Page 48 of Sins He Taught Me (Bratva Crime Syndicate 3)

“Time to see if today is your daddy’s lucky day.”

The world seems to still and everything goes quiet. I say my goodbyes in my head, because I know the moment he pulls the trigger again, Dad will be gone.

Click.

I hit the floor hard, my knees giving out. I place my palms flat on the chilly floor, trying to breathe. Reminding myself how to do it. In and out, slowly. I wipe my eyes and force myself to look back up at the two of them.

Matvei slides his gun back into his jacket and nods, taking a moment to adjust his cufflinks. His fist is lightning quick as he slams it into Dad’s eye.

Dad groans and slumps forward, more blood spilling down his face.

With his handkerchief, Matvei cleans his bloodied knuckles.

He slowly makes his way towards me, and like the first night in his office, he grips my hair in his fist, tugging my head back so that I’m looking up at him through tears.

“I’ve given you too many second chances, Victoria. There won’t be another one.”

I nod, over and over again. “I’m sorry,” I sob. “I won’t do it again. I promise.”

Almost tenderly, Matvei runs his hand over my face and wipes my tears. “I know you won’t, sweetheart. Clean yourself up, and when you’re ready, you can come back downstairs and finish eating with us.”

Matvei strides out of the room, and I crawl across the floor until I’m sitting at Dad’s feet. I wrap my arms around him and press my forehead to his knee.

The only thing I can do is cry.

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