Page 125 of Cruel Promise

Maxim’s lips turn to a thin line. “That was different, and you know it.”

“Get in line, Dimitri,” I growl. “Now.”

“Or you’ll kill me?”

“I will.”

“Not if I kill you first.” He whips out his own weapon and fires. It all happens so fast that I don’t have time to react. The bullet lands in my arm, sending me staggering back.

Maxim draws his gun and shoots at Dimitri, but his three guards have moved to stand in front of them. He lands a hit to one of the guard’s legs, sending the man to the ground, groaning in pain, but the other two just move into formation. They point their guns at us.

I hold my bleeding arm. It hurts like a son of a bitch. Another scar will be added to the collection.

“You can’t win,” Dimitri taunts. “You’re outnumbered.”

I could shoot, but then I’d get shot again, and I’m not sure I’d survive it. The two remaining guards look terrified. They didn’t sign up for this.

“We should leave,” Maxim says. “You’re hurt. I don’t want to lose my life here.”

I grit my teeth. Dimitri doesn’t deserve to get away with his immature actions, but I know Maxim is right. I, too, don’t want to die in a dance club that stinks of sweaty bodies and alcohol and cigarette smoke.

“This was a warning,” I tell Dimitri. “Next time, I won’t miss.”

“Counting on it, Nik.”

“It’s Nikolai.”

“You know I don’t care.”

Maxim grabs my arm. “Come on.”

Slowly, the two of us back out of the club.

“Next time, I’ll bring more men, and we’ll rain blood on Dimitri.”

Maxim sighs, running a hand down his face. “Nikolai, I don’t want bloodshed. I came here in a support of strength, but Dimitri is a fucking lunatic. Handle him yourself.”

“We’re in this together. For peace. You can’t quit now.”

“I’ll help you make amends with him, but I will not help you kill him.” He gets on his bike and drives away.

“Fuck!” I shout into the night air. Why do I feel like I’m losing everything?

AVA

Nikolai comes back home, covered in blood. It’s starting to become a normal thing, yet it still scares me every time I see it. I care for him, and it’s pointless to pretend I don’t.

He’s grumbling to himself as he heads into the bathroom on the second floor. I follow him into it.

“What happened?”

“Dimitri happened. He shot me.” Nikolai rips off his shirt, exposing his bloody arm. “I tried to end it, but he wasn’t having it.”

“How did you try to end it? By talking to him or …”

He levels a look at me. “By trying to blow his fucking brains out.”

“Nik …”

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