Page 112 of Lies He Told Me (Bratva Crime Syndicate 1)

No emotion registers on his face. “Unintentional.”

“It doesn’t matter what the intention was! This is what is happening.”

Still no emotion. “My men know who to shoot. If the Skull Kings’ retaliations are more careless, that is not on us.”

“Yes, itison you!” I can’t believe this. My finger stabs into his chest. “You started this, didn’t you? It was you!”

Gavril’s fingers close around mine. “Joy. Now is not the time or place. We can discuss this at home.”

“I don’t have a home.” I say it to be cruel, but I realize just as suddenly that it’s true. “I can’t live with someone … be with someone, who … who …”

Gavril still hasn’t got it, yet. He still thinks he can talk his way out of this. “Who makes his enemies pay?” A small smile. “I know you want me to apologize, but I won’t. Not to you or anyone. I’m not sorry for this and I’m not sorry for Damon, either. It’s simple: anyone who crosses me pays.”

There’s a threat in there, too, and not just for the enemies he’s already lashed out against, but I don’t care.

“What did you do with Damon?”

Annoyance flashes in Gavril’s eyes. “He’ll live.”

“Where is he?”

“Where he’ll be picked up by well-meaning police shortly, I’m sure.”

That’s it, then. There’s nothing more I can do here. I turn away.

“Joy.”

I start walking.

“What are you doing?”

I stop, although I don’t let myself look at him. I know what will happen if I do.

“Leaving,” I tell him in a voice more even-keeled than mythump-thump-thumpingheart. “You don’t care. You’ve made that more than clear. You don’t care about innocent lives—anyone’s but your own—that are being hurt by this war. You don’t care that you’ve been lying to me for weeks. You don’t even care about your so-called code, do you? ‘Never hurt anyone not in the game.’What a bunch of bullshit.”

“Joy …”

“Let me go. I won’t ask you again.”

26

Gavril

She doesn’t understand. I can’t let her go.

She’s seen too much. Knows too much. If I was smart, I’d have her killed. If I was strong, I would do it myself.

“Don’t take another step,” I growl.

She looks at me, then turns away and keeps walking.

My fists clench. My men are behind me, watching. I can’t let them see this. I have to stop her.

“Our deal is void if you leave now,” I tell her. “No more help for your mother. Not a dime.”

She pauses, turning halfway. Tears glisten in her eyes. “I should be surprised at you basically condemning my mom to die, but I’m not. Other people’s lives clearly means so little to you.”

“If you don’t understand my world by now, then you never will.”

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