Page 21 of Bratva Beast

“She said she got an STD from the doctor she was banging at the other hospital. It’s why she had to change her rotation.”

Wystan scoffs, leaning against the wall by the door. “Stupid.”

I roll my eyes at Anatoly. “My woman is smart.”

Russell’s forehead pinches. I can see the wheels spinning. “She lied?”

“Of course, she fucking lied. She’s a doctor; she’s not going to get an STD from some random guy at her work.”

Wystan coughs. “I could do this.”

I whip my head to my brother. “Why?”

“He’s beneath you.”

I pivot to Anatoly, who nods. “It is. I get it. I’d have killed him the moment I walked in if I were you.” He picked up the long, flat blade on the table. “I’ll do it now. Wystan is right. He’s not worth it.”

The image of Isabella’s black eye and split lip enters my brain, and I walk around to the back of the chair. I slide the clippers around Russell’s right index finger as he screams and flails. I squeeze the blades together as his finger falls to the floor with blood spurting out of the stub. What the hell am I doing here? I don’t need to kill him to prove my point. He’s already dead.

“Stop, Stop. Please. I’m begging you.”

“Doesn’t matter.” I toss the bloody tool on the metal, making a loud clanking sound. I raise my head to Wystan. “You’re right.” I nod to Anatoly as he swipes the long blade into flesh. The squelching sound is familiar. I don’t bother to turn around as I listen to Russell gurgling as the blood spills out of his body. “I’m going home.”

I step into the penthouse and nod at the man Wystan left when he came to me at the warehouse. “All quiet?”

“Yes. The doors have remained closed.”

My hand hits the palm print scanner on the wall and the door opens. I flick my head at the younger man. “Go.”

I proceed down the hall, hearing the door click shut as I enter my bedroom. Isabella lays sleeping like an angel, facing the interior of the bed. I strip my clothes and walk into the bathroom to take a shower. I’ve never felt guilt over murdering someone.There’s a code and breaking the code means death. Whether you know the rules or not, it makes no difference. I clean under my nails and around the cuticles to make sure the blood and bacteria from the dead man are no longer on my flesh. For the first time in my life, I don’t want to be dirty. I need to wash off the evil before I climb into our bed with Isabella. I’m curious how she’ll explain the bruises on her face.

The shower door opens, and my angel slides her hand in to touch my chest. She’s pulled up her hair into a sloppy knot. “I heard you thinking from the bed.”

I kiss the top of her head. “You know me too well.”

She caresses my chest with her gentle hand. “I’m sure you’re clean, Cynric.”

I sigh. She really does understand me. A part of me relishes the fact that she knows what I do and can still touch me. I step out and grab a towel, drying off my torso. Then I pull her to me, holding her tight.

She breaks the embrace to grab a towel and bends to dry my legs.

The sensation of being cared for reverberates around my body. There’s no obligation, just affection. That thought scares me. Can she really understand the beast I am and still care for me?

She looks up as she dries my abdomen. “The world wouldn’t end if you turned off your brain and enjoyed the moment.”

Her words resonate in my soul. “True. You’re wise for your age.”

She tosses the wet towels over the racks and cocks her hip to study me. “Age is a number. My life experience far overshadows the lives of my peers.” She smiles. “Let’s go to bed.” Her soft voice caresses my restlessness.

The bruise on her face has darkened. I want to kill him again. I need to focus on her. “Are you hungry?”

“No. I do need a couple more hours of sleep before I get to the hospital.”

I stop moving and pivot. “Can you go back there?”

“He’s dead, right?” I slowly bob my head as she shrugs. “Then, yes.”

“You’re okay with what I did? What I do? Who I am?”

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