Page 72 of Sinful Union

“Spare me the monolog,” Pavel bites back, voice as icy as his glare. “Tell me what you want, or is this just a petty display of power you orchestrated to impress your new friends?”

Piotr chuckles. “You’ll see soon enough. My ‘new friends’ are already reaping benefits.” He leans forward on the desk, hands folded. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We need to talk.”

I glance at Pavel, who’s glaring at Piotr with lethal intent. Piotr wants a conversation, presumably to gloat or threaten. What’s his endgame? And even if we manage to endure his show, what of the men who came with him? Are they all part of the Novikov Bratva or just hired guns?

There’s a scuffle of footsteps and the sound of grunting comes from the hallway. My head snaps toward the office door. Someone is being hauled in forcibly. Pavel tenses, half-standing. “Who—”

The men by the office door step aside and my stomach lurches at the sight: Vlad. Two men practically drag him over the threshold. He’s hunched over, his face a mess of bruises, one eye swollen shut, lip split. When they reach the middle of the room, they let him go, and he collapses on the floor in a heap.

I lurch to my feet with a cry, ignoring the guns that jerk in my direction. “Vlad!”

He tries to push himself up on trembling arms, but his strength fails. I rush forward, tears burning my vision. The men aim rifles at me, but I don’t care. I cradle Vlad’s face, seeing the extent of the damage up close. “Oh my God,” I whisper, voice trembling. “Vlad…”

He manages a broken, breathless chuckle. “It’s not as bad as it looks.” Blood coats his teeth, making the words almost unintelligible. My vision blurs with rage.

I spin around, glaring at Piotr as I yell, “Piotr, what have you done?”

Chapter 32

Pavel

Kat’s voice is weak, her heart clearly broken at the sight of Vlad’s condition.

He’s sprawled on the floor, barely conscious. Blood stains his cheek, and his battered face has swelled so badly that one of his eyes is practically sealed shut.My stomach knots at the sight of him.

He tries to mumble something else, but his words come out in a broken wheeze.

Kat kneels beside him, tears streaming down her cheeks, one hand supporting his head in her lap. I want to rush over and help, see how badly he’s hurt, but the close presence of two armed men pins me in place.Their rifles hover too close for comfort, both pointed in my general direction, ready to fire if I so much as twitch.

Kat’s voice trembles. “He’s your brother,” she chokes out, brushing her free hand against Vlad’s temple. “Your own blood. How could you do this?”

Her eyes look over the other injuries littering his body. He’s been beaten; every ragged breath he takes is clearly painful. I’m guessing his ribs are broken.

Piotr sits comfortably at my desk, watching her meltdown with a dismissiveness that churns my stomach. His posture is rigid, arms folded over his chest, as if that alone proves he’s in charge.

Kat’s tears dampen her jawline. “Look at him!” she demands, pointing at Vlad’s swollen face. “You think this is okay? You think—”

“Shut the fuck up,” Piotr snaps, cutting her off. “He’s not dead, is he? You’re lucky I let him live this long.” He waves one hand like Vlad’s life is an afterthought.

Anger surges through me and I clench my fists at my sides, forcing myself not to lunge forward and tear Piotr’s throat out.If I do, these gunmen will shoot.

Kat’s grief morphs into fury. “You’re a monster!” she spits, tears still shining on her cheeks. “I thought you were cruel before, but this, your own brother—”

“I said shut up!” Piotr glances her way, his face darkening. “I’ve had enough of your mouth, Kat. One more word, and I’ll allow one of my men to handle you.”

“Don’t threaten my wife,” I hiss, menace in my tone. One of the armed men takes a half-step toward me. He lifts his rifle, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of even flinching.

Piotr stares back at me, lips curling in a malevolent grin. “If you haven’t noticed, you’re in no position to give orders, Fetisov. One wrong move and I put a bullet in her, then you.”

Kat’s gaze darts to me and I see the question in her eyes.Are we truly helpless here?

“You disappoint me, Piotr.”

He scoffs. “As if I care. You’re not my father.”

I take a breath.“No,” I say, letting my voice drop. “He’s dead, because you killed him.”

A stifled sob slips from Kat. Vlad, half-unconscious, tries to lift his head. I can see confusion and horror in his one open eye. Out in the hallway, I hear footsteps as men shuffle around, likely ensuring no reinforcements can get in.I can only hope that Nikolai got my text.

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