Page 108 of Cruel Honor

I arrive at the warehouse, Maria and Maxim with me. I left Katya back at the motel with the clear instructions to shoot anyone who isn’t us if they come through the door. I didn’t have to tell her how to use a gun. Our father taught her to use one when she was a little girl.

The inside of the warehouse is dank and musty and dirty. Trash is strewn all over the place. Needles are left behind on the ground. Shit that’s clearly human is smeared on the walls.

This place is fucking disgusting. So, what better of a place for Abram?

Maria holds her arms across her chest, whimpering. She reminds me so much of Evie in this moment with her brown hair and sad littleface. I remind myself I’m not a colossal piece of shit. I’m going to give the girl back.

Just not until I shoot her father in the fucking face.

Abram arrives with two guards. “Maria!”

She gasps and tries to run to her father, but I grab her arm, stopping her. “You’ll get your daughter back once you give me my wife. Where is she?”

“She’s waiting outside. You won’t see her until I have my daughter next to me.”

I click my tongue. “You see, Abram, that’s not going to work. Give me Evie back. Now.”

“Not until you give me my daughter back.”

Maria whimpers. “Please. Please.”

I stare down at her scared expression. I did this to her. I made her feel this way.

Maybe I am the monster Evie said I am.

But that won’t stop me from saving her once again.

“Show me Evie, and I’ll consider giving you your daughter back.”

Abram looks down at his feet and begins to chuckle. The sound matches the dirtiness of the room. “You see, I don’t have her.” He lifts his gun, and his two guards do the same.

Maxim has his gun already drawn.

Now, the right thing to do would be to just shoot Abram. But I can’t let him win.

“You’re lying,” I growl.

“No. I’m really not.”

I look at Abram more closely, taking in his gleeful expression. He doesn’t have Evie. So, then, who does?

Fuck. Dima. Who else?

Without hesitating, I press my gun to Maria’s head.

“No!” Abram shouts.

“Then lower your fucking gun and kneel before me. Once you do that, I’ll let your daughter go.” I have to hurry this up so I can find Evie.

I don’t allow myself to even consider the fact that Evie might be dead.

She’s smart. She’ll find a way out of Dima’s clutches. She just has to.

While I have to end this with Abram.

“Please,” Maria cries. “Don’t kill me.”

“Then ask your dad to save you.”

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