Page 114 of Sinful Games

?William Makepeace Thackeray

Alexsei

“To what do I owe this pleasure, Romaniev?”

I slid onto the bench beside Sadiek. I stared out at Senezh Lake, where ducks and swans cruised around like they had nowhere better to be.

Spring had come in full force, and I couldn’t be fucking happier. No more damn snow for a year, at least. Flowers were blooming, the sun was out, and the world was alive with bees and birds.

I lit up a cigarette and offered him one. I’d been plotting for months on how to get rid of Sadiek. Two names left on my list: Kristan Mankiev and Slavoy Sadiek. Mankiev waslast on my list—I had a special plan for him, one that involved hours of torture, blood, and screams. But Sadiek? The possibilities were endless, and I hadn’t quite settled on the best way to make him suffer.

“I don’t know, Sadiek. You’re the one who’s been blowing up my phone for weeks,” I exhaled smoke, my eyes drifting to a family of ducks paddling around.

“And you could’ve fucking answered. I thought we were tight, Alexsei, especially after that mess with Leila,” he spat, his tone thick with fake friendship. “You knew I loved her to death, but you still chose to screw her. I even let that slide. That’s what friends do, right?”

“Friends?” I sneered, shooting him a dark look. “I don’t owe you a fucking thing.”

Sadiek’s smirk widened, malice glinting in his eyes. “It’s cute how protective you are of your wife, you know?”

My jaw tightened, fists clenching at my sides. “Don’t you fucking dare talk about her.”

He laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Touchy subject, huh? Maybe she’s not the saint you think she is.”

“Watch your fucking mouth, Sadiek. Or I’ll make sure you never speak again.”

“Did she tell you about us?” He said, taking a drag from his cigarette before flicking it away. “I wouldn’t have touched her if I’d known she’d end up your wife. Funny, really. When Mankiev introduced me to his daughter, he said she was like an oasis in the desert—beautiful and unpredictable. He wasn’t wrong. She had the sweetest fucking pu?—”

I snapped, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the bench. “You fucking piece of shit?—”

He laughed, unfazed. “Gonna make me disappear like you did with the others? I know all about Babikiv and Polanski. Didn’t expect me to be last on your list.”

I gripped him harder, the urge to smash his face in nearly consuming me. But I forced myself to back off, knowing the pleasure of revenge would be sweeter if I took my time.

“You should’ve never crossed me, Sadiek,” I said, stepping back as he gasped for air, still smirking. “You’d better get on your fucking knees and beg for mercy, because what’s coming will make you wish for death to free you.”

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

“If someone puts their hands on you make sure they never put their hands on anybody else again.”

?Malcom X

Alexsei

"Alright," Caia said, ticking off an item from her grocery list before shutting the glass door with a satisfying thud. "Now we need toilet paper, eggs, salmon, and... oh, ice cream!"

"Let me introduce you to a flavor that’ll make you forget that dreadful pistachio crap," I drawled, pushing the cart towards the frozen aisle with an exaggerated flourish. I yanked open the glass door and reached for a tub.

"Pretzel peanut butter ice cream? Who even eats that?" she snorted, eyeing the tub like it was aculinary crime.

"Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, babe. This stuff is like a one-way ticket to heaven," I said, giving her an over-the-top wink before grabbing her chin and planting a smirk-laden kiss on her lips.

She rolled her eyes but tossed the tub into our cart, then fished out her beloved pistachio ice cream, “Just in case.”

Of course.

“So,” I said, trailing her through the aisles as she stopped repeatedly to check off items. “How’s it feel to be the big-brained graduate? Didn’t know my little wife was such a genius, or I’d have locked you down sooner.”

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