Page 49 of Beautiful Agony

"Please," he begs, voice cracking. "I can get half by Friday. My dad's got some antiques upstairs?—"

"Shut the fuck up and get on your feet," I cut him off, my voice ice. "And apologize to your sister."

"Sister?" His eyes dart to Lacey, then back to me in confusion. "Wait, you're not from?—”

"I said, get up." Each word drops like a stone.

He scrambles to his feet, still babbling promises about payment schedules and collateral. The urge to break his jaw grows with every word.

"Freddy." Lacey's voice cuts through his desperate rambling. She steps forward, placing a gentle hand on my arm. The touch grounds me, reminds me why we're here. "Vadim isn't here to hurt you. He's here to help keep you safe."

The irony of her defending him after what just happened makes my jaw clench. But I stay silent, letting her take the lead. She's always been better at showing mercy than I deserve to witness.

Freddy's gaze continues darting between us like a cornered rat. Then, his eyes lock onto Mom’s necklace, and I watch recognition bloom across his face. The same necklace he pawned to pay his gambling debts. The same necklace that meant everything to Lacey.

"That's..." His voice wavers.

"Mom's necklace that you pawned?" Lacey's voice carries a sharp edge I rarely hear from her. She reaches up to touch the delicate chain, and I see her draw strength from its presence. "Yes, it is."

The movement catches the light, making her engagement ring sparkle. Freddy's eyes widen further as he finally notices the massive pink diamond. His mouth works soundlessly as he processes what he's seeing.

"You're..." He swallows hard, looking between us again. "With him?"

"Marriedto him," Lacey corrects, her chin lifting. The pride in her voice makes my chest swell. "And if you're not going to help us keep this family safe, then get out of my way. I need to check on Dad."

Freddy opens his mouth, likely to spew more venom at her. I take a single step forward, letting him see exactly what will happen if he dares. His jaw snaps shut with an audible click, and he presses himself against the wall to let Lacey pass.

Smart choice.

For once in his worthless life, he shows a glimmer of self-preservation.

I wait until Lacey's footsteps fade up the stairs before turning my attention back to Freddy. His face glistens with sweat as he tries to shrink further into the wall.

"Half a million dollars," I say softly, watching him flinch at each syllable. "That's quite a debt you've racked up at Kirsan's casinos."

His eyes go wide. "How did you?—"

"I make it my business to know everything about the people in my wife's life." I step closer, enjoying how he tries to retreat from my presence. "If it were up to me, I'd let Kirsan's collectorshave their way with you. God knows you deserve it after the way you've treated Lacey."

"Please," he whimpers. "I can explain?—"

"Shut up." The words slice through his pathetic attempts at excuses. "The only reason you're still breathing is because my wife still considers you family. Despite everything you've done to hurt her, she still wants to protect you."

A dark stain spreads across the front of his pants, and the acrid smell of urine fills the air. Pathetic.

"So here's what's going to happen," I continue, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're going to show Lacey the respect she deserves. If I detect even a hint of your usual attitude toward her, I will personally throw you to the wolves. Do you understand?"

He nods frantically, a thin whine escaping his throat.

"I said, do you understand?"

"Y-yes," he stammers. "I understand."

The puddle beneath his feet grows larger.

"And hand me your gun," I say. "Slowly. I don't fucking trust you with one."

Nodding nervously, he reaches back and takes out a six-shooter that had been tucked in the back of his pants. I snatch it out of his hand, put it in my jacket, and step back towards him, watching him shrink further into the wall as Lacey returns with her father.

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