Page 64 of Cruel Promise

That works just fine for me.

I nod at Dimitri. “Good. Let’s burn the place to the fucking ground.”

Normally, I’d send men to do my dirty work. I don’t need to be associated with any crime. But Maxim pissed me off, and I want him to see it’s me punishing him. I want him to see it on my face that he should never have gotten involved with Ava.

I’m still angry with Dimitri for taking Ava to his club, but one problem at a time. Right now, Dimitri is beneficial, and until he loses his usefulness to me, I’ll keep him around.

We get out of the car and walk straight into the clubhouse. Men are situated around tables and couches, drinking beers and playing pool, flirting up women and making bets. They don’t notice me or Dimitri until it’s too late.

We don’t hesitate to start shooting everyone up.

There are screams and cries and shouts, and finally, the bikers begin shooting back.

I dive behind the bar, Dimitri next to me. It’s déjà vu from before when I their previous president, Lev.

The screams and cries of pain fill the air. We shot down a lot of the bikers, probably at least ten of them before they started firing back.

But I know I didn’t get Maxim. He’s still alive.

And then I hear him.

“Come out, Nikolai. I wanted peace, but you just declared war.”

I stand up with my weapon drawn. He has his own gun raised, pointed right at me. Dimitri rises as well. A wicked grin is on his face. He doesn’t even need to be a part of this fight, but he wants to be. Crazy bastard.

Maxim huffs. “You really think two men can take down an entire chapterhouse? I have ten men to your two.” He nods behind him where more of his uninjured men have gathered. Blood covers the ground. Dead bodies lay everywhere.

I knew Dimitri and I would be outnumbered. I didn’t care when coming here. My main mission was to show Maxim he’ll never find peace with me.

“I could so easily shoot you between the eyes right now,” I say.

Maxim clenches his jaw. “So, then, why don’t you?”

“Because it would be too easy. I want you to know I’m the one who burned your entire clubhouse to the ground.”

“What do you—” He’s cut off by an explosion.

The top of the building crumbles as fire fills the room.

“Did you honestly think I didn’t bring backup?” I say to Maxim, who stares at me with wide eyes.

The fire begins to spread throughout the room, covering the men who are already dead. Soon, other men will die. They’ll burn inside.

“You’ll die in here with us,” Maxim says.

“No. We won’t.”

Because right then, more of my men arrive, shooting bullets into the room. Maxim dives for the ground as Dimitri and I hunker back behind the bar.

Dimitri laughs. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time!”

I just stare at him and shake my head.

My men’s footsteps enter the clubhouse as they gun down more of the bikers. Smoke fills the air. I need to get out soon before I die. That would defeat my whole purpose.

I charge for the door and don’t look back. It’s not until I’m outside that I turn around and watch the building collapse and burn.

My men come running out.

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