Chapter 36

Chapter

Thirty-Six

"Revenge may be wicked, but it's natural."

― William Makepeace Thackeray

Alexsei

"To what do I owe this pleasure, Romaniev?"

I slid onto the bench beside Sadiek. I stared out at Senezh Lake, where ducks and swans cruised around like they had nowhere better to be.

Spring had come in full force, and I couldn't be fucking happier. No more damn snow for a year, at least. Flowers were blooming, the sun was out, and the world was alive with bees and birds.

I lit up a cigarette and offered him one. I'd been plotting for months on how to get rid of Sadiek. Two names left on my list: Kristan Mankiev and Slavoy Sadiek. Mankiev was last on my list—I had a special plan for him, one that involved hours of torture, blood, and screams. But Sadiek? The possibilities were endless, and I hadn't quite settled on the best way to make him suffer.

"I don't know, Sadiek. You're the one who's been blowing up my phone for weeks," I exhaled smoke, my eyes drifting to a family of ducks paddling around.

"And you could've fucking answered. I thought we were tight, Alexsei, especially after that mess with Leila," he spat, his tone thick with fake friendship. "You knew I loved her to death, but you still chose to screw her. I even let that slide. That's what friends do, right?"

"Friends?" I sneered, shooting him a dark look. "I don't owe you a fucking thing."

Sadiek's smirk widened, malice glinting in his eyes. "It's cute how protective you are of your wife, you know?"

My jaw tightened, fists clenching at my sides. "Don't you fucking dare talk about her."

He laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Touchy subject, huh? Maybe she's not the saint you think she is."

"Watch your fucking mouth, Sadiek. Or I'll make sure you never speak again."

"Did she tell you about us?" He said, taking a drag from his cigarette before flicking it away. "I wouldn't have touched her if I'd known she'd end up your wife. Funny, really. When Mankiev introduced me to his daughter, he said she was like an oasis in the desert—beautiful and unpredictable. He wasn't wrong. She had the sweetest fucking pu?—"

I snapped, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the bench. "You fucking piece of shit?—"

He laughed, unfazed. "Gonna make me disappear like you did with the others? I know all about Babikiv and Polanski. Didn't expect me to be last on your list. "

I gripped him harder, the urge to smash his face in nearly consuming me. But I forced myself to back off, knowing the pleasure of revenge would be sweeter if I took my time.

"You should've never crossed me, Sadiek," I said, stepping back as he gasped for air, still smirking. "You'd better get on your fucking knees and beg for mercy, because what's coming will make you wish for death to free you."