Page 110 of All Your Hate

“Whatever you actually want just spit it out already,” I say impatiently.

“Don’t be so aggressive. I have a task for you.”

Looking around I spot two other people in the lot. A guy in a suit heads into the building behind us and a tall woman with herback to us is unlocking her car. I move closer to Dmitri so no one can overhear us and say, “I’ve killed everyone you’ve asked of me so far, I’m working through the security team with Wynter. What more could you possibly want?”

“There’s a property uptown. It’s too costly for your father right now. But if something were to happen to the owner then perhaps the stocks would go down and your father can snatch it up for me.”

“What place?”

“A casino. He and his family live in a cozy little townhouse. Get rid of them all for me and I’ll discuss the sale of the property with your father myself.”

“Keep him out of this,” I say in a low deadly tone.

“Noah. The only way he’ll be out is if he’s no longer running this place.” Dmitri spreads his arms out. “Either persuade him to step down or kill him yourself to acquire your throne. Your choice. Until then, I will keep doing business with him my way.”

The urge to choke this man until I feel his neck snap is overwhelming, but I manage to resist it. “Fine. I’ll do it. Just give me the address,” I say gruffly.

“I’ll have it sent. Oh, one more thing. I want everyone in the house dead apart from the girl.”

My stomach tightens.

Girl?“I’m not doing anything if it involves a kid.”

“She’s sixteen. Hardly a child. Make sure you don’t damage her too much and drop her off at Lakeview when you’re done.”

“No.” There’s no fucking way I’m giving him a teenager. I refuse to give him anyone. Killing is one thing, but human trafficking? I’d rather die than put anyone through that.

Dmitri cocks a brow as he stares me down. When I don’t budge on my decision he sighs and gets his phone out. Holding it up, he shows me a photo of Wynter sat in the passenger seat of my carwith a bright smile on her face. “Do I really need to remind you why you have to do this?”

I’m left winded by his words. His threats to hurt Wynter hit worse than any physical harm he could throw my way.

Grabbing him by the collar, I thrust him back against the car. “I could kill you right here,” I tell him. “Snap your neck.”

His eyebrow twitches and for a second I think I have him then he bursts into laughter. “You really think killing me will end this for you? I thought you were smarter than this, Noah. If my men don’t see me after this little rendezvous with you, who do you think they'll come to for revenge?”

I wish I could call his bluff, but whoever his boss is could be worse than him. I can’t risk it. Not until I have something I can use as leverage. For now I have to keep playing by his rules.

With a reluctant sigh, I let him go and say, “I’ll do it.”

Lingering in the bedroom doorway, I take a moment to admire Wynter as she sits in front of the mirror and stares at the makeup on the dresser.

The little red dress she’s wearing is perfection on her. “You look stunning, my love.”

She startles as she looks over at me and I see tears shining in her eyes. My heart sinks to my stomach.

Does she know?

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I know tonight's all planned out, I’m sorry I’m not ready yet.”

Crouching down next to her I wipe a runaway tear from her cheek. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Luka will wait as long as we need. I’ll be by your side the whole night so there’s no needto worry about anything.” That doesn't seem to help her at all. “Tell me what’s bothering you so much.”

“I want to wear makeup,” she blurts out.

“You don’t need to wear any—”

“Don’t give me all that crap about I’m pretty enough without it.”