Page 79 of Bratva Butcher

Dominik’s head hung forward in what I could only deduce as shame.

That wouldn’t work for me at all.

I stopped in front of him and placed a hand on his shoulder as if I was offering comfort. “Dominik.” I softened my voice, giving off the illusion I cared.

He raised his head. I waited until his eyes were locked with my own, and then I plunged the knife hidden behind my back deep into his heart.

Shock registered across his face, a pain-filled gasp falling from his lips.

I smiled, evil and sinister.

“I wantmyface to be the last thing you see,” I whispered, dangerously low. “For you to know that your last desperate attempt to beat me…failed.” I twisted the blade deeper, and he choked, blood slipping out of the side of his mouth and down his chin.

I wished I had the time to savour the kill. To truly enjoy it. I had envisioned the moment hundreds of times. I wanted him to suffer. To beg. To cry.

But there just wasn’t enough time.

“Svidimsya v adu, brat.” See you in hell, brother.I ripped out the knife, flipped it into a reverse grip and ran the sharp edge of the blade across his throat.

Blood poured out, running down his front and drenching his clothes. He fell to the ground, crumpling like a piece of paper.

I stared down at him, sure some emotion was about to smack me in the face. Regret? Sorrow? Grief?

I felt nothing but pure satisfaction.

Finally.He’s dead—

Bang!

I spun, my eyes frantically moving around the arena.

That sounded like a gunshot.

A million thoughts streaked through my head at once. Where did that come from? Who was shooting? Who got shot? Had Talon finally had enough of this stupid farce and decided to just pick us off one by one?

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I crouched to one knee, searching desperately for my children through the sea of bodies around me. That was when I noticed Lukyan running towards Illayana, and any of Talon’s men who got even remotely close to him wound up with a bullet to the head.

Someone is protecting him?

The glint of metal out in the distance, high above the stands confirmed what I already suspected. There was a sniper up there, and they were protecting Lukyan.

What was going on? Was it a rescue?

I didn’t have time to waste thinking about it. I had to keep fighting. I had to make my way back to my children. Where was Autumn?

Did I care where Autumn was?

No.

Yes.

Oh, fucking hell.

Even as I tried to deny it to myself, I knew I was full of shit because as I searched for my children, there was a small part of me that was looking for her too.

I’d been so consumed with getting my revenge I’d failed to keep an eye on anyone.