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“If you surrender, your fiancée and children will be spared. I won’t kill them. Now, get rid of your gun.”
I glance at the door. I don’t see Dima in the window, but I have to trust that he’s listening in. That he’ll know when to step in.
Reluctantly, I place my gun on the floor and slide it towards the back wall.
“I know you didn’t come in here with one gun. I want all of them on the floor.”
I roll my eyes and unstrap the gun from my ankle. I slide it next to the other weapon in the corner.
“That’s all I have. I’m going to step out now.” I say it loudly, directing the words towards the door so Dima can hear.
Despite Pavel’s threats, I know he doesn’t want to kill me. Not yet, anyway. He wants to torture me first. He wants to tear me down brick by brick. Shooting me in the head wouldn’t accomplish that. So he isn’t going to shoot to kill right now.
With that semi-encouraging thought, I slowly stand up.
Pavel is standing just in front of the curtain. He’s sporting a patchy beard and sunken-in cheeks and there are dark circles under his eyes. He looks like shit. Nothing like the fresh-faced kid I remember.
As soon as he sees me, he grins. His face twists and his eyes go dark. Forget being a fresh-faced kid—he doesn’t even look human.
“It’s good to finally see you, Yakov. It’s been a long time.”
He inches closer and I match his movements. I shift towards the back of the room. If I can work my way around to the wall of cabinets against the back wall, that will put Pavel directly in front of the door.
“It has been a long time,” I agree. “Put the gun away and we’ll catch up.”
He snorts. “I always thought Nikandr was the funny one. Maybe not anymore. I’m sure being crippled is putting a bit of a damper on things.”
I shrug. “It could be worse. He could be an orphan.”
His eyes narrow. Rage burns beneath the surface. “How do you feel knowing your kids will grow up without their father?”
“At least they’ll grow up,” I say truthfully. “That is what you promised, isn’t it? You won’t touch them or Luna.”
He wags a finger in the air, his gun still aimed at my head. “I said I wouldn’t kill them. That is very different from saying I wouldn’t touch them.”
I want to charge across the room and smash his skull into the floor, but I take another step towards the back wall. Without even realizing it, Pavel mirrors my movement. With every step I take, he’s closer and closer to the door.
“I thought you wanted peace,” I growl.
He snorts. “There is no peace for me. Not anymore. There is only revenge.”
“You’ll sacrifice your life for revenge?”
“I’ve sacrificed a lot of lives for revenge,” he fires back. “It’s ironic we’re even talking about this, considering you’re the man who technically sacrificed those lives. You tore through the Gustev Bratva like it was your job.”
“I did what I had to do to save my family. What’s your excuse?” I snap.
He rolls his eyes. “I’ve already told you: revenge. It’s the only excuse I need.”
“If you’re doing this because you think it will help you sleep better, you’re wrong. Killing your father didn’t make me feel better about losing mine. Killing Akim wasn’t satisfying, either. Revenge for revenge’s sake is never worth it.”
“No offense,” he drawls, “but I’m not going to take your word on that. Revenge is sweet. It’s as good a thing as any to build a life around.”
I shake my head. “A year ago, I would have agreed with you. Now, I know the truth.”
Luna. Our babies. The life we’re building. All of that is better than revenge. I’d let Pavel walk free right now if I knew for a fact he’d never show his face again. If I knew my family would be safe.
“Oh, God,” he groans. “If you’re hoping I’ll spare you because of some sob story, save your fucking breath. Hearing how much you love your little wifey and your unborn spawn is just going to make what comes next even better.”
