Page 53 of A Bride for the Mafia King

Blood splatters. His nose crunches. He grunts, arms flailing, desperately trying to block me.

"You think your father would be proud of what you’ve become?"

Another blow.

"Your father—" I spit the words like poison. "—was a man of honor. He died saving me. You’ll die because you betrayed me and disrespected his memory."

I punched him again.

"He chose to protect me, he chose that. And I’ve lived with his death every damn day since."

Crack. Blood is seeping multiple contusions on his face now, his eye is swelling shut now.

"I gave your mother that money as atonement. I tried to help. To keep you both comfortable. But you? You wanted revenge?"

I drag him up by the collar, slam him into the floor again.

"You’re not an avenger," I snarl. "You, you’re filth. Just trash looking for someone to blame."

He coughs, sputtering, trying to speak—but I don’t let him. I punch him until I’m panting, knuckles wet, arms shaking. Until all that’s left beneath me is a bloodied, broken thing that barely looks human.

Then I finally stop. Not because I’m done, but because Eva groans behind me.

My head snaps up. Eyes locking on her previously still frame. The sound slices through the haze of blood and fury like a blade. My heartbeat stutters and I turn just enough to see her sitting upright in the chair, lifting her head to watch me.

She’s awake.

She’s alive.

Behind me, Yaro moves—just barely. A groan. A twitch of fingers against the concrete. A smear of red trailing from his mouth. And I realize he’s still breathing. I’m not willing to risk it.

I stand, calm and slow, every cell in my body is made of steel. I draw my pistol and aim it directly at him as he tries to lift his head.

His one good eye blinks up at me, blood-streaked and dazed. And I shoot him in the chest.

Once.

Twice.

His body jerks with each shot—then goes still, dark blood spreading out like a shadow beneath him.

The echo of the gunfire fades into a terrible, perfect silence. I holster the weapon without looking as I rush to Eva’s side.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper as I kneel beside her, pulling my knife out to saw through the ties around her ankles and then her wrists. “You’re safe now.”

She stirs, lashes fluttering. Her lips move, forming my name in a cracked whisper.

“Tolya…”

Crouching low I brush the hair from her face, gently touching her cheek. She blinks at me, disoriented. “He… kicked me.”

“I know, kotyonok. I know.”

I snap the last tie with a savage rip and pull her into my arms, holding her like she’ll disappear if I don’t anchor her to this world.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper, low and deadly calm. “No one will ever touch you again.”

Chapter Twenty-One