"Don't you dare try to gaslight me. I deserve better than that." I step closer, ignoring the warning look from Maksim. "Even in our world, there must be lines we don't cross. Children should be protected.”
A muscle twitches in Maksim's jaw. "You forget yourself, Katerina. You stand in my house, surrounded by my men, yet you speak to me with such disrespect." He circles me slowly, like a predator assessing its prey. "You betrayed your blood family for a Dante. You helped that murderer escape justice. These are not small transgressions."
His hand closes around my throat, not squeezing but present. "The traditional punishment for traitors is not pleasant. Should I demonstrate what happens to those who betray the Bratva? Perhaps on you? Or would you prefer I save that lesson for your son?"
Ice floods my veins at the mention of Enzo. I meet his gaze steadily, even as his fingers tighten slightly.
"Do what you must to me, but surely, you know that if you harm my son, there won't be a corner of this earth where you can hide from Luca Dante's vengeance. And if he falls, his family will continue what he started."
He laughs. “We all know the Dantes wouldn’t piss on Luca if he were on fire. He’s the exiled son. The disgrace.”
“Then why haven’t they handed him over? Using your logic, they’d be happy to pay the debt you feel they owe, and yet they haven’t. And you know why? Because they know you betrayedthe alliance. They know you used one of their flesh and blood children. They’re the Mafia, Maksim. Surely, you understand the code they live by.”
Maksim's fingers release my throat only to grip my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. The coldness there makes my blood freeze.
“And they should know my code.”
“Take me instead.”
"Your offer is denied. Do you truly believe I would accept your life in place of his? That your sacrifice would satisfy the debt?" His fingers tighten, and I realize my effort has failed. He’ll kill me and likely send my dead body back to the Dantes.
He pushes me back, his face morphing into consideration. “However, you may not be completely useless. I’ll keep you here as bait.”
My stomach drops. "Luca won't come for me."
"Oh, but he will." Maksim's smile grows predatory. "The moment he discovers you're missing, he'll tear this city apart looking for you. And when he comes for you, he'll walk straight into our trap."
He makes a sharp whistle and two men appear. “Take her downstairs.”
Two men seize my arms from behind.
I struggle, but their hold only tightens.
"Make her comfortable. She needs to stay presentable for when her lover arrives."
As they begin dragging me toward a heavy wooden door, panic surges through me. "You're making a mistake! The Dantes will?—"
"The Dantes will do nothing!" Maksim roars, his composure cracking. "Not for a Russian whore who betrayed her own blood!"
“Underestimate them at?—”
His laugh interrupts me. “Oh, I’m going to enjoy this. When this is over, after I've put a bullet through Luca Dante's skull while you watch, I'll make sure your precious Enzo understands what happens to children with mixed blood."
Terror shoots through me. "You wouldn’t?—"
“I would," he cuts me off. "Your son will serve as an example. Perhaps we'll send him to the training camps in Siberia. Or maybe we'll just leave enough of him on Alessandro Dante's doorstep to send a message." He flicks his wrist in a dismissing gesture.
His men drag me down a narrow staircase.
The basement air is dank and cold, smelling of mildew and something that is probably death.
They shove me into a small room with concrete walls and a single chair bolted to the floor.
A camera blinks red in the corner.
They shove me in and slam the door shut, leaving me alone with the reality that I haven't saved anyone.
I've only ensured our destruction.
