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It was as if my inner monster rose and sniffed the air for danger. I reined it in.
Then I saw it. A single bulb flickered inside the gazebo, giving off just enough light to throw the shadows of three figures. Boris holding Katya down, Mikhail watching from the sidelines while smoking a fucking cigar.
Blood ran from Katya’s wrists down the length of her shaking arms, before dripping off her elbows. Despite everything that was happening, she shot me a fierce look.
For a second, the defiance in her eyes transfixed me. My gaze went to the dark liquid trickling between her fingers. Images of another time, another woman bleeding, flashed before my eyes.
I was on Boris in an instant. His head hit the wall when I gave him a right hook.
“You made her bleed,” I snarled.
“Like you didn’t make her bleed first,” Boris scoffed, making an obscene gesture to emphasize his disgusting allegation.
I smashed my knee into his crotch and with a yelp he doubled over. I hauled him back up. My fist landed on his left eye. Over and over again, until he was a bloody mess. My hands wrapped around his thick neck and I started squeezing. His beady eyes bulged as he choked. Darkness shrouded my vision. The monster inside me rejoiced, howled, and spurred me on to inflict more damage.
A hand landed on my shoulder but I ignored it. Another hand landed on my other shoulder.
“Blyat! Kristoff!”
Sokolov’s voice cut through the sound of blood rushing in my ears. My training kicked back in.
I dropped Boris’ bloody pulp and stepped back, my face an impassive mask.
My old mentor looked me up and down. “You done?”
Actually, I wasn’t. I dropped to my haunches, pulled out my knife, and in one move cut off Boris’ ear. His scream pierced the night air.
Sokolov cursed a streak. I hid my smile, remembering that it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
I spat on Boris. “The next time a woman saysnyet, you better listen,suka.”
“No more,” Sokolov all but growled. “You’ve already taken his ear and by the looks of it an eye.”
I reeled back at him. “You telling me what to do in my own home? He disrespected me by attacking my guest.” Respect was everything in the Bratva. A man who couldn’t defend his own home would never be votedpakhan.
Sokolov’s lips thinned. “You have the right to kill him, yes. But think of the bigger picture.” He emphasized the last part without going into it with Mikhail nearby.
Always the bigger picture. Boris was a pakhan’s nephew, the sole male heir. I needed their support if I was going to get into the Council.
He was right. I needed to remain cool and collected. It also made me aware of something else that had been coming for a long time. I was done being on the end of Sokolov’s leash. Freeing myself just made it to the top of my to-do list.
8
KATYA
I wiped away the blood from the corner of my mouth and crawled back onto my feet.
I’m still standing.
He did not break me.
That asshole didn’t fucking break me.
Kristoff’s eyes held a crazy look. For a split-second it was as if time stood still and it was only the two of us in the backyard.
Then I remembered what had almost happened. The assault, the groping, the nasty remarks. It happened because I had been left behind, like a lamb ready to be slaughtered by wolves. I missed my mom so much it hurt. She knew these men. She knew what could have happened, which is why she’d told me to stay in my room.
I spat on Boris who lay at my feet.
