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“Yes. But the day you and your brother shot her husband for doing his job was the day you turned her against you. She wanted revenge, so I gave her the opportunity to seek it out.”
I bite my tongue hard enough to draw blood. “That’s always your move, isn’t it? Seeking out the most vulnerable amongst us and use them to carry out your agenda.”
“Smart, isn’t it?”
“That wasn’t a compliment. It’s insidious.”
“It’seffective,” he argues. “It was so easy to plant her as your housekeeper. You didn’t think twice because she’d been working for the Antonovs for years.”
“Why didn’t you have her kill me?”
“Because knowledge is power, dear boy. Why kill off my greatest asset when she could keep all sorts of tabs on you. She could easily come and go without raising suspicions. She was privy to every single one of your meetings. And you never once thought to question her motives because she’s such a sweet old lady.”
“Why take Simon? He has nothing to do with this.”
“Because I need insurance. I want your territory, Dimitri. All of it. I thought killing you was the best course of action, but now I realize going after your loved ones is far more effective.”
“If you hurt him, I swear to God—”
“Whether or not anything befalls the child is entirely up to you. So, with that in mind, have you made your decision?”
I glance at my watch. I’ve kept him talking for a long time, but I haven’t received any updates from Mikhail. I need to keep stalling until I get the green light.
“What’s all this about, anyway?” I ask carefully. “All of this bloodshed… For what?”
Levitsky hums. “My family used to run this country, you know. Not just Moscow—fuckingRussia. I don’t think you were even born yet but believe me when I say we were unstoppable. Our people were hidden in every level of the government. We commanded trade, policy, and war. And then, almost overnight, we lost it all. Can you even imagine what that must have been like? I was a fuckingking. All the money, women, and power… It was taken from me. I watched as my family tore itself apart, but I vowed to get it all back. One day, I’d restore my family’s name. No matter the cost.”
A part of me pities the man. He’s a lost cause. No amount of negotiation will change his mind. He’s so blinded by the glory days, his heart corrupted to the point of no return. It’s clear now that he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
That’s why I have to stop him.
“So?” he asks. “Are you going to give me what I want, Mr. Antonov?”
I swallow hard, my throat unbearably dry as I rasp, “Yes.”
Chapter 39
Natalya
This place—The Pit, Mikhail called it—gives me the creeps. I don’t like it one bit, but there’s no denying the utility of having a place where we can work in peace.
Well, relative peace.
Belyaev is one hell of a screamer.
He’s spent the last ten minutes cussing us up and down. Spitting, snarling, hissing. The man’s a wild animal who knows he’s trapped in a corner. Mikhail hasn’t even done anything to him yet, just threatened him with a good old-fashioned teeth knocking. No cigar. The man won’t listen. I’m pretty sure he’d rather chew his tongue off than talk to us.
I glance at my wristwatch. We’re running out of time.
Mikhail has Belyaev strapped to a chair with thick black zip ties. His ankles are also bound to the chair legs. No matter how much he struggles, he’s not going anywhere. Mikhail goes through the motions, demanding a location that Belyaev refuses to give. Nothing seems to work.
Not the blinding lights pointed directly at his face. Not the distant, threatening clang of metal on metal behind him. And it’s clear physical pain doesn’t work on the guy, either.
“Tell us where Levitsky is hiding!” Mikhail roars.
“Go fuck yourself!” Belyaev growls back.
It’s like watching two lions square off for the same piece of meat. One’s willing to guard it with his life, while the other is ready to tear the other apart for a slice.
