Then I find it. Cold steel.
I slam the switch.
The lights blaze back to life in stuttering bursts.
Viktor is slumped against a crate, one hand pressed to his shoulder, blood running like a red river. His face twists in fury when he sees me, but there’s fear behind it. Real, soul-deep fear.
I step forward.
He tries to crawl away.
I’m on him before he gets a foot. "Going somewhere, Baranov? I don't fucking think so."
"W-wait," he splutters. "We can split the profits. Hell, I'll give you half!"
He disgusts me. He actually thought I’d want acut. Thought I’d be the kind of man who’d sit down at his filthy table and bargain over the cost of a woman’s life. Ofmy woman’slife.
I’ve done dark things. Paid debts in blood. But there are lines even I won’t cross.
This bastard crossed every one of them.
Selling women like cattle. Laughing while they beg. Touching Erin like she was something he could own.
The rage comes back, roaring hot.
I want him to feel fear. To feel helpless. To know that pain is coming and there’s nothing he can do to stop it.
Because that’s what he gave her.
I grab him by the collar,riphim upright, and drive my fist into his face.
Once.
Twice.
A third time, with everything I have.
My knuckles split open, blood mixing with his. He wheezes, sags, and I slam him against the wall.
“You wanted to break her?” I snarl, spit flying. “Youtouchedher?”
He whimpers. Tries to turn his head. I don’t let him.
“You thought she was weak? You thoughtno onewould come for her?”
I slam him again, harder. The wall behind him cracks.
“You like making women scream?” I growl, teeth bared. “Let’s hearyouscream,pezzo di merda!"
I shove the barrel of my gun beneath his chin. His whole body tenses.
“Any last words,bastardi?”
“Luca!”
Erin’s voice, small but desperate.
I freeze.
