Page 47 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

“Just be smart about this.”

“Aleksander, I’m your boss. Don’t tell me what to do.”

I bow my head. “Understood.” I look back at Gleb and then Sofiya and Mila, unsure whether they should be left alone with him or not. But Mikhail is already out the door, and so I follow him. Because that’s my job.

MILA

Once Mikhail and Aleksander leave, Gleb turns to me. “Mila, I wanted to get a chance to speak with you.”

“Not right now. I’m too worried about Vik.”

“Vik will be fine. She’s a tough girl.”

Sofiya narrows her eyes and places her hands on her hips. “Why did you think Vik would kill herself?”

“Because she said so.”

“And how did you end up losing her?”

He shrugs. “You know Viktoriya. She never wanted to marry to begin with. The moment I turned my back, she took off. She was gone before I even realized it.”

“Then why did you lie to me about not knowing where she was?”

I’m impressed with Sofiya. She used to be so shy. Since marrying Mikhail, she’s grown a quiet strength that’s beautiful to see.

“I never lied,” Gleb responds. “Now, I’m off to bed. It’s been a long night.” He meets my eyes before he walks away.

I’m left feeling chilled to the bone.

Chapter

Eight

VIKTORIYA

I’m still laughing as one of the guards grabs my arm. “What did you do?” he growls in a deep voice. A nasty scar slashes across his face, making him look more ominous.

“I killed him. I fucking killed him.” A high-pitched laugh escapes me. I know I should be terrified. I’m surrounded by guards—guards who want to rape me just like Akim wanted to. But I can only feel satisfaction knowing I killed the bastard who thought he could buy me. He underestimated me.

Most men do.

“Bring her downstairs,” Scar Guard orders, shoving me toward two other men. They grab my arms and drag me to the basement, which is grimy and smells musty. A small cage rests in the middle of the room, and they push me inside. My head bangs against the metal. I don’t even wince. Shock makes me immune to any pain.

They shut the cage door, lock it, and head back upstairs. I know what’s going to happen next. I’m either going to be raped or killed. Maybe even raped, then killed.

I murdered their boss. I spilled blood for the first time.

And I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving myself.

ALEKSANDER

Damien’s club is closed because it’s so early in the morning. “Do you know where he lives?” I ask Mikhail.

“No. He was in hiding for years.”

“He has to be somewhere. Viktoriya went to him before. Maybe she went to him again.”

Mikhail rests his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll find her.”

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