Page 141 of Vicious Addictions

She pauses to think about the repercussions of getting caught bringing someone from outside. Thankfully, the pros must outweigh the cons because she gives me a conceding nod and retorts, “Fine. But remember, you owe me one.”

“I know.”

That will probably kick me in the ass later, but I need to see Mina.

Too anxious to keep still, I stand up and walk over to the window, staring at the large yard in front while I wait for her. Twenty minutes later, Stella keeps her promise and ushers Mina inside.

Mina enters the room, looking freshly showered, wearing a simple white top and jeans. However, the scowl she was wearing downstairs in the meeting room is still permanently stitched to her face.

“Remember,” Stella says before leaving. “You owe me one. Big time.”

I don’t say anything as I watch her close the door behind her.

“I don’t appreciate being summoned,” Mina says without sparing me a glance, her attention focused on the semi-lifeless body lying on the bed in front of her.

“You didn’t seem to put up much of a fight when my father summoned you at today’s meeting.”

“Requested. Not summoned. Big difference.”

“Is it?” My chest tightens when I take a step closer to her and see the blue and purple bruises on her face starting to become more prominent.

“To me, it is.”

“Fair enough. Then, I apologize for the imposition. Though I’m glad you came,” I say, bridging the gap between us.

I don’t miss how she swiftly walks away from me, preferring to have the bed between us.

“Why am I here, Jude?”

“Please have a seat,” I reply instead of giving her an answer. I then pull up another chair and plant it right next to mine. I sit down and wait patiently for her to move.

After a good two minutes, she relents and sits beside me, the familiar smell of her coconut body wash infiltrating all my senses.

I rub my thumb gently across her split bottom lip, her breath catching in her throat with the uninvited touch.

“Does it hurt?” My voice comes out gruffer than I would have wanted.

“I’ll live.”

“Did he do this to you?” I tilt my head toward Dimitri.

“His friends.”

“I’ll fucking kill them for laying a hand on you,” I growl.

She turns to me, her gaze still hard as stone.

“Who says I haven’t already?”

“Dimitri was the only one you spared?”

“Yes,” she says flatly. “Once I ensured my spy on the inside was safe, I didn’t care whether one more Bratva soldier lived or died. I had my spy. I had Dimitri. The rest didn’t matter.”

“You should have let me come with you,” I snap in frustration, dragging my hand over my face to cool me down.

“Why?”

“Because…” I start to grit out.

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