Page 104 of Vitaly

I look at Roman but don’t bother saying anything with the gag in his mouth. There are two guards on either side of me who I can’t imagine would let me speak anyway.

The ballroom doors open, pulling my attention, but still, I don’t look up. Not until I hear the Gruco brother, the one pissed off about Maksim, speak.

“What thefuckis going on, Petrov?”

I lift my head, expecting to see Nikita, but instead, I lock eyes with Mila.

My jaw loosens, and the nails pull on my hands as I let the tension slip from my arms. The pain reminds me to rise straighter and keep my arms lifted, but I never take my eyes off the brave woman with the strong gait walking into the room. Her head is held high, even as fear shines in her eyes.

It isn’t good to see her. I can’t say that. Seeing her here means if I fail, there’s torture to come.

But it’s good to see her alive.

Our lips don’t move as we stare at each other, and I’m flooded with relief for already saying all the words I needed to say. It takes strength not to rip the nails from the board and run to her. Strength to lower my head, slouch my shoulders, lookweak.

But I manage.

Nikita leads Mila to the middle of the room by the back of her neck, to the spot where the crowd forms the hole. They move back to make room as Nikita walks, opening up a gap that gives me a glimpse of what’s inside his mind. What cruelty awaits.

Itisjust a hole. A ring really, made up piles of rocks fifteen feet or so from the center in every direction.

Of course. I don’t know how I didn’t assume it would be this.

When Nikita gets Mila to the center of the circle and forces her onto her knees, he waves for people to move out of the way. Out ofmyway. He gives me a view of her in her white dress on her knees with her jaw clenched and face pissed.

“Guests,” he says with a smile, raising his arms in a greeting as he roams his gaze. “Welcome. I have a special?—”

“Why the fuck did you invite us to this?” Settimo Gruco asks, whipping his hand up.

Nikita’s smile falls slightly, and he clears his throat before straightening his tie. “I invited you to dinner, Settimo. This is my post-dinner entertainment. You Italians are familiar with the custom, yes?”

Settimo just glares.

Nikita smirks. “As I was?—”

“Why is Maksim bound?” the younger Gruco brother, the one who tried to come to Maksim’s aid, growls.

Nikita blinks like he has to think about that. I’m getting the impression that he likes fucking with them as much as he likes fucking with his own people.

“Maksim is a traitor, Anthony,” Nikita says, matter-of-factly. “I’m sorry. You’ll have to make a new friend.”

Anthony’s face reddens, but before he can speak, the brother with the scar over his eye whispers something into his ear.

“Actually, they’re all traitors,” Nikita continues, louder now. “Apparently, some feel that my nephew is better suited to be Pakhan.” He looks directly at Settimo while gesturing to me. “Currently, I don’t find that to be true.”

Several people laugh. I wonder how many do it because they think they’re supposed to.

My eyes find Luka, Mila’s brother, in the crowd. I try to relay an unspoken message with him, but his blank stare never flickers with interest. If he’s bothered by his sister’s upcoming stoning, he doesn’t show it.

“And while I would never punish my dearest nephew due to other’s beliefs, unfortunately, he’s chosen to betray me. Last night, he was caught sneaking around with my fiancée… Tonight is aboutfun, but let it also serve as a reminder of what happens to those who betray me.”

He steps out of the circle and gestures to Alik who picks up a rock. Alik looks at me, a silent signal that it’s time.

“Please, everyone.” Nikita gestures to the stones. “It’s biblical.” Others laugh along as he chuckles.

I grip the nails tight, looking at the guard on my left and then my right. The right is closer. Both are staring at Mila.

Alleyes are on Mila.

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