Page 72 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

“Thanks, Tommy.For everything.”

He gives me a tight smile, the kind that holds years of shared battles and unspoken gratitude.And with that, he leaves me alone, the whiskey lingering warm in my veins.

After a moment, I pull open a drawer in my desk, reaching for something I’ve kept hidden for years.My fingers close around a small silver pendant gleaming in the dim light.Alexia gave it to me back when things were simpler, when I thought our lives would follow a different path.I run my thumb over the carved image of St.George slaying the dragon, feeling the warmth of memories rise up.

I’ve carried it with me all these years, a silent reminder of what we had, of what I lost.And now, it feels like a talisman, something that binds me to her, to Rose, to this fight.

I arrange the chain around my neck, close its clasp, and tuck it under my black shirt, leaving the pendant close to my heart.It’s like I’ve put on armor.This is what I’m fighting for.Not power, not revenge, but family.Something that matters.

I can hear the low humming of voices from the other room, the faint rustle of gear being packed, men preparing for battle.

My men, my brothers.

As I step back into the office, they look up, eyes sharpening, resolve hardening.They see it in the way I hold myself.There’s no hesitation left, no room for doubt.

I take a deep breath, my voice cold and steady, as I give the final command.“This ends tonight.No one rests until Alexia, Rose, and Pete are safe.”

They nod, weapons held close, their eyes reflecting my own determination.There’s a power in the silence, in the unspoken promise we all share.We’re going to war, and we’re not coming back empty-handed.

“Let’s move,” I order.

Just as we head for the door, a message pings on my phone.I pull it out, scanning the screen.It’s from my father:

Igor knows we’re coming.

My jaw clenches, a grim smile tugging at my lips.Good.Let him know.Let him sweat.

I slip the phone back into my pocket, giving one last nod to the men around me.This isn’t just business.This is personal.And Igor has no idea what’s coming his way.

As we step out, my heart pounds with anticipation.

I’m ready to burn his world to the ground if it means saving my family.

29

Alexia

Petrov pushes open the door with a grunt, balancing a tray of food in one hand while his other hovers over his gun.The flickering light bulb hanging from the ceiling casts harsh, distorted shadows across his face, deepening the lines and scars that tell of a life carved by violence.He’s a small man but has shoulders like boulders, and every movement he makes seems to crackle with restrained brutality.

When he steps forward, I instinctively press back against the concrete column I’m chained to, keeping my eyes lowered just enough to seem submissive, helpless.But inside, I’m calculating, watching his every step, assessing his weak points.This isn’t the terrified Alexia everyone knew—Igor might have broken pieces of me, but I’m still fighting.And right now, the smart move is not being defiant.

“Food,” Petrov groans, sliding the tray onto a small metal table bolted to the floor.The tray’s contents—a bowl of lukewarm porridge and a slice of stale bread—look as miserable as the dim cell around me.There’s a thin blanket on the bed and no windows.Only a single, steel-reinforced door.Escape is going to be hard—but not impossible.

I swallow back the bile rising in my throat when I see the glint of lust in his stare.I send a silent prayer to the universe for having given me the chance to listen to Boris and Petrov talking earlier.I know this sleazy bastard won’t try anything stupid because he’s terrified of Igor.

“Thank you,” I offer, keeping my voice soft.

Petrov scoffs, crossing his arms.“Thank Igor.If it were up to me, I’d let you starve.”

I shiver on cue, letting him see just enough of the fear he expects a woman to feel around him.“You…you wouldn’t really do that, would you?”I ask, forcing a quiver into my voice.I need him to think I’m still a broken, scared, and compliant woman.

Petrov sneers.“You’re Igor’s property, his wife.To me, that is all that matters, nothing more.”

I force myself to look down, biting my lip as if to hold back tears.But in my mind, I’m already thinking of what comes next.“Please,” I beg, feigning desperation.“Could I…use the bathroom?”

“There’s your bathroom.The chain is long enough to get you there.”He jerks his chin toward the corner where there’s a big metal bucket.With a smug grin, he adds, “Go ahead and use it.”

My skin crawls at the thought of his eyes on me, watching, leering.I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a peep show.His obnoxious expression suggests that is exactly what is crossing his mind right now.

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