Page 73 of Twisted Vows

Nikolai isn’t just betraying Maxsim. He’s working with Sal, feeding him information that could destroy everything. And me? I’m just a pawn in his game.

I stumble back, the rain slicking the ground beneath my feet. My mind races, every instinct screaming at me to run, to warn Maxsim—

CRACK.

The sound of a snapping branch freezes me in place.

Nikolai’s head snaps toward the window. His eyes meet mine through the glass, and for a moment, the world stops.

The door flies open, and Nikolai steps out, his expression dark and dangerous. “Ari?”

I force myself to stand tall, ignoring the rain streaming down my face. “You bastard.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Nikolai’s voice is tight with fury, but there’s a flicker of panic in his eyes.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I say, my voice sharp despite the terror gripping me. “Selling out Maxsim? Working with Sal? Do you even realize what you’ve done?”

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he might deny it. But then his face twists with bitterness. “You don’t understand, Ari. You never could. Maxsim doesn’t trust me. He never has. I was never more than a dog to him—loyal, obedient, disposable.”

“So you betray him?” I snap. “You betray all of us? For what? Money? Power?”

“For survival!” Nikolai roars, his voice breaking. “You think this life gives us choices? It’s Sal or nothing. You’d do the same if you were me.”

“I would never betray family,” I say, trembling.

“Family doesn’t mean shit,” Nikolai spits, stepping closer. “And now you’ve left me no choice.”

His hand moves toward his jacket, and I see the glint of a gun.

Before I can react, a voice cuts through the storm.

“Drop it.”

Maxsim steps into view, his gun trained on Nikolai. Moving like a predator, his steps are deliberate. The rain streaks his face, but his eyes burn with icy fury.

“Nikolai,” he says, his voice low and deadly. “You’ve disappointed me.”

Nikolai stiffens, his gun faltering. “Max—”

“Don’t,” Maxsim interrupts. “You’ve already said enough.”

The two men stare each other down, and I hold my breath, my heart pounding as Nikolai’s hand trembles on the gun.

“You think Sal will save you?” Maxsim asks, his tone razor-sharp. “You think he’ll let you live once you’ve outlived your usefulness?”

Nikolai doesn’t answer, but the panic in his eyes is answer enough.

Maxsim’s finger tightens on the trigger. “Lower the gun.”

Nikolai hesitates, his face twisting with rage and fear.

And then he moves.

The shot rings out, and Nikolai crumples to the ground, clutching his leg as blood pools beneath him.

Maxsim steps closer, his gun still aimed. “You made a choice, Nikolai. And this is where it ends.”

Anton and Pasha appear, dragging Nikolai to his feet. “You’ll never win, Maxsim. This life will destroy you.”

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