Page 123 of Merciless Queen

With a heavy sigh, I lean forward until my head leans on the glass and my breath fogs it up. It was only a month ago I had Vanessa pinned to this exact spot. A month ago I had her under me. I can see the exact place outside when she gambled her life against me telling the truth about the lack of protection here.

The place I kissed her. When I stopped thinking about every reason I shouldn’t and let myself feel. I assumed the moment our lips touched, she’d jerk away. She didn’t and kissed me back.

I gaze up at the moon again, wondering what time it is in Russia, and when Vanessa will be able to stare at the same moon. I also wonder if she does. If she gazes at nature and uses it to calm her mood after a long day before slipping into bed.

I wonder everything about my wife when all I should be doing is picturing shoving her into a box so I no longer have to acknowledge a Volkov.

Another image slips into my mind. This one bloodier and more depressing. Of me kneeling beside my father’s corpse and dragging his head into my lap as we waited for Elio to save the day. Of course, there was no saving the day then, and when I failed at killing Vanessa, I lost yet another chance. When it began a whole journey of dragging her here, all to lose her again. Even my modified plan of bringing Ursin’s legacy to an end isn’t panning out how it should.

God, I suck as a son.I’m so fucking sorry, Padre.

I failed him the day I watched him die.

The day I fucked up killing Vanessa.

The day she walked out of here alive.

The second I kissed her on the lawn, and every minute before then. Every minute after then. Every moment since realizing not only is she her own person and nothing like her father, but Ilikeher. I like the person she is.

And I want to get to know her better.

The callwith Zeno did more than I hoped it would.

It gave me the push to wipe my tears and leave, slamming the warehouse door shut for good. I throw a quick text to soldiers to have them clean up what remains of Boris’ body.

Without looking back, I head for my bike to go home.

Away from the past.

But to not forget it either.

“Are you serious?”My hiss could be heard from clear across the room, given Dimitri’s raised brows. “What do I pay you for?”

Without a goodbye, I jam my thumb against the red button to hang up and drop my cell onto my desk, wishing I owned an old-fashioned phone all to slam my anger down into it.

“Good call?” Dimitri wanders closer as I rub my face, wanting this entire nightmare over with.

Zeno and I might have had a ceasefire the other night, but it doesn’t change what he’s done—what he continues to do.

“The lawyers are fucking useless,” I all but growl, shoving away from my desk. Veles stays in her dog bed, likely sensing my agitation. “Why didn’t we replace them? They’re from Papa’s days, so they’re probably working against me.”

Dimitri pops his hip against my desk and watches me pace back and forth, walking out my frustration. Trying to anyway, but it’s an attempt as silly as trying to walk on water without a boat.

“They’re not working against you. They have no reason tonotbreak the contract. If anything, your Papa’s wishes would be to ensure it happens.”

I grunt, spinning on my heel. “Stop being logical, it’s annoying.Apparently,the contract is beyond airtight. I don’t get how this highly trained duo can’t write me out of a damn documentwithoutgiving up my organization. They’ve been in contact with Zeno’s team, trying to come to a middle ground. Something about a percentage of profits in exchange for divorce.”

Apercentageofmymotherfucking business. My hard work will get gifted to that asshole all because he faked my signature, which apparently there’s no way to actually prove. What I don’t get, is if they can’t prove I didn’t sign it, how can they prove I did? The lawyers are recommending I settle for giving away a “measly”—their words—ten percent, which is ten too much for my liking. It’s all or nothing. Papa would roll over in his grave if he knew the Cosa Nostra was profiting from us.

Dimitri’s expression pinches. “At this point, wouldn’t it be easier to let it go? Be married, live separate lives.”

He didn’t honestly just say— “You’re as crazy as they are.” I gesture to my cell lying upside down on my desk, indicating the lawyers. “You know why I can’t be married.”

“Why’s that?” He crosses his arms, brows lifting with his question. “You’ve known since taking your father’s place thatone day you’ll need an heir, which means making a match. Isn’t Mancini the most convenient option?”

“Mancini willneverbe an option.” Venom drips from my words. “In case you’ve already forgotten, he tricked me. Snuck his way into my life to kill me, kidnapped me, and then forcibly joined me to him. He’s, like, the last option. If all men were gone, he still wouldn’t be my choice.”

Dimitri presses his lips together before conceding with a small shrug. “Alright.”

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