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“And he was almost killed by a drunk driver because you took a fucking vacation.”

The anger in my brother’s voice caught me off guard. “Fuck you.”

Roman’s eyes opened wide. “Jesus, Maxsim. If Kristoff had been at the birthday party, you would have put him inside to watch over Isabel and Mina. And if so, he would be dead. Is that what you prefer?”

I was gasping for air, my lungs constricted. I turned my head toward Kristoff, noticing the horror in his eyes. He wasn’t pleading for his life or begging for forgiveness. He was merely being a good soldier like I’d taught him to be.

As soon as I released my hold, he crumpled against the SUV and I backed away. What in the fuck was I doing? I turned and headed back toward the building while raking my hands through my hair several times. Images of Isabel’s and Mina’s faces continually rolled through my mind. The pressure on my chest continued while my anger continued to spin out of control.

All while my men were watching their Pakhan lose his shit.

Who the fuck had asked them to come with me. In my fury, I threw a punch against the exterior of the building, reveling in the anguish driven down the length of my arm.

“That’s a good way to get your damn hand broken,” Roman said from behind me.

“Who the fuck cares.” I flexed and fisted my hand, savoring the pain. It was better than the earlier despair.

He dared move closer a few seconds later, standing beside me as we both stared at the vehicles moving back and forth on the busy road.

“I guess you might if you’re hoping to use the same hand with your weapon.”

Goddamn it. He was criticizing my behavior. Fuck him.

“Why are you here?” I asked, my tone showcasing the annoyance. “To ride me about how I’m handling this?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what?”

“To lend my support. Maybe now to try and keep you calm. If that’s even possible.”

“And what else?”

Roman used his thumb to scratch his head. “I don’t why I’m bothering to ask this. I know the answer. You’re ready to burn down the entire city at this point. However, I’m required to ask the question. What do you want to do, Maxsim? The men are asking.”

I could hear the hesitation in his voice, but I could also hear a quieter level of despair as I was feeling. He’d lost his niece as well. Maybe I needed to remind myself I wasn’t the only one suffering.

The question had been asked more than once, the men closest to me concerned about my state of mind. Everyone was restless. Four of our men had been killed in the explosion, three more succumbing to gunshot wounds while trying to control the exterior. Their injuries indicated whoever had been responsible had remained on scene, perhaps not realizing I’d been called outside.

“We have their funerals,” I told him, surprised at the level tone in my voice. The final goodbye, something I wanted no part of.

“And after that?”

I slowly turned to face him. “Then we bring the fire of God to this city unlike anything the good people of this town have ever seen.”

CHAPTER 2

Maxsim

Blood raining in the streets.

Bodies piling up, morgues filled with cadavers.

That’s all that mattered to me.

And that’s exactly what tonight would bring.

I kicked open the door of a house, ignoring the screams coming from within. There was no second guessing my decision or what ramifications would come from my actions.