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My father's voice cuts through the confusion, sharp and accusatory. "Betrayal? This is how you repay your family, Mariya? By dragging our name through the mud in front of these people?" His eyes are blazing, a mix of fury and panic.
"No, Dad," I retort, my voice steady. " I'm doing this for my family." I place my hand protectively over my belly, my eyes scanning the crowd until they lock with Damien's. The understanding and love in his gaze give me strength.
This is all my father can take. The crowd's eyes are on him, and judging by his expression, he understands that he’s sunk.
With a final, desperate look, my father turns and flees off the stage toward the back of the theatre, escaping the judgment of those he once considered himself superior to. I stand tall at the podium, the weight of my confession and actions settling over me like a cloak.
As the crowd begins to buzz with the fallout of my revelations, I step down from the podium, my heart racing with a mixture of triumph and an unshakable certainty that I've just changed the course of my life forever.
Over the din and disorder of the crowd, I lock eyes with Damien once more. He nods, then starts in the direction that my father fled.
Chapter 37
Damien
Idart through the ornate halls of the theatre, keeping my focus squarely on Vadem’s fleeing figure. My steps are measured, a predator's gait, as I shadow him, a smirk tugging at my lips. This isn't a chase; it's a herding, guiding the prey to the inevitable end I've orchestrated.
Vadem bursts through the backstage door, his panicked breaths echoing in the narrow alleyway. I pause at the doorway, watching him disappear into the building across the alley, scurrying like a mouse right into the trap we've set.
I cross the alley, my stride confident and unhurried. Entering the warehouse, the scene before me is exactly as planned. The dimly lit space, filled with stacked crates and the faint smell of dust and old wood, is a stark contrast to the glamour of the theatre.
"Running only makes it worse, Vadem!" I shout, my tone laced with mocking amusement. "You're in our world now, and there's no diplomatic immunity here!"
I can almost feel his panic, tangible in the cool night air. "Come on, Vadem!” I shout. “You wanted to play with the big dogs, didn't you? Here's your chance!"
My voice echoes off the grimy walls, a provoking taunt in the darkness. "You know, I thought politicians were supposed to be good at negotiations. Yet here you are, trying to outrun your problems. That's not very politician-like."
I chuckle to myself, the sound sharp and cutting through the warehouse. It's a calculated move, designed to unnerve him further, to remind him that he's no longer in control. "We're going to have a little chat, you and me. About loyalty, about family, about the consequences of betrayal. I promise it'll be enlightening."
And that’s when Vadem approaches the middle of the room. I arrive just in time to see the look on his face as he takes in what awaits him.
Samuil, Andrei, and Anastasia stand there, their expressions hard and unyielding.
"Welcome to the end of the line, Vadem," I call out into the darkness of the warehouse, my voice steady and calm. The satisfaction of the moment pulses through me, a vindication for all the chaos and pain Vadem has caused.
I glance at my family, a silent acknowledgment of our unity in this final act. Together, we've cornered our traitor, setting the stage for the reckoning he so rightfully deserves. The trap is sprung.
The warehouse echoes with the sound of scuffling as Anastasia and Samuil efficiently subdue Vadem, dragging him across the floor like a rag doll.
"Please, I can pay you! I have connections, power!" Vadem's voice cracks as he pleads, the desperation evident in his tone. He's scrambling now, throwing out every possible lifeline in the hope that one might save him from the fate he's engineered for himself.
But Samuil and Anastasia remain unmoved, their expressions as hard as stone. They've heard these pleas a thousand times before from men just like him. There's no mercy in their eyes, no hint of consideration for the empty promises spilling from Vadem's lips. They secure him to a chair, ensuring his bindings are tight and unyielding.
Samuil steps aside, nodding grimly at me. "He’s yours, Damien. Do as you see fit."
"You know," I begin, my voice calm but carrying a dangerous edge, "Dante wrote that the lowest pit of hell was reserved for traitors. Seems fitting, doesn't it?"
Vadem's face contorts with fear, his earlier bravado evaporating into the stale air of the warehouse.
I circle him slowly, my footsteps echoing in the hollow space. "You thought you could play games with the Bratva that you could manipulate us for your own gain. But you see, in our world, loyalty is everything. And betrayal..." I pause, leaning in close so he can feel the intensity of my words, "Betrayal is unforgivable."
The fear in his eyes is intense, and his attempts at negotiation are now just whispered pleas.
"You've set into motion events that you cannot comprehend," I continue, my voice low. "You've endangered lives, destroyed trust, and now you'll face the consequences of your actions."
I send a brief text to Mariya. It's time. My gaze shifts back to Vadem, who looks every bit the cornered rat he is. "I've been mulling over what to do with you," I tell him, my voice steady. "But I’ve realized it's not my decision to make."
As Mariya walks in, the stark warehouse setting contrasts sharply with her stunning appearance. She moves with a grace that belies the gravity of the moment. I can't help but admire her strength and poise in such a situation.
