Page 30 of Ruthless Bonds

“What happened to your sister?”

My leg froze mid-bounce, and I slowly looked upfrom the floor to meet his gaze. It was impossible to read his face. What did he know about Dove? How could he know anything had happened to her? Unless—they’d gotten to her?

“Please, Kreos. Leave her out of this. She’s completely innocent. Please don’t do anything to her.” My voice shook. For the first time since all of this had started, I wanted to cry. “I’ll do anything, just please don’t hurt her.”

He straightened his back, a total transformation taking place right in front of my eyes. The powerful, ruthless man was once again standing in front of me.

“One of my men is dead. Someone stole my product and destroyed my house. And you’re saying a mysterious third person is responsible. That you and your brother had nothing to do with it.”

“Yes!” It sounded like bullshit when he said it that way, but he had to know I was telling the truth.

“I don’t believe you.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared down at me. “I want a life for a life. Your brother’s or yours. Decide.”

A wave of numbness washed over me. “You want me to choose between you killing my brother, or you killing me?” My mouth went dry, mind racing. So, this was it. After everything I’d been through, this was how it all ended. I’d known I meant nothing to him, but for him to talk about killing me so casually—it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“I have no intention of killing you, Miss Wolfe.”

I understood the undertone of his words. Dylan was as good as dead if I said his name. But me? What would he do to me? “What do you mean, then? You want my life in what way?”

He cocked his head to the side and rubbed his chin. “Your life will be mine. I’ll own it. You’ll do anything I ask of you.”

“For how long? Forever?” My breath caught in my throat. God, he might actually be insane.

“For however long I deem necessary. However long it takes you to pay your penance.”

“And you’ll leave my family alone?”

“You have my word.”

It was an easy decision to make. My family would always come first. “OK. I agree.” I held his gaze, even though I didn’t want to. But I refused to show him any fear. He was the kind of man who thrived on it, and I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Excellent.” His expression didn’t change; there was zero emotion on his face. I was pretty sure he might be a psychopath.

And I’d just made a deal with him.

“There are a few things we need to discuss, but your sister needs to hear this too.” He pulled out his phone and held it against his ear. “Bring her in.”

My body trembled with barely controlled anger at the realization that Dove was here. She must be terrified. The door swung open, and I stood, my hands balled into fists. A man walked in, similar in height and build to Kreos, but a tad slimmer and with darker hair. His hand was on Dove’s lower back as he escorted her into the room, and she jerked away from his touch.

When her gaze landed on me, I could see the relief in her red-rimmed eyes. She rushed over and squeezed me into a tight hug. “Are you OK?” I whispered into her ear, and she nodded once. She pulled back and looked at my face, then up and down my body.

“You?” she mouthed, and I nodded.

“Miss Lane, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Kreos stalked forward and held his hand out to Dove. She glanced at me out of the corner of my eye, and I nodded. She gripped his hand, then snatched it back just as quickly, tugging her hat on. “I see you’re already familiar with my second-in-command, Gavriil.”

Dove glared at Gavriil and nodded, which made him smirk. Second-in-command, huh? Great, now we were dealing with two assholes instead of just one. Gavriil walked over to the bar area and opened up a safe. He pulled out a box and laid it on the bar.

“Let’s get right to the point.” Kreos waved his hands at the two seats in front of his desk, and we sat down. “My name is Kreos Zokrov and I’m the Pakhan of the Zokrov Bratva, which means I’m the most dangerous man you’ll ever meet in your life.” He looked mostly at Dove as he spoke, except when he said “dangerous,” he glanced at me.

Dove’s hand gripped mine in a vise, her nails digging into my palms. I wanted to tell her everything was going to be OK, but I didn’t know if it was this time.

“In exchange for not harming your brother, or you for that matter, your sister has pledged her life to me, for however long I deem it necessary.”

Gavriil walked over with a tray and set it on the edge of Kreos’ desk. There was a white cloth over the top, so I couldn’t tell what was underneath. Honestly, I didn’t want to know what it was.

“Let me be blunt so we can all get on with our night. If you go to the police, or try to run from me, I’ll kill you.” Kreos stared at Dove until she nodded. Her palms were sweaty, or maybe it was mine. Either way, Igripped her hand tightly.

“Miss Wolfe?” Kreos looked at me, and I nodded too. It wasn’t like I had any choice in the matter.

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