Page 72 of Devil's Bride

“Fuck you.” I spit at his foot. “Mock me all you want now, because soon you’ll be nothing but a pile of dirt.”

He squats in front of me and places a cold finger under my jaw. “Will I?” He laughs, a sound which grates over my skin. “I don’t know if it’s the right time to break it to you, but your darling husband is just about to kill a pregnant woman to save you. How does that feel?”

My mouth turns to ash. “Liar.”

“You heard me talking to him yesterday. Forgive me for not telling you the details of our conversation.” He pushes a strand of tear-wet hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear. “Love is nothing but a weakness in our world, girl. And I intend to explore all of Alexei’s weakness until they’re exhausted, and then I will kill him.”

I feel vomit creep up my throat, both from his touch and the words he’s just spoken.

No, it can’t be true.

I want to retort and tell him Alexei will never do that, but I can’t be certain. He would do anything to save me. Anything. I know it.

“Bastard!” is all I can mutter.

Paulo chuckles. “Someone is here to see you.” He twists his head and nods to Igor. Igor walks to the door and opens it.

I recognize his shadow before I get a clear view of his face. My father is here to see me, and…he’s working with them—the Phoenix. Even now, despite everything.

“Dad!”

As my father enters the room, a mixture of feelings swirls within me. Relief that he's here, anger that he's working with them, and despair that I can't save myself from this situation.

My father's eyes meet mine, and there's a hint of regret in them. I can see the pain he's feeling, and it breaks my heart even more. He looks older, more worn, and far from the powerful, confident man I remember. “Irina,” he mutters as if somehow, that is all he can bring himself to say.

Paulo claps his hand on my father's shoulder, a smug grin on his face. “Well, well, the general has finally shown up, has he? Such a lovely father-daughter reunion.”

“This is not what we agreed,” my father growls, his voice furious. “She is my daughter! I said you could do whatever you wanted, as long as you didn’t hurt her.”

Paulo sighs. “I don’t remember agreeing to such bullshit, Matteo. She might be your daughter, but she’s Alexei’s wife, which puts her on my radar.”

“Let her go, please,” my father pleads. “If it’s Alexei you want, I’ll bring him here.”

“No, Dad. Don’t you dare hurt Alexei. I’ll never forgive you if you do.” Fear gnaws in my gut. Despair that all of this could end with Alexei dead. “I love him. I can’t live without him. Please!”

Paulo’s eyes crinkle with amusement. He’s clearly enjoying this. “You have until midnight today. Kill him after he kills Elena and bring his head to me.”

“I will do that, but in return you must allow my daughter go.”

“We have a deal.” Paulo smiles.

My father turns to me. All hint of emotion is gone from his face. “I’m sorry, Elena.” He turns and walks away.

***

I don’t know what time it is when Paulo comes to the dark room again with three other men, one of them being Igor.

“Get her up,” Paulo says. “We’re leaving.”

My heart sinks to my stomach. “Leaving? Where are you taking me?”

Paulo ignores me. “Take care of Matteo, his services will no longer be needed when he’s done with Alexei.”

Fear trickles through my veins like ice. “You’re a monster!” I fire at Paulo. “You deserve to die.”

Paulo finally meets my gaze, a cold smile playing on his lips. “Too bad I won’t be the one dying tonight, girl.”

“Where are you taking me?” I can't help but ask again, my voice trembling with fear.

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