Page 277 of Ruins
My heart clenches in my chest.
the dock looms—a grotesque silhouette against the moonless sky. Maksim kills the lights, parking far enough to stay unseen, close enough to see our men flood in like a silent storm.
One of Maksim’s men steps forward. “Dock’s clear, except for one. Miroslav.”
Miroslav.
They drag him forward, and he doesn’t fight.
That’s the first thing that feels wrong.
Maksim, Angelo, and I approach as they force Miroslav to his knees, binding his hands behind his back. Maksim doesn’t hesitate.
His fist collides with his uncle’s face, the sickening crack echoing through the air.
“Where are the Armenians?” Maksim demands.
Miroslav doesn’t feign innocence. He spits blood, smirks, then starts talking.
He spills what we already know—how he embezzled money from NovaRael, sold out to the Armenians, then ran when they demanded more.
Another punch to the ribs. A kick to his stomach. He grunts, coughs and then the bastard laughs.
His eyes find mine.
“Did she tell you?” he asks, voice drenched in amusement.
Something in his tone makes my blood run cold.
“Did she tell you she was taken?”
The world narrows.
“Yes,” I snap. “And you paid them off like a coward. We know more than you think. It’s pathetic that you offered your other daughter afterward and sent Jude after my wife.”
Miroslav grins through bloodstained teeth.
“Myotherdaughter?” he scoffs. Then he laughs, full-bodied, like this is all some fucking joke.
“You shit stains think you know everything.”
I don’t like this.
The unease claws its way up my spine.
“Jude went rogue,” Miroslav continues. “Had a conversation with Sarkisian, thought he could take Vasilisa for himself. Butmydeal? That was set in stone.”
“What deal?”
Miroslav shakes his head.
Maksim doesn’t wait. He delivers another vicious blow, sending Miroslav’s head snapping to the side.
“You’re dead either way, old man.” Maksim’s voice is like ice. “Might as well spill it all.”
Miroslav groans, spits more blood. Then, finally, he mutters the words that shatter everything.
“I offered Vasilisa.”
