Page 49 of Till Death Saves Me

IVAN

Ican't stop thinking about Virginia. The woman who's consumed my every waking thought since I held her in my arms after the rescue. I'm at work, surrounded by my men, but my mind's back home with her.

I wanted to take more time off to be there with her. Fuck, I just want to be buried inside of her, see her alight with pleasure and feel that she is okay. I can't seem to sate this need I have for her. It's all-consuming, and I have to fight not to get a damn erection while around all my men.

I pull up the cameras on my phone for the hundredth time today. There she is, curled up on the couch with a book. Safe. Mine.

"Boss?" One of my guys interrupts my reverie. "We're ready."

I nod, pocketing my phone. It's time to focus. Time to make those Red Serpent fuckers pay for touching what's mine.

The warehouse is dimly lit, the air thick with anticipation. Three new men — ones that weren't killed during the process of me getting the girls out — are tied to chairs, bruised and bloodied from their initial "questioning." But that was just the warm-up.

I approach the first one, cracking my knuckles. "You took my wife," I say, my voice eerily calm. "Big mistake."

Without warning, I drive my fist into his gut. He wheezes, doubling over as far as his restraints allow. I grab a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back.

"Every second she was afraid, you'll feel tenfold."

I work methodically, alternating between precision strikes and brutal force. Ribs crack under my fists. Fingers snap like twigs. I rip out nails and teeth, smash his nose, and slice through one of his eyes shallowly enough that he'll live. I relish every scream, every plea for mercy.

But I'm not done. Not even close.

I move to the next one, pulling out my knife. The blade glints in the low light as I trace it along his cheek.

"You know what I do to men who threaten my family?"

I don't wait for an answer. The knife plunges into his thigh, twisting as he howls in agony. Blood pools on the concrete floor, but I barely notice. All I can see is Virginia's face, terrified and alone because of these bastards.

So I twist the blade, letting it wreck his leg before I start snapping bones. I love the feel of it under my hands as I shatter him bone by bone, not even bother with any other weapon.

By the time I reach the third man, he's shaking, piss running down his leg. Pathetic. I lean in close, my voice a low growl.

"You're going to wish for death long before I'm done with you."

Hours pass. The warehouse echoes with screams and the sickening crunch of bones. My hands are slick with blood, but I don't stop. Can't stop. Every blow, every cut, every broken bone is for her. For Virginia.

When it's finally over, I stand amidst the carnage, chest heaving. The men are barely recognizable, broken and bloodymasses of flesh. But it's not enough. It will never be enough for what they put her through.

I turn to my men, who've been watching silently. "Clean this up," I order. "And send what's left to the Red Serpents. Let them know what happens when they fuck with what's mine."

As I walk out, I pull out my phone again. Virginia's still on the couch, safe and sound. My beautiful, fierce wife. I'm coming home to her, and God help anyone who tries to stand in my way.

I slam the warehouse door behind me, the metallic clang echoing through the night. My hands are still sticky with blood, my knuckles raw and throbbing. But I don't give a shit about the pain. All I can think about is getting home to Virginia.

As I stride towards my car, I spot a familiar figure leaning against it. Lev. What the fuck is he doing here?

"The hell you want?" I growl, not slowing my pace.

Lev straightens up, his eyebrows raised. "Well, well. Aren't we in a mood?"

I reach for my car door, but Lev doesn't budge. "Move," I snarl.

"You know, Ivan," Lev says, his tone casual but his eyes sharp, "I've known you for a long time. And in all those years, I was the one known for the piss poor temper. You were always more level-headed."

"Spit it out or get the fuck out of my way," I snap, my patience wearing thin.

Lev barks out a laugh, pointing at me. "That! Right there! That's exactly what I mean." His grin is infuriating. "You're completely undone, my friend. And we both know why."

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