Page 166 of Merciless Queen

Four crossed off.

One remaining.

Ivan Volkov.

The five people who took everything from me. Who tookher. When Papa hired these men in his fucked-up scheme to create a compliant soldier and son, he actually got a soulless killer. When they hurt her, when my heart was ripped violently from my chest; it was over for them.

Four murders down, and one remaining.

I look up from my phone to the small house. Whenever I’m not in Toronto or working, I’m here. Surrounding myself withmemories of what was and what will never be again. It’s a symbol of goodbye, of the final time my soul shattered.

Before turning away, I reach into the inner pocket of my coat and finger the old ribbon that I’ve never let go of since the day she pressed it into my palm. I like to think it still smells like her, even though all evidence of her ownership has long faded away. It grounds me, having a piece of her always.

I head back to my vehicle parked across the street, my thoughts grim and promising. Painful and bloody.

My father has threatened my girl for the last time.

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