Page 57 of Savage Sin

“If I could see, I wouldn’t be pinned to your back like a sitting duck!” I can heat Persi’s heavy breathing and it has mine jacking up.

“Who did you bring with you, asshole?”

The crack of a gun goes off. One. Two. Three. Dirt and grass fly into the air.

My hold on Ghost loosens. He uses my distraction and breaks free, stumbling into the smoke. I advance, raise a leg, and sink it into his gut.

“All you had to do was ask for help. Was that so fucking hard?”

I land another blow and this time he rolls to his feet, gripping his ribs.

Another round of bullets pop off in our direction and I shove Persi toward a large tree. Instead, she does something that stops my heart mid-beat.

She throws my hands off, falls to her knees and picks up Ghost’s gun. She turns her back to mine and starts returning fire.

So, this is how it’s going to go down.

Grief and sorrow fuel the fight. I move swiftly and bury my fist in his face.

Snap.

Resentment gleams in his eyes. “You always thought you were the entitled one. The special one. After you ran off for the United States, it left me to fill the holes in the family you left behind.”

“Rage! I’m out.”

“Back pocket,” I tell her, my eyes never leaving the Russian traitor in front of me.

“I don’t know what I’m doing!”

“Release, reload. Shoot.”

“Yeah sure. So simple.” She mumbles something about shooting dicks off and turning into a hermit.

Click, thud, click.

“Now what?”

“Give it.” I reach behind me, take the gun and put one in the chamber before handing it back to her all without losing track of Ghost.

He wipes at a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. “You’re not getting out of this alive. None of us are. Your brother was just as stubborn. Look at where he ended up. I’ll leave you bleeding in the grass for them if it saves my daughter. It’s the least you can do.”

“The least I can do? I didn’t put your daughter in danger. You did.”

Ghost’s pupils dilate, turning ice solid black. His nostrils flare with manic outrage. It shows in his shaking hands and wide eyes. He dances from side to side like this is some boxing match.

“Me?” he seethes, spittle falling from his lips. He thumps his fist against his chest. “Me! It is because of you! When I couldn’t fill the shoes of you two men, Ares’ father made sure I paid for my shortcomings and his sons carry on the torture. Do you have any idea how cruel thepakhancan be?” Raw chaos drives his fists forward. I take the hit and another to my ribs, absorbing his pain. Letting him get close.

I retreat, heaving for air, keeping myself between him and Persi. I keep backing us toward the side of the cabin that is not on fire. Ghost thinks I’m retreating but we need cover before some fucker gets lucky and hits a target.

I laugh, the sound dark and sinister like the memories plaguing me day and night. “Know cruelty? I lived it and the nightmares will torture me long after you are dead and gone.”

Ares’ cousin ran with us. We were a tight pack until Ares and I brought my brother Stateside. He had a chance to follow, but we always suspected he liked the idea of stepping into Ares’ place once it was empty. I guess Ares and I were right. In our absence, Ares’ father—the oldpakhan—took Ghost under his wing and created the Bratva monster in front of me. And now his sons are using him as they intended—a weapon to take down Ares.

“You used lies to get inside the Savages, used our trust and loyalty to an old friend against us. You will pay for your crimes.”

“Da, moy brat. I have already in so many ways. But it doesn’t change the fact I have to do what they want, or she dies.”

I don’t have the heart to tell him the Bratva will never release him or the girl from their grip. It’s a miracle Ares and I got out. One I’m sure cost many people their lives when they couldn’t produce our bodies.

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