Tension simmered in the air as I walked toward him, stopping just inches away. Viking’s breaths became uneven as his shoulders trembled, and I let my gaze linger over him before I finally spoke.
“When a man raises his voice at my wife, this is what waits for him.”
I did not give him time to plead. My fist collided with his jaw so sharply the crack echoed off the walls. His body dropped instantly, but I caught the front of his shirt, pulled him back up, and drove my fist into his face again. His knees buckled, but I kept him upright long enough for everyone in the room to watch the consequences of disrespect unfold.
He tried to shield himself, tried to turn his face away, but I grabbed him by the back of his neck and pushed him against the wall. His skull hit the concrete with a dull thud. I could feel every ounce of fear trembling through him, the same fear he had tried to instill in Serenity when he thought she was alone and unprotected.
I didn’t stop. A punch to the ribs. Another to the gut. A kick that sent him sprawling across the tiles, gasping for air that wouldn’t come. Blood dripped from his mouth in a slow trail, marking the floor he had once walked with arrogance.
He collapsed on his side, a broken sound leaving his throat. I stepped toward him, watching his eyes widen with the realization that he had run out of chances.
By the time I drew my gun, the entire staff stood frozen, their fear held in their throats. Viking raised a trembling hand, the final instinct of a man who understood that mercy was not partof this room tonight.
His voice cracked. “Konflict… please—”
The gunshot cut through him before he finished the sentence. His body fell still, blood spreading beneath his cheek in a slow, dark bloom. The silence that followed held the weight of a vow none of them would ever dare to break.
I turned my focus to the room. My gaze swept over every face. I let the warning settle in, making sure they felt it in their bones.
“When Serenity Korven walks into this casino, you better kiss the ground she stands on. You will remember exactly what she is—the woman who carries my name. She is the one you show respect to before anyone else. And if any of you forget after today…”
I let my eyes fall back on Viking’s lifeless body.
“This is what waits for you.”
I holstered my gun and turned my back to the silent room.
The night was cold but not enough to cool the heat in my blood.
I released Krash and drove alone to the cemetery.
My mother’s grave sat under a tall tree, smooth marble reflecting the moonlight. I stood there looking at the name I had sworn to honor with every breath I took in this world.
Kate Korven.
“Ma,” I said quietly, sitting on the cold stone edge. “I do not know what the hell is happening to me.”
The wind moved through the branches but nothing in me settled.
“I was supposed to end her that night, Ma. I had the gun and the chance to finish what her father started. But she looked at me… and all I saw was that little girl I pulled out of the water 19 years ago, those same terrified eyes locked on mine. And my hand just… refused. I should’ve done it, I know that. But I couldn’t.”
I dragged a hand down my face.
“I know I cannot betray your memory. Vince took you from me. You were my angel. So I have to take his too. I have a month left and I will do what needs to be done.”
I stayed there a long time. Long enough for anger, grief, and desire to knot into something toxic in my chest.
When I finally stood, I pressed my palm against the cold stone.
“I will give you justice,” I whispered. “Even if it kills me too.”
I left the cemetery and drove home. By morning, my skull felt heavy after sleep had been nowhere to be found. Krash knocked once and walked in.
“A letter arrived,” he said. “From the Korven estate.”
I frowned. Serenity never wrote. Never called. Never reached out even once in eleven months.
“Why would she—”
