Page 79 of Savage Reins
That's when voices carry from outside. Shouting. Running footsteps.
"Mira! Mira, where are you?" Yuri Petrov's voice cuts through the tension, wild with panic.
The shed door bursts open. Mira's father rushes inside, his face twisted with terror. Behind him, two men in racing official uniforms push through the doorway.
"What in God's name is happening here?" Mr. Corsi, the race steward, takes in the scene—blood on the floor, weapons drawn, Mira pressed against the wall with Lev's gun at her head.
"Private business," Lev says smoothly, but his grip on the weapon wavers.
"This is a public racetrack." Corsi's voice carries absolute authority. "Any business conducted here falls under racing commission jurisdiction."
Yuri pushes past the officials, moving toward his daughter. "Mira, are you hurt?"
"Stay back," Lev warns, but his voice lacks conviction now.
"Mr. Karpin." Corsi addresses Lev directly. "Lower your weapon. Now."
"This doesn't concern racing officials."
"Everything that happens on this property concerns us. Lower your weapon or I'll have track security arrest you for assault with a deadly weapon."
The standoff stretches. Then, slowly, reluctantly, Lev lowers his gun.
"This isn't over," he says quietly. "The debt stands."
"What debt?" Corsi demands. "What exactly is going on here?"
Vadim straightens his jacket, trying to regain composure. "A misunderstanding. Easily resolved."
"Nothing about this looks easily resolved." Corsi pulls out his phone. "I'm calling track security. And the police."
"That won't be necessary." Lev moves toward the door. "We're leaving."
"You're not going anywhere until I get answers." Corsi blocks the exit. "Miss Petrova, are you all right?"
Mira nods but doesn't trust her voice. Blood trickles from her split lip, her eye puffy and red. It will be bruised tomorrow.
"Who did this to you?" Corsi's voice hardens.
Before anyone can answer, Dima struggles to his feet. "The bitch cheated. Switched the numbers to throw the race, and it worked."
Corsi frowns. "Number switching? That's a serious violation of track regulations."
"She admitted it," Vadim adds. "Fraud and deception. The racing commission should investigate."
"We will." Corsi looks at Mira. "Is this true? Did you switch horse numbers?"
Mira meets his gaze. "Rusalka won that race fair and square. She earned every stride of that victory."
"That's not what I asked."
Yuri steps forward. "She switched the saddle cloths, yes. But only because these men threatened to kill her if our horse lost."
Corsi's eyes widen. "Death threats? Over a horse race?"
"Over a debt," I correct. "The race was supposed to settle a family obligation."
"What kind of obligation requires death threats?"
