“My sons lost sight of that,” Vladimir continues. “Georg. Anton. Even the bastard, Sasha. My nephew Viktor. They got themselves slaughtered or forced into hiding by the other Dons while chasing petty victories.”
“But you’re different?” I mock him.
“Yes. Because I remember the mission.”
The rope snaps.
Freedom floods through my wrists?—
Before I can move, Vladimir suddenly steps forward.
His hand shoots out and grabs my hair.
Pain explodes across my scalp as he yanks me to my feet.
The key falls from my hand and clatters to the concrete.
My heart stops.
“I admire persistence,” he says calmly.
My stomach drops. “You knew what I was doing?”
“Of course.” He glances down at the key on the floor. “You almost had it.”
My pulse roars in my ears.
“You should have waited.”
His other hand pulls a knife from inside his jacket.
The blade glints under the warehouse lights.
“I was going to keep you alive,” he says thoughtfully. “Let Neri watch his queen suffer.”
My breath catches.
“But now…” he sighs faintly. “This is simpler.”
The blade presses lightly against my throat.
Behind us, Noah screams.
“Mom!”
Tears blur my vision.
“Don’t worry,” Vladimir says quietly. “Your son will follow shortly. I won’t make you watch. Consider it my gift to you, Ms. Hartwell.”
My entire body goes cold.
He wants to kill Noah.
He’s going to murder my son.
Then rage explodes through me.
Not as long as I fucking breathe.
