Page 75 of Macon

Leaning onto the table, Viktoriya clasps her hands together. “I would like to talk to you about it…” She pauses, looking at all the men surrounding Izzy before continuing, “I was just informed that my brother, Kirill, took you.”

Redman leans forward and is about to speak, but Viktoriya’s hand pops up, points to all of us men, and says, “Nyet! This conversation is between,” she moves her fingers from us to her and Izzy, “Isabella and me. Yes?” She glances around at all of us men before finishing, “Please do not interrupt. The longer this conversation goes, the longer you wait to see Raydene.”

Izzy doesn’t back down. She leans forward, places her forearms on the table, and replies, “Yes, Kirill told me he took me to punish Dom. That I turned Dom into a pussy.”

Viktoriya’s eyes snap back to Izzy like a cat spotting its prey.

“Tell me what happened from when you were taken until you were rescued.”

Izzy looks around, puzzled. “You don’t know? Aren’t you responsible for all of us being taken?”

Izzy’s confidence rises as her shoulders straighten slightly. “I don’t understand. You didn’t know Kirill took me? That he killed Dominic because of me?”

Viktoriya’s face goes from shocked to furious. I lean forward, ready to take her out if she makes a move for Izzy.

Viktoriya senses the men move and puts her hands up. “Nyet. I am here to find out information for my father. I am not here to harm anyone. That’s why I’m here.”

Izzy looks around and grabs the phone to look at it and sees Raydene on the screen. She holds the phone to Viktoriya and says, “Bring her here, and I will tell you everything and everyone who was involved. How your brother killed Dom and what they did with the body.”

Viktoriya sits back in her chair, observing the room.

Everyone goes for their gun when she pops up out of her chair. Viktoriya holds her hand up in surrender and says, “Wow. Easy, boys. Let me go get her. I need a minute.”

We watch as she moves toward the door, her hands still up in surrender. Chiv opens the door to let her out, but Viktoriya stands under the threshold and snaps her perfect acrylic nails.

Viktoriya looks back at all of us and says, “You all know who I am, yes? So, if anything happens to me or my men, all of Russia will be brought down on you.”

Shy and Wolfe give her a nod. On the TV screen, I can see two men emerge from the SUV. With them, they pull out Raydene, who’s bound, blindfolded, and gagged.

Blink, who is outside, moves toward Raydene, but Viktoriya snaps, “Nyet.”

Viktoriya turns in the doorway and says to everyone, “Again, I am not responsible for her or her sister’s abduction. I’m here trying to figure out what happened to my cousin,” she states with her hands up, still in surrender.

When the two men approach Viktoriya with Raydene, one man releases Raydene and hands her to Viktoriya. Leo stands behind Raydene, holding her up.

Viktoriya faces Raydene and fumbles with something around her ears. She leans in and whispers into Ray’s ear.

Raydene’s body stiffens. Viktoriya slides her hand behind Ray’s neck, grabbing a handful of hair before turning to all of us. Raydene whimpers.

I stand up, furious she’s hurting her. Leo stands behind Raydene with his hands around her throat, ready to snap it. I don’t move but don’t back down.

Viktoriya laughs the most wicked laugh. “Okay. Here’s what’s going to happen. I will give you Raydene.”

Viktoriya’s hand tugs Raydene’s hair, ultimately snapping her head back.

Raydene cries out in pain.

“As long as Isabella and I have at least five minutes alone.”

Shy and Wolfe stand up. “No!”

Viktoriya shakes her head, taking a few more steps dragging Raydene, who hasn’t tried fighting at all.

Izzy stands up and moves toward Viktoriya, but Redman grabs her arm. She turns and looks him in the eyes and says, “I’ve got this. She needs to know.”

Redman clenches his fist but doesn’t say anything.

Izzy turns to all of us. “Let her give Raydene to you. Viktoriya and I will sit right there,” she points to the bar where Maze is standing, “alone. No one will hurt anyone.”

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