AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Boss…?” Slava gasps, looking around wildly.
I remember thinking the kid had potential. He still might.
But I can’t take that chance.
My fist hits the side of his face before he even realizes what’s happening. I don’t know if it’s the shock or the blow itself that sends him toppling backward. Maybe both. What I do know is how fucking satisfying it is to watch him eat grass and cough up blood.
I’ve been chasing ghosts for a week.
It feels good to hit something.
Armond stands rooted to the side, looking like he wishes he was anywhere else. I’m not about to give him a pass, though. Maybe I’ll spare their lives tonight; I haven’t fully decided yet. But both of these motherfuckingmudaksneed to understand the consequences of disloyalty.
I’m closing in on Slava again when I hear shuffling on the stone path behind us.
“For God’s sake!” an unwelcome voice calls impatiently. “What’s going on here?”
I glance over my shoulder to see Mila standing there in her usual tomboyish clothes, her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. Dima is standing right behind her, surveying the scene with wary eyes.
She walks over to me and braces her hands on her hips. “When are you gonna be done with this?”
“When Slava stops breathing,” I answer grimly.
“For God’s sake, Ilarion,” Mila hisses, “the kid’s not a mole.” She glances over at Slava, who’s still spitting out blood and grass. “He’s got nothing to do with the ugly business from the suburbs.”
“You seem awfully confident, oh sister of mine. Know something you’re not telling me?”
“I conducted background checks on all the men with access,” Dima interrupts, stepping in for my sibling. “Both Armond and Slava came out clean.”
“I told ya, boss,” Slava splutters through broken teeth. “I would never betray you.”
Where have I seen that song and dance before? It’s still too fresh. Too familiar. But with a grimace, I turn away and wipe my knuckles on my pants.
Fine. These bastards will live—for now.
“Get on your feet,” I tell Slava without looking at him.
He’s shaking when he manages to straighten up. I’ve broken his nose and cracked two of his front teeth, and I don’t feel the least bit sorry about it.
“Tell the rest of them that if they even think about double crossing me, I will endthem. Am I understood?”
Slava nods over and over. The way he sniffles, with tears in the corners of his eyes, only reminds me of just how young and new to this world—this fucked-up hellscape—he really is. I tell myself we need the manpower. My not killing him has nothing to do with the sudden sting of pity in my gut.
“Get out of here,” I sigh. “Both of you.”
They don’t wait around to be told twice.
“Well,thatwas smooth,” Mila grumbles the moment both men disappear around the corner.
“It was necessary.” I tuck the blade back in its sheath.
“Was it?” she asks. “What are you trying to do, exactly? Alienate the rest of your men by accusing them of treachery one by one? Not all of them will do what—”
“Don’t say his name in my presence,” I growl. “Not today.”
Mila stops short and sighs. Then she glances at Dima as though he has the power to talk some sense into me. But I don’t need sense; I need results. I need fuckinganswers.My sister always feels like she needs to “manage” me. It’s what makes her a fantastic second-in-command—and also a fantastic pain in my ass.
Thank fuck for Dima. He has a habit of balancing us both out by being the honorary third sibling we never knew we needed.
