Page 36 of Crazed

"What did they do, Massimo? You always allude to it but never fill us in."

My chest tightens. I want to tell him, but it's not my story to tell. It's personal and private between Katiya and me.

"Just give me something," Dante says in a softer voice. "Please."

I glance over my shoulder then lock eyes with him again. "All I'll say is if you put what Bridget went through and Katiya next to each other, I'm unsure what would be worse."

Dante's dark orbs widen. He stays quiet, and tension fills the air.

I sniff hard, trying to push down the emotions in my chest, hating that I haven't located Ludis yet so I can end his and Leo's life.

"Massimo! Dante! Get in here," Papà's sharp voice booms.

I take a deep breath, turn, and ignore his shocked expression. When I step through the door, Tully and Gianni are there with Boris Ivanov.

"Where's your brother?" Papà barks.

"He's right behind us. There was a small issue at the docks he's handling on the phone," I casually lie, avoiding Dante, and willing Tristano to get his ass home.

"Boris, didn't know you were in town," Dante adds.

Boris glances between Tully and Papà then replies in his Russian accent, "Certain information is better to discuss in person."

Alarm bells go off in my head. Boris turns to me. "If you wanted Petrov information, you should have come to my family."

My gut twists. I stay quiet, feeling all the eyes in the room on me.

"Sorry I'm late," Tristano interjects, stepping into the room.

"Did you take care of that dock issue?" I ask.

He nods. "It's sorted."

"What?" Papà questions.

"Nothing major or anything you need to worry about, Papà. What did I miss?"

Papà's glare turns to me. "Why are you looking for Ludis Petrov? And how did you get his ring?"

The room turns silent. I debate how to answer and finally decide to admit the truth. "I was going to torture and kill him."

"For what reason?" Papà demands.

I stay quiet.

Dante surprises me and comes to my rescue, saying, "Because he's a pig who belongs in the same hell as Bridget's rapists."

My insides quiver like they always do whenever I think about what Katiya went through. I stare at the ceiling, breathing through my anger.

"You can call off the search. Ludis is dead," Boris informs us.

I snap my head toward him. "He is?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

Boris grinds his molars then sniffs hard. "That's my family's business. But I assure you, he's dead."

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