Page 37 of Ruthless Bonds

“No need. I already know. I know everything.”

Gavriil laid out the photos on the coffee table. The deputy mayor paled, his face now covered with perspiration. He took notice of the black leather gloves I wore and wiped his forehead.

I stood and walked slowly around the living room, stopping to admire a painting on the wall. “You know, in this life, there’s a certain expectation of dishonesty. Corruption, greed, betrayal, thievery—it’s a given in this line of work. But you know what truly disgusts me?” The question hung in the air for a moment. I turned to face the now trembling deputy, who looked as if he might faint at any moment.

“It’s men who prey on the innocent and vulnerable and then think their power shields them from consequences. Thieves, I can understand. Butthis”—I pointed to the photos—“this doesn’t deserve understanding. This deserves something far more ruthless.”

It was then he noticed the rope hanging from the beam in the ceiling. I tugged on the noose, making sure it was stable.

“Mr. Zokrov, please, no. I’ll get the license approved first thing in the morning. I’m sorry, it’s just a misunderstanding—”

I held up my hand, shaking my head. “Miles, this has nothing to do with the license anymore.”

“Then I have information I can offer,” he stammered. “A man, Ivanov, he’s been hanging around trying to get information on you. He says he’s going to be the new boss in town.” He turned to Gavriil, his eyes pleading. “That’s good info, right? That’s got to be worth something.”

“Not really.” I chuckled as he made a beeline for the door. Sago reached him in three strides and wrapped his arm around his neck. After a few heartbeats, Wilson stopped struggling and slowly sank to the floor.

Sago dragged him over and placed the noose around his neck. Gavriil helped to hoist him up, and when he was in place, Sago snapped the ammonia salt under his nose. Wilson woke with a gasp, and Gavriil yanked on the rope to get his attention.

“Now, Miles, they’re going to step away, so you better hold yourself up.”

His eyes widened as they let go of him, and he balanced on shaking legs on the edge of the chair. His eyes traveled from the rope in Gavriil’s hands to the beam, then down to where his own hands gripped the rope around his neck. “Please don’t do this. I’ll doanything, I promise.”

“Here’s what’s going to happen. Instead of me torturing you to death like you deserve, you’re going to jump off this chair and hang yourself. I’ve got too much going on right now, and I don’t want the headache of a possible murder investigation hanging over my head, especially when I’m trying to plan a wedding. Now, I must warn you, you will choke to death. The rope will not break your neck. That rarely happens.”

“Please,” he begged, snot and tears dripping down his face. “I’m sorry, please don’t do this.”

Ignoring his pleas, I sat on the edge of the chesterfield. “Believe me, I would love nothing more than to strangle you with my bare hands, but the bruising would give it away. We can kick the chair, or you can be a man for the first time in your pathetic life and jump. What will it be?”

“Please,” he cried.

“For fuck’s sake.” Gavriil rolled his eyes and kicked the chair from underneath him. “What did I tell you about playing with your food?”

The deputy mayor’s body jerked, twisting and flailing as he gripped the rope. His face distorted, turning red as his eyes bulged. It was disturbing to watch, but I refused to turn away. I wanted my face to be the last thing he saw before he died.

“The photos?” Gavriil asked.

“Put them out of sight, but where they’ll be easily found.”

I wasn’t a good man, nor had I ever claimed to be.

But I wasn’t like the deputy director. Or the Cruel.

I wasn’t a depraved monster.

I ran this city with an iron fist, and nobody wasexempt from my wrath if they broke the rules.

“One more thing,” Gavriil said as we rode back to my estate. He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and passed it to me. “Thought you might be interested in this.”

I unfolded the paper, glaring at what I saw.

Looked like Miss Wolfe had decided to be a brat after all.

At least I was looking forward to her punishment.

Chapter Seven

Alora

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