"I know you hate me." I cut him off, voice terrifyingly calm. "Hate that I have everything you want. Now I'm giving you a chance—watch me bleed with your own eyes. Then let her go."
Derek froze.
Carmine frowned.
"What trick are you pulling?" Derek asked warily.
"No trick." I slowly rolled up my sleeve, exposing my forearm. "If you don't believe me, I can shoot myself to prove my sincerity."
"Nikolai!" Vivienne sobbed hysterically. "Don't—please—"
I finally looked at her, those dark gray eyes filled with unprecedented tenderness and guilt.
"I'm sorry, firecracker. I came too late."
Then I bent down, picked up the gun, and pressed the barrel against my left arm.
Derek stared at me for a long time, his expression shifting from hesitation to doubt to sick excitement.
"Interesting. Then, shoot, brother. Let me see how low the great Pakhan will stoop for a woman."
I took a deep breath.
The second before I pulled the trigger, my gaze moved past Derek to meet Vivienne's eyes.
Hers were full of despair and tears, shaking her head violently.
But I smiled at her—an incredibly gentle, apologetic smile.
Then I shifted the barrel slightly and pulled the trigger.
Searing pain exploded. Though I'd avoided anything vital, the bullet still tore through my left arm. Blood gushed out, splashing crimson on the ground.
I clenched my jaw, didn't even grunt, just kept staring at Derek.
"Now. Let her go."
Derek laughed like a maniac.
"Look at this! The great Pakhan shot himself for a woman! This is fucking spectacular—Carmine, did you see that? The power of love!"
He was too absorbed in his laughter.Too excited.
So excited that his grip on the gun loosened half an inch.
Now!
Vivienne jerked her head down, sinking her teeth into Derek's finger!
"Ah—fuck!" Derek screamed, the gun barrel jerking away.
I raised my hand, aimed.
The bullet drilled through Derek's forehead.
The smile froze on his face. His body stiffened for a second, then collapsed heavily. His eyes still open. Dead but staring.
"Damn it!" Carmine reacted, reaching for his gun—
