Page 33 of Darkest Deeds

Fury runs hard and fast through my veins. I’m coated in rage, bathed in anger, and with my hands tied behind my back, I do the only thing I can.

I spit in his face.

Niko’s stone expression turns to thunder. Every muscle in his neck stretches as tight as a bowstring, and animosity pours off him like acid. Before I can utter another word, the bowstring snaps and his hand grabs the back of my neck, slamming me against him.

His hold tightens as ragged breaths fan over my cheeks. We’re face to face, but I’m unafraid of dying. Death came for me a long time ago. First when Niko was taken away and then when desperation stole my mind. The physical act of dying is the final step.

“Let me go, Niko.”

“Why, so you can fuck me over again? Giving my life for you once wasn’t good enough?”

I soften my voice. “I know I hurt you, but I was hurt too. Don’t you remember that part?”

“I remember everything,” he hisses. “I remember protecting you by staining my hands in blood. Paying for someone else’s sins. Begging you to tell the truth. And what did you do? You turned on me to save your own ass.”

“I was raped, Niko! You’re punishing me for that?”

“No, pchelka. I’m punishing you for keeping your mouth shut. I suffered in a homemade prison, a dungeon reeking of death, for two years because you couldn’t stand up to your fucking father and tell the truth about what your shit bag brother did to you.”

“Step-brother,” I bite out through clenched teeth.

“And what did my sacrifice get me? A slap in the face.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your pussy, Ava. It’s ironic, don’t you think? You killed a man for touching it, and now you sell it to the highest bidder.”

“I’m not a whore.”

“No? I paid a thousand dollars for you last night. You tell me.”

“Fuck you!”

The words slip out, and I hold my breath as Niko releases me. Placing the vodka bottle on a side table, he pulls a knife from the pocket of his jeans. Popping the blade, he holds it up, and I expect the monster to break free and sink his teeth into my jugular. Instead, he reaches behind me and slices through the zip tie.

I’m so stunned that my first instinct is to lash out. It’s like I’m still in a fog as I swing my arm around from behind and aim for his face. Niko grabs my wrist inches before my hand connects with his cheek. Neither of us move, both staring at my open palm in shock.

“I liked it better when you didn’t speak.” Niko sighs, a distant stare in his eyes. “I told you last night there’s a side of me I’ve kept restrained, but you’re trying my patience, Ava.”

“Why the interrogation?” I ask, my head lolling. “If you brought me here to kill me, shouldn’t you have done it by now?”

“The day’s not over.” He drops my arm, and I gently rub the raw, bleeding skin. “However, I do find it interesting…”

“What?”

“You’ll argue for your own life, but you didn’t even flinch when I said I planned to kill your father.”

“Maybe he deserves it.”

“Still heartless, I see.”

“You’ve become an expert on the subject,” I swing back. Men have tried to manipulate me my entire life. If Niko thinks he can crack my shell, he’s underestimated me.

“No, but I am an expert on sacrifice. Tell me, what sacrifices have you made, pchelka?”

“You have no idea.”

“Spreading your legs doesn’t count.”

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