only castle in Wickery County and stood on the outskirts of Metro City.
It was tucked deep inside a thick forest that gave the Volkner family complete seclusion.
Inside its posh walls, Isaac sat in his private library.
It was a comfortably massive room with shelves that seemed to stretch on forever.
He leaned back in his chair with his legs propped up on the desk, arms crossed, and eyes narrowed at the man standing across from him—Trickshot.
"Are you really still going to act dumb?"
Isaac’s voice wasn’t the usual civilian-friendly one.
He sounded vastly different from the most eligible bachelor everyone knew.
Trickshot didn’t answer.
Instead, he casually unscrewed one of Isaac’s most expensive whisky bottles and started filling his battered liquor pouch like he’d stumbled into a free bar. He took a long swig, refilled the pouch, then drank again like this was some kind of ritual.
Isaac looked totally disgusted.
"I’m talking to you..."
His tone had already lost its patience.
Trickshot let out a gravelly sigh.
His shoulders sagged.
"You’ve got to chill, mate. When the time’s right, I’ll let you know who killed your bloody parents."
He tipped the whisky back like it was water.
BOOM!
A ball of plasma whizzed past Trickshot’s ear and obliterated a chair into smoking splinters.
Trickshot froze, then slowly turned his head.
Isaac’s sleek gauntlet was aimed at him.
The emitter port was still smoky.
Isaac’s eyes narrowed further.
"Back at the Blue Garden Hotel, I let you go because you claimed you had connections to the underworld—connections that could lead me to my parents’ killer. You got caught by Rope Girl anyway. I still wasted an S-rank clearance to break you out of Ashgate Penitentiary. Then you begged for a high-tech centrifuge capable of handling Mutagenium, and I let you raid my lab in Central District."
His gauntlet hummed and the emitter port glowed blue as it charged.
"How much longer are you going to milk me, Trickshot? Or is it you? Did you kill them?"
Trickshot barked out a laugh, the kind that didn’t match the tension at all.
"Definitely not. I’m the type who kills people and makes jokes about it. I don’t hide my shit. Besides..."
He smirked darkly.
"If I killed your parents, they wouldn’t have been hacked and slashed like your average cow—"
BOOOM!
Another plasma blast roared past his head and blasted a crater in the stone wall.
Trickshot’s smile faded. He swallowed hard.
"Watch your mouth..." Isaac warned.
Trickshot forced a shaky chuckle, nodding quickly.
"Noted, friend. Noted..."
He nervously downed another swig of whisky, this time without savoring it.
Isaac stood as his gauntlet collapsed into a swarm of nanites that zipped back into the sleek wrist device hugging his arm.
He walked toward the towering window panes.
"I won’t be in Metro City for a while. There’s someone I want to meet in Moscow."
Trickshot perked up and grinned slyly.
"Ahaha, Russian women, mate—they’re fi—"
"Get out."
The dismissal was like a slammed door.
Trickshot’s grin twitched, then faded.
He stuffed the pouch into his coat and shuffled out without another word.
━ ━ ━ ━
Meanwhile—
At Emma’s luxury home in Meteor Hills, the mood couldn’t have been more different.
Scott and Emma stood in the living room, both in plain tees and lounge pants as they stared at their luggage. Scott had one modest duffel bag. Emma? Four full suitcases lined up like she was moving continents.
Scott gave her a sidelong look.
"Oh come on, Emma. We both know you don’t need all this for a one-week trip."
Before Emma could snap back, Marcus who was slouched on the sofa and glued to the massive TV burst out laughing mid-game.
"HA! I told her it was too much!"
He shoved a handful of chips into his mouth and grinned like an idiot.
Emma’s eye twitched.
"SON OF A—!!"
She grabbed a decorative figurine and hurled it with perfect aim.
CLANG!
"Owww!"
Marcus yelped as he dropped his controller.
Emma smiled sweetly, all innocence, the picture of an angel—if angels had perfect fastball throws.
