Page 134 of All Your Hate

I circle around the hall towards Dmitri.

He looks different than I remember. Less intimidating. In reality, he’s just a man wearing too much hair gel and a fancy suit.

He’s watching Daniella closely as she talks about her late husband’s achievements. Probably curious as to why he’s been invited here. His eyes start to wander and he picks Noah out of the crowd, his brow furrowing as he says something to the men next to him.

When they walk away I know this is my chance. Taking a deep breath I stand shoulder to shoulder with him. “You’re not welcome here.”

Raising a brow he looks me up and down. Smug entitlement drips off him like it did that night, but I know it’s all an act now. Everything Dmitri portrays is fake.

“Gregory is an old friend. I hear you are quite acquainted with his son.” Giving me a mocking laugh, he adds, “He’s put a lot of money into getting you to look like you belong here, but you still smell like a whore to me. I’m more welcome here than you are.”

Keeping my eyes on the stage I say quietly so only he can hear, “You should be disgusted with yourself for what you’ve done.”

“I did nothing to you.”

I scoff. “Just because you didn’t rape me yourself doesn’t mean you did nothing. You took me. Stole me. Ruined me.” I know I’m getting too worked up, but being this close to him is bringing it all back.

As angry as Dmitri makes me, I know he's just a heartless man. Not a monster or a devil. If he didn’t have his money I’m sure he’d be a nobody. It makes the thought of killing him that much more enticing.

“What do you want, little girl?” Dmitri gives me a bored sigh as he adjusts his cufflinks.

“A deal.”

He chuckles. “You want to make a deal with me? Go on then you’ve piqued my interest.”

“Pull your money and leave Noah and Gregory alone.”

“And why would I do that?” He leans in close. His warm breath fanning my ear, the smell of alcohol invading my senses, making the darkness start to creep in at the edges. I push it back and step away from him.

“Noah has wiped any record of his father’s involvement with you. If one of your establishments was to get raided then only you and your men would go down for it.”

His expression darkens and he stares me directly in the eye, trying to scare me into calling my bluff. But I have nothing to hide.

“I know someone like you will get out of jail easily. I’m sure Vyronov would find a way to get you off the charges.”

He tenses at the mention of his supposed boss.

“Noah won’t go to the police as long as you pull out of his life," I add.

“I’m not stupid. You’re playing me and I won’t be fooled that easily.” He starts to walk away and I grab his arm.

Bile swims in my stomach, its contents threatening to spew on his expensive suit. When he stops I squeeze his bicep. “I’ll sweeten the deal.”

“I can have pussy whenever I want. What makes yours so special?” He raises a thick brow at me.

“Let me show you. It can be just the two of us. Noah won’t find out. I’ll do whatever you want, just leave him and his father alone.”

“You’re too much trouble.” Shrugging me off him he hurries away from me out of the room.

Fuck. That was supposed to work. Thinking on my feet I rush after him into the empty corridor.

“Fine. I’ll tell you the truth.”

That gets his attention. He stops and turns to me, a menacing glare on his face.

“That may have been Noah’s plan. To call the cops on you. But he doesn’t know I’m speaking to you now. As much as I want to help him I want to help my sister more. Give her back to me and I’ll make sure Noah does everything you want. He’ll listen to me more than he will you. I’ll have him do your bidding. There’ll be no need for bloodshed. I just want my sister back.” I threaten to put on the waterworks for the last part. Tears brimming in my eyes. It’s not entirely false.

He seems to buy my desperation. Stepping away from me he gets his phone out and calls someone. He speaks to them in Russian and I try to focus on picking anything out.

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