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He sighs. “This is why you need me, Timofey. I see the bigger picture, and I will always put the end game above individual lives.”
“Except your own,” I growl. “You always manage to save yourself.”
I should have killed him that night in the entryway. If Akim hadn’t rushed in to tell me about Benjamin’s disappearance, I would have. And I would have enjoyed every fucking second of it.
“I always manage to save you, too, Timofey. That’s all I’ve ever done. Can’t you see that?”
At one time, I thought Sergey was doing me a favor by taking me in. That opinion faded fast. I knew I was only as valuable to him as I was useful. I settled for that kind of love versus the alternative.
Sergey made sure I’d come to regret that choice.
“I see exactly what I need to see.”
“Then you can forgive me.” He says it like a point of fact rather than a question. It certainly isn’t an apology. “If you see my true intentions, you’ll be able to forgive me for what I did to save you. Now, we can both move forward together.”
Maybe if Sergey had genuinely apologized, there is the smallest chance that I could try to forgive him.
But he isn’t sorry. He is never sorry. I know, for a fact, that all it would take is the tiniest threat to his control and he would kill me.
He’d kill Piper. Our child. He’d kill Benjamin, too.
The loss of Benjamin is a knife in my side. One I can’t forget or remove. It’s a constant, aching loss I will have to learn to live with.
It’s a loss I will use to fuel my desire to never lose someone so precious to me again.
That crusade starts with murdering my father.
“The only way forward for the two of us is for you to die,” I tell him flatly. “I will do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Then I hang up the phone.
29
TIMOFEY
The entire time I’m driving, my phone is vibrating in the cupholder. I assume it is Sergey trying to contact me again. But when I park in the garage and grab my phone, it’s not Sergey.
Reporters, journalists, and my own Vors have been texting and calling about a news story that broke thirty minutes ago.
CEO of Viktorov Industries Involved in Airport Brawl
“Shit.”
I swatted a phone out of a woman’s hand as I chased Kreshnik, but I knew she wasn’t the only one recording. Everyone and their fucking dog has a camera permanently attached to their hand these days. I should have known this would make headlines. Especially since I was so busy chasing Kreshnik that I didn’t pull any connections to try and get the story quashed.
I fire off a text to my publicist first.Kreshnik had too much to drink on the flight, and I was defending Piper from his drunk attacks. I know I told you to pull the stories referencing her before, but release them now.
The plan was always to capitalize on Piper’s squeaky clean image. But after Arber’s attack on the wedding rehearsal dinner, I didn’t want to bring any more attention to her than necessary. I wanted to keep her safe.
Now, her connection to me will ensure people think twice before they fuck with her. It doesn’t hurt that she’ll make me look sympathetic in the papers.
The next message I send is for the chairman of the board for Viktorov Industries.Meeting tonight to discuss damage control. Notify the board.
I drop my phone in my lap as another reporter texts, desperate for an exclusive, and close my eyes.
What I wouldn’t give to be back in that hotel room with Piper. Before Kreshnik resurfaced. Before I knew Benjamin was…
I shake my head. The words are too final. Too painful. Before my mind can dwell on the loss, I hop out of the car.
