Page 43 of Inevitable Endings
I don’t respond.
Nick nods, unfazed. He expected this.
“Fine. Let’s start simple.” He leans back on his heels. “Tell me about the Bratva’s leadership.”
His voice is casual, but I know better. This is what he truly wants.
“Who are your Brigadiers? The ones running operations in different cities?”
I smirk. A slow, deliberate response.
Nick moves fast. His fist collides with my ribs, the same spot as before. Pain flares through my side, sharp and unforgiving, but I swallow it down. I breathe through it.
This is the game we play.
Nick sighs, stretching his fingers. “That was a warm-up.”
He straightens, rolling his shoulders.
“Let’s try again. Who are the Avtoritets enforcing your will? Who can be bought? Who can be eliminated?”
Silence.
The next hit snaps my head to the side, knuckles crackingagainst my jaw. My vision darkens at the edges, a sharp ringing in my ears.
Nick shakes out his hand, exhaling. Not frustrated. Not yet.
He steps behind me, close enough that I feel his breath against my ear.
“The money.”
His voice drops lower.
“Where is it?”
He walks around the chair, slowly, deliberately. Circling me.
“The Bratva’s real fortune. Offshore accounts. Crypto wallets. Shell companies.” His gaze sharpens. “Who controls it? Who handles the transfers? The accountants? The politicians?”
The edges of my vision blur. Blood trickles from my split lip, the coppery taste thick on my tongue.
Still, I give him nothing.
I like to make him work for it.
I enjoy the pain, the only feeling that’s left.
Nick watches me for a moment, then sighs. He’s patient, but patience has limits.
Nick exhales, shaking his head. He paces slowly, considering his next approach. Then, his tone shifts.
“Fine. Let’s talk about the people who let you get away with all of this.”
He turns back toward me.
“Which cops, which judges, which politicians are in your pocket?” His voice lowers. “What kind of dirt does the Bratva have on them?”
I don’t answer.
