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I’m not sure these sacrifices are worth it.
“He’s still alive,” Vadik says from the front seat. “Our men are coming to take him to the hospital. Niko will take you home.”
I draw a deep breath and my fear gives way to anger, which is a good thing. I need this. It gives me power. Energy. Strength. Resolve
“I’m not going home. We are not going home. Evie and I set out to take care of her education today, and that’s what we are going to do. Niko, will you take us the rest of the way to the high school?” I ask, brushing at the smudges on my light-colored clothes.
I don’t care if I look dirty. Let them see me like this. Let everyone see me like this. I want the world to know it can go fuck itself. It can try as hard as it wants, but I’m not being scared into hiding. I have to live my life.
I’m pissed. Fucking pissed. Pissed at Dimitri for constantly terrorizing me and pissed at the guys for letting him. With a gun in my hand today, I almost took him out. I shot someone, although I don’t know who. It doesn’t matter. I got someone in their group and I hope they now know I am capable of some level of self-defense. Maybe not like the pros are, but I have some smarts and can put them to use.
I’m making it clear I’m not a victim anymore. I won’t roll over for them. They can come for me, but I will fight them all the way with everything I have. Hell, I almost killed Dimitri. That feels fucking awesome.
Next time I won’t miss.
Vadik puts an arm around me, leading me toward Niko’s car. But I shrug him off. I don’t want to be comforted. I don’t want sympathy.
I want revenge.
Haven’t I already suffered enough? Haven’t I already sacrificed enough?
It’s time for the universe to fucking do something forme. It’s my turn. And I’m tired of waiting.
As if Vadik can read my mind, he looks around to make sure Evie’s not too close, and lowers his voice as he leans nearer.
“Things have changed, Charleigh,” he says in a low voice.
I tilt my head at him. “Oh really? How so, Vad?” I ask sarcastically.
Yeah, things have changed.Ihave changed.
“Instead of waiting for thePakhan, my brothers and I are taking action. This war over you has got to stop, and if thePakhancan’t or won’t do anything about it, we will. It’s not a hard problem to remedy, and we’ve been waiting long enough.”
“Wait? What? You guys are taking action?” I ask, incredulous.
He nods.
There are no words to describe the weight lifted from my chest. I breath whole, long breaths, gulping at the air like I’m starving for it, and throw my arms around his neck.
“Oh, thank you, Vadik. Thank you. This is the right thing to do. I know it,” I say.
I glance over at Evie, in the backseat of Niko’s car, where he’s trying to engage her in conversation.
She’s more interested in what Vadik and I are talking about.
“We’re going to destroy the man. It’s been a long time coming, and there’s no reason to drag it out any longer. We’re as sick of this as you are. Maybe even more so.”
I can see that. After all, they’ve been dealing with Dimitri all their lives.
Vadik is right. Enough is enough. For the first time in weeks, I feel like maybe I’m getting the break I deserve, and that the universe is listening to me for once.
Now all I have to do is convince the guys that I be the one to take down Dimitri.
Hear that, universe? I’mback.
* * *
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
