Page 122 of Ruthless Reign

“It wasn’t Maxim—it was me. Surprise, motherfucker. I’m back from the dead.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

LIZA

The sound of Roman's voice is so vivid, so real, that my heart climbs into my throat and beats wildly. Maybe desperation makes you hallucinate?

Then I open my eyes.

It can't be. How is it possible?

The sight of him alive makes my stomach dip. Disbelief, joy, confusion—all of it—swirls inside of me.

Reality snaps back into place as Anatoly is torn off of me. Roman wrenches Anatoly’s head back by his hair, his face a cold, stoic mask as he drags him several feet away. Without hesitation, Roman cocks his fist and lands a heavy blow across Anatoly’s cheek. He staggers backward, blood streaming from his nose.

Roman turns back to glance at me. His eyes are shining with so much concern that it floods my heart. I’m still in shock. This man, whom I honestly thought I’d never see again, is here in the flesh, saving me. It’s overwhelming and amazing at the same time.

I mouth, I’m okay. My injuries can wait—killing Anatoly can’t.

“You’ve really fucked up, Anatoly. You have no idea how fucking brutal I’m going to make your death, but you’ll find out soon.”

Below, things have quieted down, but that doesn’t mean Anatoly’s guards won’t be coming for us.

“Roman, there are others,” I call out to him. “We should get out of here.”

He gives me a reassuring smile. “Pavel and Viktor are handling them. I don’t know what kind of bozos Anatoly hired, but they were a joke to take down.” His eyes swing back to Anatoly with a feral glint. “Let's not rush this moment. I think Anatoly should atone for his sins, don’t you?”

“You’re supposed to be fucking dead,” Anatoly shrieks, his face covered in blood. “What the fuck happened?”

Straddling him, Roman slams his fist into Anatoly's jaw, and a brutal crack echoes through the air. Anatoly groans, his head snapping to the side with the force.

“I don't really think you're in a position to be asking questions, but since it's such a good story, I won't hold back.”

Anatoly tries to fight back, swinging a desperate fist at Roman, but he's no match for him. Roman’s bigger, stronger, and way more skilled of a fighter. Roman retaliates with a sharp elbow to Anatoly's gut, causing him to double over in pain and retch.

I prop myself up to watch Roman exact his revenge. Despite the cold air and my throbbing foot, the sight of Anatoly experiencing pain and humiliation is beyond satisfying.

When Anatoly finishes, Roman presses a knife to his throat. Anatoly's breaths come in ragged gasps, his once neat tuxedo now a mess with blood and puke.

“So, like I was saying," Roman snarls. “The man you spoke to on the phone earlier today, the one you thought was Sergey, was actually his brother, Nikolai. He’s with Sofiya right now.”

Sofiya’s not being married off to Sergey? I release a gasp of surprise.

Roman raises his head, his voice soft when he addresses me. “She’s safe now. You don’t need to worry.”

My heart nearly collapses in relief. I know nothing about Nikolai, but if Roman trusts him, that's good enough for me.

Anatoly attempts to spit in Roman’s face, which earns him a sharp headbutt that mangles his nose. My stomach turns, but I refuse to look away.

“The kicker is that it was Nikolai who killed Sergey after he uncovered the disgusting shit you were up to. Trafficking women. Disgusting.” Roman shakes his head. “Did you think I’m so fucking stupid that I wouldn’t notice you were working with that piece of shit, Sergey, on the side? Fucking pitiful.”

“Fuck you,” Anatoly roars, his voice hoarse and broken. “And fuck her. I wish you were both killed in the attack after the opera.”

Roman’s eyes darken, and he whistles through his teeth. “Watch it, fuck face. You’re in enough shit as it is.” Roman presses the blade against Anatoly’s jugular. “Tell me, why did you want Liza dead after the opera? Is it because you knew I made her come all over my fingers as she enjoyed the show?”

Anatoly grunts loudly, his breathing ragged. “You were supposed to die that night. Liza was supposed to be scared shitless and fall in line. But the bitch didn’t learn her lesson.”

Roman’s smile is so cold and twisted that a shiver blasts down my spine. “Apparently, you haven't learned your lesson either.”

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