It might have been my imagination, but his voice shook just a little. He had been expecting a much faster decision, and my hesitation was throwing him. I could understand why he was confused. For years Violet had been the epicentre of my entire life.
I had put her before everything for over fifteen years.
“One lives and one dies.” He moved behind Violet. Snatching the gag from her face so hard she cried out. "Which one do you love enough to save?”
“Alexei,” Violet screamed my name with a sob. “Please.”
I closed my eyes and sucked in a breath. “Amy.”
Silence fell. You could have heard a pin drop.
“What?” Kristoff broke the silence.
Snapping my eyes open, I glued them to Kristoff and Violet. Her sobs stopped instantly. The tears stopped flowing. It was like a switch had been flipped. She stared at me with open hostility.
“Alexei, you can’t be fucking serious?”
I smiled. Not a happy smile, a cruel one. I knew Kristoff had seen that smile before, but Violet never had
“I choose my wife,” I said finely. “From this moment until my last. So if I can only walk out of here with one, then I choose to leave with her. You can do with her,” My eyes swept over Violet and this time, I didn’t try to hide my disgust.
Violet’s gorgeous face tightened into something hideous. How had I never seen the real her before?
“Whatever you want.” I wanted to look at Amy, but I couldn’t risk taking my eyes off the two people in front of me. “But you might want to look at a few things first.”
Violet’s widened. Kristoff’s narrowed. “Don’t even think you can trick me into—”
I cut him off with a booming laugh. “I don’t need to trick you Kristoff. She’s been playing us both for years. Do you think you are the only lover she has? The only powerful man she has in her bed.” More laughter bubbled up. “They have been informed. I’m sorryViolet dear, but there’s more than a few people who aren’t very happy with you.”
I’d made sure all of those phone calls had been made before I had come here. I had sent copies of the file to everyone who needed to see them, and a few people who didn’t. Violet might leave this basement alive, but she will have to spend the rest of her miserable life running, and even then, it might not be enough.
It should have filled me with dread. Violet had been a massive part of my life, but surprisingly, I felt nothing.
“I’m going to lower my gun now and throw something at your feet. Give it a look. I’ve placed the photographs at the front. You know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words.” Not waiting for his reply, I risked a glance at Amy, who was looking at me in complete confusion.
“Kristoff don’t,” Violet began struggling with her bonds. Her voice and face were frantic. “Please don’t, It’s not true. He’s lying.”
Kristoff went perfectly still. Flicking through photo after photo until they were falling from his hands like graffiti.
Each one of those photos was a snapshot of Violet with another man, some in his organization. Some of his enemies. All were time stamped. The last one he screwed up in his hands.
“Do you see now?” I asked softly. “She’s been using us all. Stealing money from our accounts, playing us off against others. Violet wants power, and she thought she could get it from us. Did she promise you that you would be together once she had control of my empire? She promised the same to at least three others.”
Kristoff didn’t say anything. His chest heaved.
I knew what he was thinking. Because I thought the same not that long ago.
“I see,” he said finally, turning bodily towards Violet.
“I am going to leave now,” I said firmly. “I am taking my wife out of this hell hole.”
“Fine, I won’t stop you.” Kristoff’s voice was completely flat; he wasn’t just humiliated. He was heartbroken. The fool had really been in love with her. Falling to my knees behind Amy, I loosened theropes, and she quickly pulled the gag out of her mouth. Sucking in ragged breaths.
“Are you hurt?” I whispered, moving quickly I swung her into my arms even though she shook her head. Pressing her face to my chest I moved towards the door without looking back. I could what Violet pleading wildly and ignored it.
Maybe she wouldn’t have to run after all.
“Close your eyes,” I ordered Amy. “Don’t try to look.”