But when she turned back, Scott wasn’t even paying attention. His eyes were glued to his phone as his finger tapped redial again and again.
"Still worried about her?"
Emma asked softly as she tilted her head.
Scott’s thumb froze. He looked at her, nodded.
"Yeah. I am. I already sent Sarah to check on her at Met U. I even called Aunt Tess—she said Gwen’s fine, just busy catching up since she started late. But still..."
His jaw tightened.
"I want to be sure before we leave for Russia."
He hit redial again.
Emma walked up with a gentle look on her face.
"Ohh~ my baby boy’s worried..."
She wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek on his shoulder while her hand slowly rubbed his back.
"You don’t have to worry. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll super-speed over there myself."
Emma grinned like a goofy cartoon character as she persistently poked his cheek.
"Zoom, zoom—Emma to the rescue!"
Scott chuckled despite himself.
"You don’t need to. Sarah’s on it already."
He gave her a small, warm look.
"Great!"
Emma suddenly shouted, clapping her hands like a child on Christmas morning.
Scott raised a brow, amused, but Emma was already storming toward the window to scan the fields.
"Where’s the driver? For goodness’ sake, he’s late!"
Scott placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, relax. Whole point of this trip is so we can unwind and have some us time, remember?"
Emma took a deep breath and exhaled through her nostrils like an aggressive bull.
"Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Dr. Goode didn’t give us tickets to a super-exclusive Moscow inn for me to start breaking down before we even leave the country."
She plastered on a wide, terrifyingly forced grin.
Scott gave her a limp thumbs up.
"Yeah, that’s... better."
That was when Rhinoman strolled into the living room as he hungrily munched down on an entire roasted turkey like it was a sandwich.
"Oh hey, boss..."
Rhinoman could barely understand what he said.
There was so much meat in his mouth he had to swallow between each sentence.
"You’re still here?"
Scott sighed.
"Driver’s late."
He waved vaguely.
"Anyway, make sure you and Mr. Sphere keep an eye on the city and Adira while I’m gone. I already shut down the last of her metasapien trafficking cells. Division F shouldn’t be a problem for a while."
He grinned proudly, clearly expecting praise.
Rhinoman just chewed noisily.
HONK! HONK!!
The car horn blared outside.
"There he is!"
Emma yelled as she sprang into motion and hauled two suitcases like they weighed nothing.
"Come on, let’s go!"
Scott picked up the rest to head toward the door, but paused when Rhinoman called out—
"Uh, boss? What about Brigid?"
Scott winced.
"... Yeah, about that. She already cried about me planning to go without her, so I had Sphere drag her out for an early patrol. Keeps her busy. She’ll sulk, but I’ll explain later—when we’re already in Moscow."
He started backing out the door before Rhinoman could reply.
"Got it, boss!"
Rhinoman mumbled with a greasy wave.
Marcus barely noticed them leave since his entire focus was on his videogame.
━ ━ ━ ━
The black sedan cruised down the clean and glowing roads of Meteor Hills.
Scott sat inside looking pretty relaxed as his small duffel bag rested neatly by his feet.
On the other hand, Emma was pressed up against the window, as she struggled for space with two bulky suitcases piled on her lap like giant pillows.
Scott gave her a half-lidded stare.
"Yunno... most people put their luggage in the trunk."
Emma stuck her tongue out.
"Most people aren’t strong enough to carry two grown men disguised as luggage."
Scott just shook his head with twitching lips.
・・・
At the airport’s departure hall, things were NOT calm.
Their pile of luggage caught the attention of staff, who stared like a rock band had just shown up. Scott walked along casually with only his duffel, while Emma wrestled three suitcases at once, wheeling them with one hand like she was putting on a circus act.
At the scanner checkpoint, one of the female staffers eyed them curiously.
"So... are you two dating?"
Emma blinked, then leaned closer and whispered.
"Why? Is it weird?"
The woman hesitated, then gave Scott a once-over.
"Kinda... he looks a little younger than you."
Scott froze mid-step as his eyes widened.
