Page 85 of Vitaly

“You’re right, ????. I did say that. But you forgot onetinydetail, my love…” He pinches his finger and thumb together. “You were supposed to tell me what he was planning. You earned his trust, but I’m afraid you’ve lostmine.”

My gaze flicks to my family, and when I go back to Nikita, he’s smiling. He knows what I’m thinking.

Is he going to kill them? Or are they here to watch me die?

“I didn’t know what he was planning until this morning, Pakhan. I was going to tell you as soon as possible.” I clear the anxiety from my throat and sit up like this isn’t a trial and I’m not on death row. “The Italians… They’ve offered to lend him a hand in taking out you and your supporters. That was why he met with Alexa Volcov. He—he has another meeting with them happening soon. I can find out tonight.”

Nikita’s teeth show as he grins.

Sweat forms on my forehead even as my hands feel cold as ice. “I know you saw the surveillance in Vitaly’s room last night. That should show my loyalty, Pakhan. I panicked when he asked me if I wanted him to become Pakhan. I wanted to come to your room right away, but it was late, and I needed to wrap my head around how to tell you everything I knew. I am loyal to you,always.”

Nikita’s brows pinch at my mention of last night, and the sick smile he sports falls as he glares at me. It takes me several seconds to process his anger. If I wasn’t sweating with fear, I wouldn’t need that long.

Nikita would never be angry about me being with Vitaly because he doesn’t care about me. He only owns me, and if hurting me hurts Vitaly, he’ll do that gleefully.

He’s angry because I just confused him, gave him something he didn’t know when he thought he knew everything. When his glare slowly moves to Alik, I follow his lead.

Alik stares at me with a wrinkle between his brows like he’s confused. Like he has no idea what I’m talking about.

Like he isn’t the one who told Nikita about my betrayal.

Pain curls my stomach as I turn to look at my father who still won’t face me. His jaw is tight, his lip slightly curled.

He’s disgusted. Not with Nikita. Never with Nikita. But always with me.

My lips part as betrayal surges through me, tearing off pieces of my heart that make me hunch forward in pain.

Nikita clears his throat and seems to collect himself while I slowly break apart in my chair. “Well, Mila, as you know, I’m a merciful man, and I’ve always cared very deeply for you.” He walks to me and lifts my chin so I’m forced to look at him. “So I’m going to choose to believe you,” he says, his voice soft and reassuring. He smiles like a kind, generous master, and I wonder if he thinks I’ll return it with gratitude.

I can’t.

I fucking hate him.

For so many reasons, the biggest being what he’s done to my family. The image he’s given my father of me. The way he pokes and prods at it, inviting my father here just so he can see me reprimanded.

“Does that make you happy, ?????”

“Yes, Pakhan,” I grind without hesitation.

He smiles wide and pets my head. “Good. I want you to be happy more than I want anything in the world, my beautiful girl.” He stands up straight and takes a deep breath. When hepulls out his knife, I tense, my eyes locking onto it while my lungs stop.

“As she says, Mila hasalwaysbeen loyal to me,” he says, turning to my father. “So if what she says is true, it means the information you’ve given me is false… And I do not tolerate liars in my organization.”

My father’s eyes widen as he looks between Nikita and the knife. “What?”

“Don’t be a coward, Fyodor. Stand up.”

My mouth is frozen open for seconds before I’m finally able to speak. It isn’t until my father stands, confusion clear on his face, that words form.

“Don’t!” I jump to my feet, my hand outstretched like I’ll grab the knife, but I’m feet away.

Nikia turns to me, his brow raised. “What is it, dear?”

“Don’t.” I shake my head slowly with my hands up, trying to ease a wild bear. “Please. Kill me instead.”

Nikita rears back, but it’s only mock surprise. I’m taking every step he wants me to take. People always do.

“Kill you instead? Why would I do that?”

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