Chapter 29

Victor

I STAREinto Dave’s face, his features etched with a fear I’ve seen before.

It’s the same gutless, sniveling expression he wore when we caught him with his hand in the cookie jar, pissing away Bratva money like it was his own. The same look he had when he offered up his wife as collateral, like she was just another chip to bargain with.

Fucking pathetic.

“P-please,” he stammers, his voice thin and reedy. “I didn’t… I wasn’t trying to…”

“Shut the fuck up,” I growl, slamming my fist into his jaw. His head snaps back, a spray of blood and spittle hitting the concrete floor.

We’re in the meat locker beneath one of my legitimate businesses. Or at least, legitimate on paper. It’s cold as a bitch in here, our breath clouding in front of us. The insulated walls deaden sound, perfect for the kind of work that needs doing.

Dave moans, his head lolling.

Igor’s got him trussed up like a hog, zip ties biting into his wrists and ankles. He’s slumped on his knees, shaking like a leaf, pants soaked with his own piss.

Weak. He’s always been weak.

A fucking leech, latching onto anyone he thinks can protect him. First the Bratva, then Laura. Using her up until there was nothing left to take.

The thought makes my blood boil. I see red, my throat tightening with rage. I think of her soft skin, her sweet scent. The way she trembled beneath me, all wide eyes and hesitant touches. So goddamn innocent.

And this suka put his filthy hands on her. Tried to break her, the way he breaks everything.

“You!” I snarl, fisting my hand in his hair, wrenching his head back. “How dare you come to my wedding to terrify my wife, mudak?”

He cringes, his eyes rolling wildly. “I didn’t… I wasn’t… I was just trying to get what’s owed me, that’s all. The bitch, she hid it, left me with noth—”

I don’t let him finish.

My fist connects with his cheek, the crunch of bone satisfying beneath my knuckles.

“Owed you? And you’ve got the nerve to call my wife a bitch?” I hiss, a harsh, grating sound. “You’re a fucking worm, Dave. A parasite. You don’t deserve shit.” Without waiting for a response, I drive my fist into Dave’s gut, the impact sharp. He doubles over, gasping and choking for air, his face contorted in pain.

Behind me, Misha chuckles darkly. “Man’s got a point, suka. You been sticking your dick in all the wrong holes. You’re way over your head in a game you can’t even begin to comprehend.”

“I-I’m sorry,” Dave sobs. Thick ropes of snot and blood run down his face, mingling with the tears. “Please, I’m sorry, I fucked up. I know I fucked up. Just… just gimme a chance, man. I can make it right; I swear it on my mother. I’ll do anything you want.”

“Anything?” I raise a brow, my tone deceptively mild. “Like maybe part with a few fingers?”

I nod to Igor, who steps forward with a pair of bolt cutters. Dave’s eyes go wide, his face draining of color.

“No, wait, please—”

I crouch down, getting right in his face. His breath is rank, stale beer, and day-old vomit. It makes my stomach turn.

“You come into my house,” I say softly, “you steal from me. You put your hands on what’s mine. And you think you can, what? Apologize? Make it right?”

He shakes his head frantically, snot bubbles popping. “No, no, I didn’t… I wouldn’t… boss, please, you gotta believe me.”

“I don’t gotta do shit,” I spit. “Except maybe cut out your tongue for all the fucking lies it’s telling.”

His eyes bulge, his mouth gaping like a landed fish. A hysterical giggle escapes him, high-pitched and unhinged.

“Please,” he whispers, “please, don’t… I’ll do anything, I swear it. Anything you want.”

“You keep saying that,” Misha drawls, picking at his nails with a switchblade. “Anything. Like you got anything worth offering.”

He’s right. Dave’s got nothing. No skills, no backbone, no fucking sense. He’s a weasel, a bottom-feeder. The kind of guy who’d sell his own mother for a quick buck and a pat on the head.

But he did have Laura. For a little while, at least.

The thought makes my chest tighten, a strange pressure building behind my ribs.

Is she awake yet? Has she eaten?Did she find the clothes I left for her? The fancy dress, all silk and lace and soft as sin? I can picture it, the way the delicate fabric would hug her curves, tease at her skin.

I want to rip it off her.

Want to shred it to pieces and bury myself in her heat, feel her clench around my cock as I make her scream. Want to fuck her until she can’t walk, can’t think, can’t do anything but beg for more.

And I will. But first, I gotta deal with this piece of shit.

I lean in close, my hand wrapped around Dave’s throat, squeezing just hard enough to make him squirm.

“Now, are you going to keep your fucking mouth shut, or are you going to give me the juicy details on Vasiliev?”

Dave’s eyes bulge, his face turning an ugly shade of purple. “Please,” he chokes out, lips turning blue, teeth chattering. “He… he was going to kill me. He found out that I was… stealing money from him. Just like I did with… with your money.”

Misha barks out a laugh, the sound harsh and grating. “You’re a fucking idiot, you know that? Who the fuck do you think you are?”

I snort, shaking my head in disgust. “And you thought taking his ledger was going to save your sorry ass?”

Dave trembles, his whole body shaking like a leaf. “No, I… I thought I could sell it off to you.”

I stare at his pathetic, sniveling face and feel a surge of victory.

He’s not just a thief. He’s a traitor. A rat. And I know he’s got information I need.

Vasiliev. That suka’s been a thorn in my side for too long. Always one step ahead, always slithering out of my grasp like the snake he is.

But not anymore. Not with his ledger in my hands. All his dirty little secrets laid bare for me to see. His suppliers, his contacts in the police, his buyers… it’s all mine now.

But I need more. Need to know everything. Every weakness, every pressure point. And Dave… Dave’s gonna give it to me.

I tighten my grip on his throat, leaning in until our faces are inches apart. “Listen up, you little shit. You’re going to tell me everything you know about Vasiliev. Every fucking detail. And if you even think about holding back…”

I let the threat hang in the air, let him fill in the blanks with his own twisted imagination.

Dave nods frantically, tears and snot running down his face. “I’ll tell you,” he whimpers. “I’ll tell you everything. Just… just don’t kill me. Please.”

I smile, the expression cold and cruel. “Oh, I’m not going to kill you, Dave. Not yet, anyway. First, you’re going to talk. And then…” I lean back, cracking my knuckles. “Then we’ll see just how valuable you really are.”

The thought makes my blood sing.

I’m gonna make this bastard pay. Gonna wring every last drop of information out of him.

And then I’m gonna use it to bring Vasiliev to his fucking knees.