『I’m bigger than her. It can’t be that obvious...』
He took another look at Emma and himself.
Emma’s face slowly morphed into a deathly sweet smile.
"Ohhh? That so? (-"-怒)"
The staffer laughed nervously.
"I... I mean, in a cute way! (´• ω •`;)ノ"
Emma quickly wrapped her arm around Scott’s neck and pulled him down to her soft chest.
"Well, lucky me then. I get to raise him and date him at the same time."
Scott groaned as her breasts pressed against his face.
"Don’t sound weird... please... (;一_一)"
The woman chuckled awkwardly.
"Ehehe, it’s fine. I won’t tell."
She waved them through.
Emma excitedly tightened her arms around his neck to press his handsome face deeper into the softness her breasts as she dragged him along in search of a place to sit.
"So, do you wanna suck mommy’s titties~? ❤️"
Her eyes were heavy-lidded, but sexy.
Scott sighed and brushed her hand off with a light slap so he could finally stand upright again.
Emma’s cheeks puffed out, and she rubbed the back of her hand like a sulking child.
"Oww... that really hurt... (╥﹏╥)"
"Maybe don’t strangle me next time..."
Scott muttered while massaging his throat.
Emma shot him a mean side-eye, but her pout cracked almost instantly. She burst into a giggle and bounced right back to his side as she clung onto his arm with all her weight.
"Tee-hee! Fair enough!"
The two walked down the hall together—Emma leaned against him with a gentle, satisfied smile, while Scott looked like a guy badly in need of a vacation.
━ ━ ━ ━
Soon, they were aboard their first-class suite.
Emma sprawled dramatically across her wide reclining seat.
"Finally! Royal treatment, as I deserve."
Scott sat opposite and calmly opened the menu.
"You literally live in a luxury mansion... (¬_¬)"
"Shhh. This is different. This is international royalty vibes."
She snapped her fingers at the attendant.
"One of everything on the menu, please!"
Scott nearly choked. "Emma—"
Two hours later, their table was filled with tiny gourmet plates: steak bites, sushi rolls, fancy soups, and even miniature éclairs. Emma shoveled through them with terrifying speed while Scott sampled quietly as he shook his head.
He took another small bite of steak.
『I guess superspeed does that to you...』
He watched the way she ate and smiled softly.
『She’s earned this.』
Then, with a warm look in his eyes, he slowly slid his plate over to her side.
・・・
Later, they put on a cheesy beach movie.
Scott leaned back, unimpressed.
"This plot is so flat. Who even likes this?"
Emma chirped as she munched popcorn.
"I do. It’s relaxing. Look at the sunset, so pretty—"
Then Bella Trevors showed up on the screen.
"Eh...?"
Walking smoothly along the beach, she wore a bikini with a hoodie that was only half-zipped, and her curvy body was covered in so much oil she was shining.
Her soft cheeks and meaty cleavage were on display.
Scott froze. His eyes widened just a fraction.
Emma noticed instantly. "Scott...?"
He coughed. "What?"
"Scott."
"It’s just a movie."
"CHANGE IT. NOW."
She snatched the remote and began frantically mashing buttons while glaring at the screen like Bella had personally insulted her.
Scott sighed. "You’re ridiculous."
"I’M RIDICULOUS? She’s the ridiculous one! Wearing a hoodie with a bikini—pick a climate, lady!"
・・・
When the cabin lights dimmed, Emma curled into Scott’s side as she snuggled under the thick blanket. She tucked her head against his chest and yawned softly.
Scott glanced down and smiled warmly.
He pulled her close and let his eyes close too.
・・・
━ Moscow, Russia ━
Sheremetyevo International Airport.
The plane finally landed in Moscow, with snow drifting gently against the windows. As they walked down the private ramp, the cold air hit them and their breath came out in soft white clouds.
Emma lugged her suitcase with a big grin.
"Moscow, baby! Let’s fucking gooo! (ノ≧∇≦)ノ"
Scott adjusted his hair and gave her a sideways look.
"I didn’t sleep well..."
