Page 198 of Silenced

No fucking way.

Was that alaugh?

Sure, it was bitter. But thatwasgoddamn laughter.

While Maxim and I gape at one another in bewilderment, Nikolai is utterly unaware of how a sound we haven’t heard in decades affects us as he tips his chin down and calmly, stalwartly,ruthlesslydeclares, “It’s time to show Moskva who owns the States,nyet?”

53

MAXIM

The soundof Nikolai’s laughter haunts me even after he’s left my apartment. Even after Misha has gone to sniff around his Z-list girlfriend. Even after I’m left alone to deal with my injuries.

I can’t regret them, not when what I did wasright,but fuck, what the hell have I started?

I triggered a war with my own men when I only meant to save—

“What does it matter?” I ask no one.

Grimacing with pain as I scrub a hand over my face, I lower my arm to the counter and try not to tense up as it makes the discomfort from the myriad cuts, bruises, burns, broken bones, and GSWs worse.

Unfortunately, as I do, I catch a look at my face in the vanity mirror.

I’m already covered in scars so the extras on my body can’t spoil what was ruined when I was a child.

Still…

Every year, I’m turning into more of a fucking monster than I was before.

Grabbing the shit I need to clean up, I grit my teeth once I dab alcohol onto the raw wounds and then pat antibiotic cream on top after the area is dry. Wrapping it up again, I heave a sigh when that’s finally done then shift on to the next one.

And the next one.

And the next.

When I’m finished, each future scar stinging with the echoing burn of the alcohol, I curl my hands around the cool marble counter and inhale then exhale deeply to relieve the discomfort.

Eyes narrowed as I stare at my reflection, the light of my cell’s screen switching on draws my attention.

From this distance, I read the text:

LHD Courier: Package Delivered.

LHD Courier: Handed to and signed for by Eoghan O’Donnelly.

That has my lips tightening in annoyance.

Will my gift end up with Victoria Vasov, my future bride? Or will it be confiscated by her brother-in-law, the Irish Mobster, O’Donnelly?

As I withdraw a bottle of aspirin from the medicine cabinet, I mutter to myself, “Only time will tell.”

54

CASSIE

“Cassie!”

“What?” I retort innocently, grinning when Savannah rolls her eyes at me, making me grateful for the company and that she’d been able to fit me in today with only an evening’s notice.

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