Page 56 of Dancing With Distraction

My father groans, covering his face with his hands. “What have you done?”

“I’ve done what you should have done,” I tell him, standing. “I don’t need to beg for access to the docks or the trains because I am taking them. I’ve offered his clients a better deal, and they were very happy to cut him out. Now, I have one hundred percent shares in all he had.”

“He’ll kill you,” my father spits.

“He’s not powerful enough to end me,” I snap. “Now there’s no wedding, don’t let us keep you.”

“This is because of the girl?” he asks, his tone full of disdain. “Don’t you see, you’ve just painted a target on her back? She’s not like us, Dmitry. She’s innocent and she won’t last in hell.”

“Your marriage to my mother was forced,” I remind him, “and she hated you for it. I’m not making the same mistakes.”

“So, you’re going to marry for love,” he sneers, “and then watch her die at the hands of the enemies you’re making.”

“It was nice seeing you, Father. Let me know when you’ve landed safely.”

He turns towards the exit before pausing to add, “You mess with the order and things become chaos.” And then he leaves.

Dmitry

Isit at my desk, contemplating my next move. I thought by blowing off Vivian and my father, I would gain some satisfaction, but instead, I feel nothing but this ball of anger in my stomach.

Someone needs to be punished for what Victoria went through. I won’t feel satisfied until blood is spilled.

Pulling out the file from my drawer, I drain the rest of my whiskey and make my way out of my office. I need to blow off some steam.

“Nik, bring the Range Rover around front. I need to pay someone a little visit.” I throw him the keys and put my jacket back in place, straightening my tie.

I drop Vitoria a text.

Me: Be ready to go out for dinner this evening. I’ll be there at seven to pick you up. D x

I check my watch. That gives me two hours to dampen the rage coursing through my veins. I crack my knuckles and make my way out to the front, where Nik is waiting for me with the engine running.

I smile with satisfaction at Judge Davies, who is currently tied to his chair. He was easy to sneak up on, considering we caught him with his trousers down. Literally. He was balls deep in the personal assistant he had bent over his desk. The bastard is married with three kids, so not only does he protect fucking paedophiles, but he also doesn’t even respect his family.

He eyeballs me as I circle him. Nik stays in the doorway, keeping quiet but watching my back.

“Do you have something to say, Judge Davies?” He tries to reply, but the rag I stuffed in his mouth muffles the sound. “Sorry, I can’t hear you.” I snigger, dragging the blade up his naked thighs, stopping just before I get to his limp dick. The blade goes in just deep enough to scratch the surface, and I watch as blood trickles down his legs. “See, these last forty-eight hours have been hell for me.” I dig the knife deeper into his thigh, twisting. His suppressed cries sound painful, and a tear leaks from the corner of his eye. “The cunt I wanted to kill is already dead, so unfortunately, you’re the only sick, corrupt bastard left.”

I move my blade to his other leg, repeating the same slice and twist action. He strains against the ropes holding him, shaking his head and growling through the rag. It’s no good—he won’t get any sympathy from me. He suddenly goes silent and his head lolls to one side. I groan in frustration, and look to Nik, who rolls his eyes. There’s no way this bastard is going to give out on me so early.

I slap his face, and he sits up in alarm. “Nuh-uh-uh,” I tell him, waggling a finger in his dazed face. “I’m only just getting started, Davies.”

I spend some time tracing nice patterns over his body, enjoying the way the blade makes such light work of intricate detailing.

Taking a look at my watch, I realise I’m getting short on time and sigh. “I’d love to stay and play a little longer, but I’ve got a date.” He almost looks relieved, and I smirk at the piece of shit, shaking my head at him. “You don’t think I’ll be leaving you like this?” I ask, sounding amused. “You really don’t know much about me, Judge Davies. I like to finish a job.”

I plunge the blade into his stomach and his eyes widen in shock. I drag the blade slowly upwards, towards his chest, gutting him like a fish. The metallic scent of blood fills the air as I marvel at how the blade glides like a knife through butter. I inhale it, savouring the smell. There’s something satisfying about watching the life drain from a scumbag’s eyes. His muffled screams begin to fade out as his life drains away, but it’s not nearly as quick as I’d like, so I swipe the knife across his throat. The crimson fluid soaks his body and sprays over my suit jacket. I roll my eyes as he gurgles for a few seconds before his head drops forward. Thank fuck for that.

Nik throws me a handkerchief to wipe my hands clean, then he shrugs out of his suit jacket and hands it to me so I can change out of mine.

I crack my neck from side to side and feel the stress of the last two days evaporate along with this man’s life.

“I’ll leave you to clean up,” I say, throwing my jacket to the floor.

“What should I do about the girl?” he asks, nodding towards the cupboard the assistant is locked in.

“Send her over to one of the clubs in Russia.”

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