"Awww, why?
"You kept grabbing my peen damnit!"
Emma winked and pulled him closer.
"Our peen, honey. ❤️"
"..."
Scott shook his head tiredly.
━ ━ ━ ━
Meanwhile—
Deep inside the snowy wooded forests of the Lebedev Estate in Moscow, there was a private luxury hotel tucked away like a hidden treasure.
Barely anyone could ever get through its gates.
It was reserved only for celebrities, top politicians and the occasional millionaires.
The place wasn’t big at all. Just fifteen suites, each one more expensive than most people’s houses.
And unless you booked months ahead, there was no way you were getting a room.
It was the Winterside Club.
The reception hall smelled of fresh pine and fancy polish.
A golden chandelier glowed above, and the heater buzzed softly, making the inside of the mansion feel so warm and bright that you could almost forget there was a heavy snowstorm raging outside.
Jenna sat slouched on a lounge chair and chewed her gum loudly while her thumbs moved quickly across her phone screen. She let out a long yawn and leaned back to cross her legs in an easy, almost careless kind of elegance.
『Wow... who would’ve thought he’d actually show up to see me in Russia? I was already excited about going back to the U.S. to see Emma and Nadia, but maybe spending some time with him here won’t be so bad after all.』
Her eyes lifted, and there he was—Isaac Volkner.
He stood impatiently at the reception desk.
He was arguing softly with the receptionist, Beth.
She was a sharp-eyed woman with sleek black hair tied neatly behind her head.
"Come oooon..."
Isaac sounded like a nagging child.
"Just this one favor. I’m Isaac Volkner, you know I’ll make it worth your time."
Beth scratched her chin, unimpressed.
"Mm... no, not really. I’m sorry, Mr. Volkner. You’ll have to manage with the current suite until we fix the heater and get the wiring sorted out."
She wrote it down with a dull face.
"I’ll call the repair guy tomorrow."
Isaac’s jaw flexed.
Beth slid the heavy leather-bound reservation book forward and tapped her finger against it.
"As you can see, all the other suites are already taken. So no, I can’t give you the last one. It’s reserved for a couple who are first-time guests, and I want to make sure they’re comfy."
Isaac sighed as his shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Hrrm... fair enough."
He glanced back.
Jenna, only half-paying attention, was still glued to her phone as she chewed gum with a bored face.
Until she noticed his eyes.
"Huh?"
Jenna waved lazily as her lips quirked into a smile.
Isaac turned back to the desk with building frustration.
"I’ll pay you an extra fifty grand. Give me their suite, I’ll also handle the repairs for the other one."
Beth’s brows rose.
She folded her arms and gave him that look.
"You really want to sleep with her, huh?"
Isaac froze, hands immediately going up in protest.
"What? No, no, no!"
His voice came out sharper than intended.
He flailed once, sighed heavily, and muttered—
"That’s the friend of—ugh, never mind."
He looked fed up, utterly done with explaining.
Beth studied him, then let out her own long sigh.
She slid the keycard across the desk.
"Here. But you owe me a date."
Her smile turned sneaky.
Isaac’s frustration vanished in an instant.
He snatched the card and grinned.
"Mwah! I love you, Beth."
He blew her a joyful kiss and winked before stepping back quickly with a smug face.
"Tch. Whatever."
Beth rolled her eyes, but her smile was still there.
Isaac turned and walked straight to Jenna.
He held out a hand, eyes softening into something that almost looked warm.
"Come on. Let’s head in~"
Amused, Jenna looked up at him before slipping her phone into her pocket. Her gum snapped once as she slid her hand into his to rise gracefully from the chair. The second she was on her feet, however, she plucked the keycard from his hand with a teasing smirk.
"I think I’ll handle... room stuff."
Her eyes sweetly lingered on him before she pivoted elegantly and walked ahead without waiting.
Isaac chuckled under his breath and shook his head as he followed her.
"Bossy already, huh? Fine... lead the way, princess."
Jenna didn’t turn, but her smile widened.