Page 26 of Till Death Saves Me

A grim smile tugs at my lips. "With pleasure, Pakhan."

Lev is on my heels as I head out of the office and down to the main floor. The warehouse is on the south side of the Bronx, and I am already grinding my teeth at the traffic that is going to make me wait to unleash all this anger building.

By the time we arrive, I can hardly see past the red haze clouding my vision. Lev just watches as I stalk toward the bound and gagged man, unleashing on him. I beat him until I feel like I can breathe again, until he is begging for a fucking breath, and I finally calm down enough to grasp onto a little bit of the self control I normally have.

I circle the bound man, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous warehouse. The air reeks of sweat, fear, and a little piss. Asshole got it on my shoes.

My knuckles throb, slick with blood - his and mine. But it does nothing for the anger flooding through me.

"Let's try this again," I say, voice low and deadly calm. "Who sent you after my wife?"

The man's head lolls, one eye swollen shut. Blood trickles from his split lip. He wheezes, struggling to draw breath through broken ribs.

I grab a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back. "I'm losing patience."

From the shadows, Lev shifts. "Maybe he needs more motivation."

I ignore him, focused on my prey. My free hand traces the man's collarbone, coming to rest on a patch of ink peeking above his shirt collar. With a sharp tug, I rip the fabric, exposing a vivid red serpent coiling up his neck.

"Blyad," Lev curses. He's always spoken more Russian than me, and while I understand it, I don't talk it much. "The Red Serpents."

Of course. I should have seen that coming.

I release the captive's hair, wiping my hand on my trousers. "You're in way over your head, boy. The Reds can't protect you now."

Fear flashes in the man's good eye. I've hit a nerve.

"One last chance," I say, leaning close. "Talk, or I start removing fingers."

The warehouse falls silent, save for the man's ragged breathing. I wait, counting heartbeats. One. Two. Three.

He breaks on four right as I go in for the finger.

"Alright!" I tighten my grip. "Alright! The Reds sent me after her."

I lean in close, my breath hot against the captive's ear. "Good. Now tell me why."

He trembles, sweat mingling with blood on his battered face. I can smell the fear rolling off him in waves. Good. He should be terrified.

"I... I can't..." he chokes out.

My fingers twitch toward his hand. "Wrong answer."

"Wait!" he gasps. "Please... They'll kill me."

I grab his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze. "And what do you think I'll do?"

Something in my eyes must convince him. He swallows hard, wincing as the movement aggravates his injuries.

"It was... it was a message," he finally croaks. "From the boss."

My jaw clenches. "Which boss?"

"Volkov," he whispers, the name barely audible.

Beside me, Lev tenses. The Red Serpents' leader. This is worse than we thought.

"Go on," I growl.

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