Page 53 of Skin Deep

It wasn’t chance that Sergei would bring it up. He was making a dig at me, trying to make those memories surface. I schooled my features, presenting him with a blank mask.

He only smirked, knowing he’d found a weak spot.

Sergei’s grin widened. “So, howisTatty, War? You always were a momma’s boy. Always clutching her apron strings. Running home to tell her how mean I was to you.”

I clenched and unclenched my hands, imagining wringing his neck.He’s trying to piss you off, War. Don’t take the bait.

“And you…” He leaned forward, sneering as he took in Xander. “You a bitch now, Xander? Or you just look like a fucking pussy?”

Xander was fuming, but he was smart enough not to take the bait. “Well, they say you are what you eat. Maybe that’s why you’re such a fucking dick.”

I leaned forward, blocking Sergei’s view of Xander. “Fuck off, Sergei. Leave us alone.”

“Or what?” Sergei leaned back and threw his arms over the back of the booth with a shrug as one of his men took his drink. “You gonna kill me? Last I heard, you weren’t up to the task and one of us had to make the kill for you. Too squeamish around guns, they said.”

“I don’t need a gun to kill you,” I said.

He leaned forward again, almost seeming excited. “Oooh, is that a threat? No, wait. Don’t tell me. It’s a promise.”

“It’s a fact,” I corrected. “Don’t make me prove it.”

“You’re forgetting one thing, War. I’m untouchable and you…” He gestured vaguely to me. “Well, you’re just someone’s bitch.”

I eyed the other vory who’d surrounded our booth. There were five of them, plus Sergei. Six against two. I didn’t like those odds, especially since I couldn’t start killing them, not without bringing the whole organization down on my head. So much for keeping it low key.

I leveled a glare at Sergei and played the one card I detested most. “You lay a finger on me and Nikita will have every one of your fingers broken.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “There you go again. Hiding behind mommy and daddy. How typical.”

“I’m not hiding. I’m right here,” I replied.

“The fuck!” Xander growled as hands came down on either of his shoulders.

I jumped to my feet as two vory yanked him out of the booth. “Let him go!”

“Or what?” Sergei sneered again. “You see, War, I can’t do shit to you because you’re so goddamnspecial, but your adopted little brother here… Well, he’s fair game.”

Xander twisted in their grip, but he couldn’t get free. They had his hands pulled behind his back, holding him tight. He tried to rear his head back, but that earned him a punch to the gut. He grunted and doubled over, hanging limply.

I surged across the booth and grabbed Sergei by the shirt, jerking him up. “Call off your dogs, Sergei! Now!”

He smirked and laughed. “Or what?”

I clenched my fist, considering punching him in the face, but that wouldn’t get me far. I glanced around and saw half a dozen more vory closing in on our position. If I punched Sergei, we’d both get beaten, or worse.

I released Sergei. “Take me instead. Let Xander go.”

Sergei’s eyebrows shot up. He smoothed his hands over his suit jacket. “Now why would I do that?”

“Because I’m the one you want,” I said, trying not to sound too desperate. “You want to send a message? Hit me.”

He considered me, but didn’t say anything, giving a subtle nod to the guys holding Xander. The big one punched Xander again. Xander went limp and let out a miserable groan. They let him fall to the floor and started kicking him in the back and the ribs.

“I was the one asking questions!” I shouted, not caring that I sounded desperate now. “Coming here was my idea! Come on! He didn’t do anything! He’s only here because I asked him to come with me!”

Sergei smirked and held up a hand. Xander’s beating immediately halted. “Tell you what, Warrick. I’m feeling generous today. You can both leave…if you kiss my dirty boot and ask me nicely.” He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Or we can find out if you’re braver now than when you were eighteen. What was your boyfriend’s name again? Brayden? Brad?”

I clenched my jaw and glared at him. “His name was Brandon.”

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