Page 79 of Sins He Taught Me (Bratva Crime Syndicate 3)

Face painting is in room 102, and beside that, there’s a large game of Duck, Duck, Goose going on. Victoria nudges me when I start to get grumpy and just like that, I force myself to turn on the charm. A few of the moms eye me curiously. That is, until Victoria hooks her arm in mine and steers us away.

“God, I didn’t realize how many single mothers had children here,” she mutters.

“You jealous?” I challenge. Victoria shoots me a nasty look but doesn’t say anything.

Nikolas is having the time of his life, judging by all the laughter. It’s good to see him interacting with other kids. When I first got custody of him, I was worried he would be reclusive all his life. He seemed so far in his shell. Now, he’s running around and laughing with his classmates. He stumbles over to me and says, “Uncle Matvei, can you get me some juice?”

“Sure, Niko. Be right back.” I head down to the cafeteria for refreshments, and when I return, he thanks me and takes a big gulp from his cup. I glance around the room for Victoria, and my eyes land on her talking to a good-looking guy who I overhead mention earlier is a single father.

My mood goes to shit.

She laughs and puts a hand on the man’s arm, her eyes pointed at me for a brief second. Of course, she’s trying to make me jealous by flirting.

This is why monogamy is bullshit. People play too many games. They say one thing and do the other, always trying to manipulate your emotions. Fed up with the childish bullshit, I put my cup down and storm outside in need of a cigarette.

I lean against the wall and close my eyes. I don’t know how I ended up in this mess, but it’s going to kill me, I know it. Between Victoria and her petty games and everything going on with the vigilante, I’m not sure how much more I—

There’s a startling bang, and beside me, the brick chips off. I flinch and turn my head to see a bullet hole in the wall.

Across the street, I see the shooter.

I’d know him anywhere.

The vigilante.

My pulse quickens and I take after him, not letting him get off another shot at me. I speed across the street, gaining on him, but as he runs, he knocks over trash cans and various objects on the sidewalk, tripping me up.

The vigilante cuts across the street and runs through traffic. For only a moment, I hesitate, but I decide then and there that I can’t let him get away. I dodge a school bus as it comes speeding down the street and narrowly avoid being hit by some soccer mom’s Prius.

When I get to the other side of the street, the vigilante has disappeared.

“Shit!” I shout, turning in circles looking for him. Figuring he must still be running, I decide to head north.

He’s not going to get away. Not this time.

---