Page 25 of Vitaly

Nothing.

Not a T-shirt, toothbrush, nor a spare sock in this place.

Nikita appears in the doorway just as I make my way to the clothes. The note he left me only says one word.

Sorry.

Sorry?

Did he know Nikita would kill me for this? Is that what he’s sorry for?

I doubt it. I doubt he even truly cares.

He destroyed my life then came back nine years later to finish the job.

“You let him get away.” Nikita’s voice is low and menacing as he stares into an empty dresser drawer. He slowly turns his head toward me.

I drop my attention to the jacket I wore last night and search the inside pocket for the money I picked up, grasping at something to ease his anger, remind him of my usefulness. When I find the envelope, I pull it out with a tiny gasp and turn his way.

“We can find him,” I say, holding up the envelope. “He didn’t find the cash from last night, and he told me his resources were limited. He won’t be able to make it far.”

“He left an envelope full of cash on the kitchen counter,” Alik pipes in, creeping closer. “That wasn’t an accident.” He takes the envelope from my hand and peeks inside at the cash. When he meets my eyes, I force myself not to shrink away. “He didn’t miss this either.” He holds up the envelope. After peering downto read the note, his eyes move back to me in a knowing stare. “What are you not telling us?”

“Do you know where he is?” Nikita asks, his nostrils flaring as he stalks closer.

“No.” I shake my head vigorously. “Pakhan, you know I would tell you?—”

“The only thing I know is that you’re one disappointment after another.” He takes my hair to yank my ear to his lips, pulling a squeak from me. “I’ll give you one opportunity to tell me the truth… Where is Vitaly?”

“I don’t know,” I groan, my voice trembling with fear. “I swear, I amloyal, Pakhan. You know me.”

His hand winds my hair so tight, I clench my eyes shut at the sting.

“Wrong answer.”

Nikita shoves me to the floor where I catch myself on my elbows, bruising them along with the rest of me.

I roll over to meet Nikita’s eyes, to beg for his forgiveness, but I know it’s too late. I’ve seen him like this. I’ve watched him kill so many others for the crime of being weak, and I begged him to give me the chance to show him I was strong.

He gave me the chance. I failed. This is my punishment.

He looks at Alik and nods, giving him the go-ahead to kill me. I shift my body to Alik, my eyes dancing around his blank face. “Alik,please,” I beg, shaking my head as he closes in on me. He slips a knife from his pocket then pulls me onto my knees by my hair, holding the blade to my throat.

I suck in breaths through my nose as my eyes close, and I focus on relaxing my body, focus on letting the fight go.

I will not die crying or squirming. I won’t die a coward.

When Alik bends to my ear, I flinch at his warm breath, expecting the knife to move at any moment.

“Tell me why he came back,” Alik whispers, his voice so low, I’m not sure Nikita can hear. “Why does he want to help you? Tell me and I’ll fight for you.”

I swallow bile, the knife so close to my neck, I feel it as my throat contracts.

Why does Vitaly want to help me?

What did he say?

I’m the last thing his father gave him, and he wants to honor that.

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