Page 101 of Crown of Hate

Akim’s eyes go wild with anger. Before I can react, his hand is around my throat, yanking me to my knees. “That bastard was not your father! I am! Do you have any idea what kind of monster he was?”

I claw at his arms, gasping for air. “You’re… hurting me…”

“He stole everything from me,” he roars, his grip tightening and his nails digging into my flesh. “He stole your mother from me. He stole you from me. I’m only taking back what’s rightfully mine!”

My veins bulge and my eyes feel like they’ll pop out of their sockets if he doesn’t let me go, but I still manage a strangled laugh. “You’ll never be half the man my papa was, because my papa would never hurt me the way you are.”

Something flickers in his eyes—shame?—and he releases me. I collapse, gulping down air. “You better behave. The sooneryou accept our relationship, the easier it will be. For all of us. Including that brat you’re carrying.”

As he turns to leave, I find my voice again. “Mikhail will find us. And he’ll kill you.”

“That’s if he survives.”

A thunderous bang from downstairs cuts him off. He whirls around, and for the first time, I see fear in those hateful eyes.

I smile. “Told you he’d find us.”

“You stupid whore!” he lunges at me, grabbing a fistful of my hair and dragging me off the bed. Pain explodes across my scalp, but I bite back a cry. “What the hell did you do? How did he find you?”

“A ‘whore’ isn’t a very nice name to call your daughter, Akim,” I muse. “You’ll die here today, and you’ll only be remembered as a man who betrayed his Pakhan. A man who lost everything.”

He laughs—a horrible, unhinged sound—and spins me around, pressing cold metal against my throat. “If I die, you’re coming with me.”

More shots echo downstairs. The acrid smell of gunpowder makes bile rise in my throat.

“You can’t kill me, Akim. I’m your daughter, remember? I’m carrying your grandchild.” Words like this don’t work on a madman, but I try anyway. “If we both die, then you’ll truly be forgotten.”

The gun digs deeper. “I don’t care. You were only ever just bait to win back your mother.”

“She despises you for killing her husband. She would have never come back to you.” I swallow hard, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Let me go, and maybe, just maybe, she’ll forgive you.”

Footsteps thunder up the stairs.

My pulse races in anticipation. My hands are trembling, my knees wanting to buckle.

I hold my breath.

Please be Mikhail. Please. Please. Please.

When the door finally bursts open, Alexei and Mikhail charge in, guns drawn. Relief washes over me, and I release my breath. Mikhail. He’s here.

“Let her go,” Mikhail orders with his gun pointed at Akim.

“I die, she goes with me,” Akim snarls. “I should have killed you right after I killed Ivan.”

“You only have yourself to blame.” Mikhail’s eyes meet mine, and I see his plan. I give a tiny nod. “The only person dying here will be you, Akim.”

Time slows to a crawl. Mikhail’s finger tightens on the trigger, and I stomp my heel on Akim’s foot with all my might and duck. Alexei throws himself forward, shielding me with his body as three shots ring out.

Akim’s body jerks as all three bullets find their mark—two in his chest and one in his head. He spasms for a few seconds before crumpling to the floor with his eyes wide open… light brown eyes that look just like mine…

But they have no light in them now. No life. They’re looking at Mikhail, but they can’t see him. There’s only death and spite left in them. No sorrow or remorse.

Alexei helps me to my feet as Mikhail rushes to my side, cradling my face in his hands. “Are you hurt?”

I shake my head. “I’m fine.” I rub a hand over my stomach. “Our baby too, I think.”

His breathing is labored, and his white shirt is stained with blood that isn’t his. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

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