I didn’t need to guess who it was.
Misha Petrov.
Always a step ahead. Always the shadow at my back.
Papa was waiting in the great room when they dragged me in. Cigar in hand, suit immaculate, rage barely contained behind his thin smile.
“You ungrateful little bitch,” he said, voice low and lethal.
“After everything I sacrificed, this is how you repay me?”
I struggled against the guards holding me.
“Sacrificed?” I spat. “You sold me to save your empire!”
“I made you valuable!” he roared, slamming his fist onto the marble table, the sound echoing like a gunshot. “Without me, you’re nothing but a burden!”
My chest heaved, fury and fear choking me.
“You’re ruining everything,” he said, stepping closer, jabbing a finger at my face. “If this deal falls through, do you know what will happen? You think the Petrov Bratva will let you live? You think the cartel families will forgive your betrayal?”
I stared at him, hatred burning in my gut.
“If you refuse to cooperate,” he said too softly, “Gabriela will take your place. She will marry whoever I choose. Or worse.”
Gabriela.
Sweet, fragile Gabriela.
My mouth dried.
I couldn’t let that happen.
I wouldn’t.
“Fine,” I bit out. “I’ll go but you must promise not to force Gabriela into marriage.”
He smiled then, cruel and victorious. “If I get good reports of you. Gabriela will be fine.”
Hours later, I sat on the edge of my bed, numb. Gabriela clutched my hand like she was afraid I’d vanish. The door creaked open. One of the housekeepers entered, her voice tight with nerves.
“Señorita... there’s news. About Señor Yuri.”
I didn’t breathe.
“What news?”
Her gaze dropped to the floor. “He was found dead. Shot in the head. Twenty minutes ago. No witnesses.”
The world blurred. Gabriela gasped, but I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. I just sat there, ice locking my limbs in place.
Yuri was gone.
And deep down, I already knew who was behind it. Misha Petrov didn’t make idle threats.
I had expected it. I had hoped not to. But hope was a fragile thing, and Misha crushed fragile things like they were nothing.
He hadn’t killed Yuri for me. He’d done it to claim what he thought was his.
