“I should gut you right now.”
I arch a brow. “Why don’t you?”
He exhales, cuts my rope, and drags me up as he stands to his full height. “Because you are going to suffer first.” He growls.
I shiver inwardly as everything in me begins to think of a way out.
ShouldI pleadfor my life? No! That will give him the satisfaction he is looking for. Lazaro has no intention of lettingme leave here alive. However, he would want to break me before finishing me off. The only way to delay him is to stay defiant.
If I gosoft,the game will become boring to him and that will mean my end. Besides, I want to go down fighting. Aithan will not hear that I went down like a coward.
“You know, I was disappointed when you survived the poison,” he admits, inspecting the blade in his hand. “But now, I’m glad you did. Because I get to do it myself.”
My pulse pounds. Not in fear, but in fury.
This filthy, power-hungry snake thinks he’s still in control. That he has the upper hand.
But he doesn’t truly know me.
Lazaro begins to pace the room, speaking more to himself than to me. Arrogance drips from every word.
“You think you and your husband are untouchable, but you’re not.” He sneers. “Aithan won’t always be there to save you, just like he isn’t right now. I’ll patiently lay his own trap when I am done with you. And one day, he’ll slip. And when he does, I’ll be waiting.”
I tilt my head, feigning boredom. “You sound a little obsessed.”
He ignores me. “Basilis is on his way here now. He’s loyal, unlike your stubborn husband—and he will rule with me.”
Perfect, the plan worked.
I fight the smirk threatening to break free. Basilis isn’t coming to re-strategize with him. He’s leading Aithan straight here.
Lazaro keeps going, his ego blinding him to the noose tightening around his neck. “I am thinking of the best way to cause you pain.” He trails a blade down my cheek, pressing just enough to draw a thin line of blood. “I want you to feel the pain I felt when all my plans went up in flames because of your marriage to Aithan.”
I don’t flinch.
Instead, I hold his gaze, my electric blue eyes boring into his soulless ones. “You talk too much,” I bite out, voice steady despite the chaos raging inside me.
His smirk falters just slightly, and that’s all I need.
I don’t hesitate. In one fluid motion, I slam my forehead into his nose with a sickening crack.
Lazaro stumbles back, cursing, as blood trickles from his temple.
The guards react immediately, gathering around their leader.
Big mistake.
They ignore me, thinking I am helpless, but what they don't know is that some of the best fighters in the Makarov Bratva properly trained me in self-defense.
One of Lazaro’s men lunges for me in fury.
At the last second, I twist, grabbing the knife from his belt and driving it deep into his stomach. His body stiffens, eyes wide with shock. I yank the blade free, spinning just in time to slash at the next one’s arm before he can grab me.
Blood sprays across the floor. Adrenaline surges through me. And I know I am at the point of no return.
A gunshot echoes through the room, bringing me to a halt. I close my eyes, waiting for the pain and warm feeling of blood. But nothing, so I open my eyes only to find Lazaro pointing the gun upward.
He did not shoot me, not yet.