Page 31 of The Payment

“Yes, you can.Give me one more, Venus.I need one more from you,”

With a scream that threatened to split open the heavens, she squirted again, then kept going as he ruthlessly kept feeding one after the other.

In a dark voice, he growled against her ear, “You wanted this, my dear wife, and now you got it.You are mine, and I am yours...and that’s never going to change.Not now...and sure as hell not in five years.”

His words burst through the cloud of euphoria she was floating on.Her eyes widened.

“But—”

“No.It’s done, Tatiana.You wanted me.You got me.I’d be fucked if I let you walk away after this.”

Chapter Twelve

Gregor Polov

Five days later, theDeer Island Sewage Treatment Plant, Deer Island, Boston Harbor...

The night spread like ink across Boston Harbor as the SUV rental approached Deer Island.Heavy clouds blocked the moon, creating a perfect cover for their mission.The massive sewage treatment plant loomed ahead, its egg-shaped digesters casting strange shadows against the dark sky.

A plant security guard, Marcus Wheeler, waited at the gate.His hands shook as he fumbled with the keys.Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cold as he glanced at Gregor through Skull’s open window.

“Everything’s ready, sir.Your men are waiting for you with your guest in Digester Building Three.”

Gregor stepped out of the SUV.He smirked as the guard took a step back when Skull unfolded from the vehicle, his presence commanding immediate attention.Neither of them acknowledged the guard’s presence beyond a nod and a sideward glance.Power demanded respect, and they had earned their positions through decades of ruthless decisions.No advisor or underboss dared to question Polov’s judgment.The last one who tried disappeared without a trace.The Polovskaya Bratva was his kingdom, and he ruled it alone.

Ivor Smirnoff’s usual stone-faced expression had cracked.His jaw was tight with his brows drawn together in clear concern.The assassin had served Gregor for too many years to count without showing a hint of emotion.Tonight was different, but Gregor refused to be concerned about it.

They walked through the maze of concrete and steel.The digesters towered above them like giant eggs, their curved walls stretching sixty feet into darkness.Steam hissed from vents, carrying the sharp smell of chemicals and waste.The walkways echoed with their footsteps.It was the perfect place to dispose of problems.Gregor’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“Spit it out, Skull, before your hairline splits,” Gregor growled as they weaved between the structures.His hand instinctively tightened on his walking stick, his trademark, with the knob made of pure gold in the shape of the head of Satan.

“You’re overstepping the boundaries that the Dark One carved, Boss...and in his own backyard.He’s not going to take that lightly.”

Gregor spun around, his face inches from Skull’s.“Stop calling the bastard Dark One.”His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.“Blood runs in his veins, same as ours.Now that we know who he is, there is no fucking reason to show him fear.He can bleed, Skull, and I intend to watch him follow the same path as his family...without a finger pointing at me.”

“What about yourvnuchka?How are you going to keep her out of the crossfire?”

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