Page 118 of Merciless Queen

I blink, returning to the present as I slowly pace forward. It’s fitting to see Boris like this because once, I was the one who was bound when he ignored my every plea.

I can’t wait to repay the favour.

Three rounds. Once wasn’t enough for the sick fucker. Three goddamn times I was forced to feel him inside me, hear his satisfied groan in my ear, endure his hot breath on my neck.

Three rounds. Maybe I’ll do the same. Maybe I’ll manage to keep him alive for four. Or, double it and make it six.

I stand in front of the man who took two years of my life. Two years of hunting him all comes down to this moment.

And I feel nothing.

Absolutely nothing as I stare at the older version of my assaulter. His hair is receded and lighter in colour. His skin shows signs of stress and age. Wrinkles line his eyes, which in my memory only had one look in them: cruelty.

I drag a chair over from where they’re stored by the corner, not bothering to lift it. Metal against cement makes a similar sound to nails on a chalkboard, but unfortunately, the drugs are too strong and keep him knocked out.

I position the chair two feet away and drop onto the metal seat, crossing my arms and legs to wait him out.

After all these years, I’ll be waiting as long as it takes.

His awakening is a bit disappointing.If he’s frightened, he hides it well, as he straightens his head, gaze quickly darting around the empty warehouse before centring on me. He stares for a moment before blinking in recognition, his grin slow and malicious, reminding me of when he approached the bed all those years ago.

“My oh my, Miss Volkov. Look how grown up you are. Took your papa’s place and everything.”

“You don’t seem shocked to be here.”

He watches me stand and drag my chair off to the side. “Since your father’s death, I knew it was only a matter of time before you came for me.”

“Fear is a sign of guilt.”

His dark gaze surveys me up and down, his lips picking up in the corner. “That night was worth it. As were all the others. You’re the only one to follow through on her death threats, mind you, but you’re also the only one with the means to do so.”

Back then, this was all a fever dream I never thought would come true. He’s alluding to more girls, reminding me of a comment he made then too.

Keeping my tone casual, I tuck my bangs behind my ear to better see him. See how he reacts when responding. “Should I be jealous there were others before me?” Even saying it makes my swallow sour but for now, I’ll play along.

Boris lifts one frail shoulder in a half-shrug. “And after. You’d be surprised what men will give up for a good deal. Their daughters’ first times, for one.”

Biting the inside of my cheek, I ask the question I really don’t want to know the answer to, but being compelled to have all the facts. “What was the youngest?”

He hums, looking to the side. “Ten, I believe.”

“Bol'noy ublyudok.”

He smirks. “Depends your definition of a—what’d you refer to me as?—a ‘sick fucker’? If you’re planning on succeeding as Pakhan, you need tougher skin, Vanessa.”

Hearing my name in his mouth makes my skin crawl.

“How I hear it,” he continues, “is you’re not tough at all. You dismantled your papa’s empire. He was a king in the skin trade, and now the Bratva’s a joke.”

After years of dealing with Ivan’s insults, everything Boris says slides right off me. Maybe once, his comments would have bothered me, but now, they mean nothing.He’snothing.

“What’d you give the Cosa Nostra in exchange for hiding you?”

His mouth parts in anahmotion. “It’s a shame they handed me over. Money, to answer your question. I was made aware of the longstanding rivalry between the Bratva and the Cosa Nostra and reached out. Brokered a deal for a place in their territory, assuming you’d never think to look there. Damn traitors.” He mumbles the last part.

“Do your homework better next time, Boris.” My casual use of his name takes away some of his power. “The people you paid isn’t the one my family’s been at war with. In fact, I only found you because of my enemies. Funny how life works out.”

He looks down, licking his bottom lip, his eyes a mask when he finds me again. “Well, Miss Volkov, it’s a shame it’s come to this. After all, women are usually much more forgiving in business.”

---