Page 119 of Bratva Menace

“I don’t care how long it’s fucking been,” Lev growled out. “I’m going to make him feel every ounce of pain he’s caused me.”

He’d finally said me, not us. My cheek felt hot, and I knew if I looked in the mirror, I’d see his handprint clear on my skin.

“Then you’ll have to do it on your own. I want no part in it.” I kept my head high, even knowing he could possibly strike me again. He needed to see I wouldn’t be intimidated into changing my mind.

Lev must have realized that because he completely switched tactics, going from outraged to sad. “You’ve been with me every step of the way. You can’t just abandon me like this. I need you, Laylay.”

Now he was laying on the guilt. Does he really think I am that fucking stupid? He only called me that when he was trying to manipulate me into doing something I didn’t want to do.

Kane pulled over, having finally reached our destination, stopping in front of a bunch of apartment complexes. The engine turned off. Silence filled the car.

“Give us a minute, please,” I asked Kane and the other man.

Neither moved.

I should have known they wouldn’t listen to me. I didn’t pay their checks, after all.

I looked at Lev. He held my gaze for a moment before moving it to Kane and flicking his head to the side.

Kane and the other man got out of the car.

“I love you, Lev,” I began immediately, not giving him a chance to talk. “But I’m not going to help you with this. Even if Lukyan wasn’t in the equation, I still wouldn’t help. I’ve had your back this entire time. I’ve done everything you’ve asked, stalking and documenting Dimitri’s every move, all hours of the fucking day and night. Being your little lapdog, doing this and that for you like I’m your personal assistant. But I’m done.”

“You can’t just be done.”

“Yes, I can.”

“You don’t care that he killed our parents?”

“No, I don’t.” I’d felt that way for a long time, but never had the courage to say it out loud to him. Until then. “I don’t care, Lev. I don’t care the slightest bit. They were never parents to me. Dad would beat me nearly every single day, and Mom would let him. Neither of them gave a shit about me. Why should I give a shit about them?”

“It’s the principle,” he hissed. “You don’t just let someone get away with killing someone you love.”

“I don’t love them. Never have.” I reached for his hands and held them tightly. “I love you. I would die for you, Lev. But I can’t help you with this. Not anymore. You need to let this go.”

He scoffed derisively. “Or what? Are you going to stop me?”

I said nothing, just staring at him.

“I can’t believe you,” he said, shaking his head. “You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to do you a favor and forget we had this conversation. You’re going to take some time and think about what you’ve said⁠—”

“I’m not a fucking child, Lev, so don’t talk to me like one,” I warned.

“Well, if you stopped saying stupid and childish things, I wouldn’t fucking have to.”

I punched him in the nose.

“Christ!” Lev yelled, his head flinging back. “What the fuck, Lyla?!”

“You deserved that and you know it.”

He grumbled, holding his busted nose.

I blew out a breath, exhaustion fogging my mind. Though the conversation had pretty much gone exactly as I had expected, it still wasn’t the slightest bit enjoyable.

“I’m sorry it has to be this way, Lev. I am. I hate disappointing you.”

I hoped he would say that I could never disappoint him. That he understood and accepted my decision. Could almost respect it.