Page 88 of Shattered Altar (Makarova Bratva Duet)

I glance towards Olivia and let out a long-suffering exhale. “Is he always this difficult?”

“Takes one to know one,” she hisses. Then she softens and glances over to her brother. “Rob, it’s okay. Just sign.”

He swallows. “Liv, this is not a game. After you sign on that dotted line, you’re going to be married to him. Legally, religiously, or whatever the fuck. In every way that matters.”

“I’m aware,” she croaks in a near-whisper.

“I don’t think you understand what that means.”

She frowns and that’s when I see the first fracture in her calm exterior. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a child,” she snaps. “I know exactly what’s happening. You do, too. You knew the risks involved with going against him.”

Even I’m surprised by the accusation. I suspect a part of her is just as taken aback.

“He’s a fucking kidnapper, Liv,” Rob says. “A human trafficker. I couldn’t just let him off scot-free.”

We’ve done this song and dance before, so I don’t bother denying it this time. He’s already made up his mind about that, so why go to the trouble? His opinion means nothing to me. In a few short moments, he’ll be taken out of the game.

She sighs. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“Liv—”

“I want you to do me a favor, okay?” she asks. When he doesn’t answer, she adds, “Rob, please.”

He nods reluctantly. “Anything.”

“I want you to tell Mom and Mia that I’m okay. I’m not hurt and I’m not in any danger. At least the first part of that is true. But sell it all so they buy it, do you understand?”

“They’ll never believe me, Liv.”

“Make them,” she growls in a tone that’s not dissimilar to mine.

“I’m gonna get you out of this,” he tells her as if I’m not standing right here watching the proceedings. “I promise you that.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Rob,” she says mournfully. “It’s okay. I’ll be okay.”

“Listen to your sister,” I suggest. “She clearly got the brains in the family.”

“Fuck you, Makar—”

One of my men kicks out his back legs. He falls to the ground again, hard. Olivia cries out and tries to move towards him, but I grab her and pull her back to my side.

“Stop this!” she screams, turning her burning brown eyes on me. “I’m giving you what you want. I’m marrying you.”

“If you think that’s enough,” I say, getting in her face, “then you still don’t understand me.”

I release her and look to my men. “Get him on his feet and bring him here. If he won’t walk himself, then break his legs and drag him.”

Rob stands stock-still, eyes brimming over with emotion. Rage, sadness, fear, helplessness. At his sides, my men flex their hands, ready to do what they must.

I arch an eyebrow. “What part of ‘break his legs’ sounded appealing to you, Robert?”

He falters. It’s pitiful to watch such a proud man brought to his knees. “I…”

“Look at your sister, Robert,” I growl. “Look at her face and decide what your next move is going to be.”

A clock ticks somewhere out of sight. Seconds pass. I prepare to give the order to inflict pain.

Then he sighs and slumps forward. “Okay,” he whispers hoarsely. “Okay.”

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