Page 6 of Kings of Violence

So I keep silent, and I let the men guide me toward the door.

Ma is sobbing, and I glance at her before we leave the room.

At least she’s alive.

TWO

Sierra

The Russians’mansion isn’t that much different from Ma’s home. It’s on the other end of the city outskirts, a good hour’s drive away, but at the end of the day, it’s a rich gated community with lavish houses in all directions, spread out across far too many acres of land.

The driver parks the car inside the large, 10-car garage. Nikolai’s arm around my shoulder tightens while Kotya gets out, as if he thinks I’ll be stupid enough to try to bolt.

“You don’t have to restrain me,” I say, irritated. “I already agreed to help you.”

Nikolai grins at me. “Yeah. You agreed. But you could be having all sorts ofthoughts,” he emphasizes the word, “that could get you into trouble. We wouldn’t want that, would we? Now come on.” He gets out of the car, gripping me tight and pulling me with him. “Come along,zaya.”

I get out of the car, refusing his offered hand, and he chortles. I hate that I’m providing so much amusement to him, but I’m no damsel in distress, and I’m not going to act like one.

I promised obedience. I didn’t promise I’d roll over and turninto someone I’m not. I’m done doing that. Still, going along with them will make things easier.

Or so I hope.

Kotya glances at me, then to Nikolai. He says something to Nikolai in Russian.

Whatever it was, it can’t have been good for me, because Nikolai grins widely. “Da,” he answers.

I know that one, at least.Yes. Whatever Kotya had said, Nikoklai likes the idea of it.

Kotya looks back at me. “You are willing to do anything for your dearmamasha, yes?”

I tense, not liking the sound of that at all. “Yes,” I say warily. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to just…” But I amjustgoing to do what they want because I promised, because I don’t want anything to happen to me or her.

My mother’s been through enough heartache.

Kotya strokes his beard and nods. “Then we will start tonight. We will test how far you will go.” He heads into the house, leaving the door open for us.

Nikolai grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “You heard the man, zaya. Let’s go.”

“What does that word mean?” I ask, resisting the urge to try to pull free from his grasp.

Nikolai grins at me. “Little rabbit,” he replies. “But you’re going to be a properly cowed rabbit, aren’t you? Not one who tries to hop away at the first sign of trouble?”

I clench my jaw. “I’m not a little rabbit.”

“We’ll see,” Nikolai says, and there’s something ominous in his voice as he starts to lead me inside. He nods to one of the men guarding the door, speaking to them in rapidfire Russian. All I recognize is when he says “Winters,” and I hate the idea that they’re talking about me, let alone in a language I don’t know.

The two guards exchange a look, their eyes going curiously to me. “Da,” the taller of the two says.

Satisfied, Nikolai continues to manhandle me along.

The place is decorated with a lot of marble. Even my father hadn’t gotten an entire marble wall just as a decorative piece. If you want to show off how rich you are, though, I guess this is one way to do it.

We go through a long hall and towards a set of stairs that lead down.

I tense.

Basements are never a good sign. Sure, it could’ve just been a totally conventional rec room.

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