Page 4 of Kings of Violence

“There’s nothing in there,” I say. “It’s just to keep us safe during… during…”

During intrusions.

Kotya lets out a rumbling laugh. “Not very safe then.”

It would’ve been safe if we’d made our way inside, but there’s no point in saying that.

I’m torn between telling them that we should expect company any minute, backup from the men or from Silvano Cresci himself, and letting them be here to get caught. That would lead to more gunshots, though, and the potential that my mother and I could be hurt.

“More men will be on the way,” I blurt out. “Cresci’s men.”

I can only hope he’s scared off by the name of one of New Bristol’s most prominent mafia dons, but somehow, I don’t think it’s going to be that effective.

Kotya laughs even louder. “Him? He can’t afford to piss me off.” He squeezes my wrist even more tightly. “Nikolai, did you find anything?”

“Nothing obvious,” Nikolai says, turning back to look at us. “Well. I found something.” His eyes rake up and down my body, and he smiles wolfishly. “Something worth taking, maybe? She isn’t worth as much as the weapons, but…”

“Just leave Ma alone, and I’ll come quietly,” I say in a hurry, ignoring my mother’s choked sound of protest.

“Sierra, no,” Ma whispers. “Please, she’s my only child!”

I’d almost laugh about that lie, if we weren’t in this situation.

Kotya lifts my wrist, forcing me to rise up on my tiptoes. He peers at me, and I get a very close look at his deep green eyes.

“Your father owes us,” he says darkly. “And you’re being uncooperative.”

“I-I’m not!” I sputter, unable to hide my indignation. “I can’t tell you what I don’t know, and I can’t give you what I’m not hiding! We told you, the FBI took everything. There’s nothing left.”

Kotya looks at Nikolai. “What do you think?”

Nikolai shrugs. “I think there’s no fucking way they don’t have things hidden away somewhere, but I also think dear ol’ Pa didn’t tell the dumb bitches anything.”

I bristle at being called a dumb bitch—fuck, it’s all too familiar, after the past few months with James—and despite the pain in my wrist, despite how stupid it is, I move to elbow Kostya hard. He stops me, of course, which only wounds my pride even more.

I’m not a dumb bitch, but I am apparently a very helpless one. Great.

“All right. Tell the men to keep searching.” Kotya wraps a hand around my neck, squeezing just enough that I whimper. “She’s very pretty. Worth a few assault rifles, maybe.”

My mind goes back to another Russian gangster I’d met, a younger man with long hair and decked out in leather. He’d said Russians treated their women with respect, but I should have known it was all lies to impress me.

Men are the same the world over.

“Let go of her!” Ma says, though the words might be more impressive if her voice wasn’t shaking so badly. “Please, she’s the only child I have left. Don’t hurt her.”

I grit my teeth. Now isn’t the time to remind her that Kyran fucking exists, or to bring up family drama. I’d let her try to negotiate with them, for all the good it’ll do, but this is just dragging things out more.

Nikolai chuckles. “You think Cresci’s men are really coming? Or is the little rabbit lying?”

“We’re under his protection,” I state with more confidence than I feel.

“Like I said. I’m not worried about Cresci.” Kotya runs his thumb over my lower lip, but his gaze is on Nikolai again. “If we find nothing, we kill them all. Let everybody know what happens to those who anger Konstantin Voronkov.”

I giggle, a mixture of fear and nervous laughter. He sounds exactly like my father had whenever he’d gone on his tirades.“Sorry,” I say, laughter bubbling up from my throat despite the dire situation. “I’m just… I’m sorry.”

“Sierra!” Ma hisses.

“Something funny, zaya?” Nikolai asks, and he grabs my mother by the shoulder, gripping her tight enough for her to let out a pained little cry.

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