“How can we help you?”
“I can only trust a handful of my own men. There’s too big a risk someone will tell Viktor. I need the Syndicate to help me. When it’s done, I’ll guarantee a peace alliance with no strings attached.” He’s desperate, but he’s also a good man. I know his word is a promise.
“I’ll talk to him. But under one condition.” This is my opportunity. “I’m the one to kill Viktor.”
His head whips back. He stares at me in bewilderment. “You? Why?”
“Petya, he beat me for years, and ???? before that. He has no regard for women. Even before knowing what he atrocities he’s been committing, I swore I’d be the one to end him. Don’t take this from me.”
My brother’s face drops. His eyes fill with regret. His back hunches as he sucks in a breath.
“Katusha, I didn’t know. I… I’m sorry I abandoned you. I am so sorry.” He grips my hand and squeezes it, trying to comfort me.
“It’s fine.” I don’t want to make a big deal of it. I didn’t tell him to make him feel bad. I just need him to know why I hate Viktor. Why I deserve to be the one to end him.
“Will you be able to follow through with it? Can you physically kill your father?” He’s not trying to accuse me. He’s making sure the mission can be fulfilled.
“He’s no father to me. I’ve been training for this day.” I promise him. Then I smirk. “And I’m not a stranger to violence. I stabbed my husband once because he called me fat.”
Petya barks out a laugh. “That’s my Katya. I always knew you were a fighter.” He ruffles my hair, and I punch his arm. I’m satisfied when he flinches in pain.
Petya’s phone rings. He checks it, squeezes my hand, then leaves, answering the call. I know this isn’t the end of this, but it is for now.
As Nik drives us home, I brainstorm how to tell my husband. I know he’ll help my brother. I just know it. My husband will be here for us.
Chapter 46
Dominic
Vova glares at me as I pace back and forth. Even looking at the damn cat makes me furious. How could I have been so blind? How could I have been so foolish? I fell for the oldest trick in the book! The enemy sent me a siren, and I welcomed her with open arms.
I couldn’t sleep. Not with all the space between Katerina and me. Not with all the questions swirling in my mind.
My plan was to confront her about everything this morning. In my heart, I was certain there was a rational answer. One that didn’t involve lies. Because my tiger would never. She may stab me, but she’d never betray me.
I was waiting for her to wake up when her phone rang. As soon as she switched to Russian, whispering in a language I don’t understand, I knew in my gut. I knew he was right. She isn’t loyal to me. She never has been.
I didn’t believe for a minute she was going to the park. I know she was going to meet with someone. When my menfollowing her confirmed she was at the park, the relief I felt was immense. I rejoiced in happiness.
Until I got a second call moments later, informing me of her brother’s presence. Pyotr Sokolov. The Second-in-Command of the Bratva. It was a knife to the heart. Worse than any wound I’ve ever endured. Agony like no other.
I would’ve rather anyone else betray me over her. Because I’m not only losing a soldier, but also my wife. My one true source of happiness. Ripped from me. To learn it was all a lie was more than I could endure.
My watch informs me that Nikolai and Katerina are pulling through the gate. With my stoic mask in place, I storm to the front door.
When they walk through, my wife smiles at me. It only worsens the pain. She puts her arms around me in a hug, and I bask in her deceptive passion for one more moment. Then I place my arms around her, restraining her against me.
“Dominic, we need to talk.” Her sweet voice is daggers in me. Each word puncturing me. Paining me. “It’s important.”
“More of your lies, I’d presume?” My harsh words cause her to pull back, but my grip is unrelenting. She’s not getting out of my hold.
“What the fuck, Dominic?” She hisses and stomps on my foot. I don’t even feel it, not over the pain in my chest.
“Detain them in the basement,” I order the waiting soldiers.
It takes three to get Nik and just as many for my… Katerina. Just as many for Katerina. I refuse to be impressed by her fight. It can no longer amuse me. She’s not mine to be proud of.
“DOMINIC! ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Katerina’s yells go unanswered, but that doesn’t stop her from shouting and fighting all through the house.
