Page 7 of P.S. I'm With You
“You’ll regret all of this. You just wait.”
“Oh, baby.” I pout out my bottom lip. “Don’t go threatening me with a good time. In my womanly confusion, I might think you have feelings for me and I’ll be forced to submit to you.” He snorts as he grabs my elbow to usher me out of the room.
“Heh, sounds like a fun time.” He chuckles as his hand moves to my breast.
“Maybe for one of us,” I state while grabbing his hand and snapping the finger he used to poke me earlier. “I kill my partners after mating. You know how it is, get what you need and get out. No need for the mess.”
“Fucking bitch broke it!” he growls and cocks his fist back to strike me.
“Enough.” Fuck, I know that voice. Dominik was right, it’s Jakov. Inhaling a slow, annoyed breath, I turn to the tall, powerful man. He stands in his usual black combat pants and black shirt. He has a smirk on his face that I long to carve off and keep as a trophy.
“Kasapin,” he says softly, and I spit on the ground in front of him. The kid hits me in the back of the knees with the butt of his rifle.
“Pity,” I mutter while glaring up at the boy. “I was going to let you live.”
Jakov laughs lightly as he motions with his hand for his men to fall back.
“So, Nika.” Him saying my name sends a rage through me that I can’t allow him to see. “For years now I’ve served under you, watching and waiting. Planning the exact moment for me to reach out and take your empire. I’ll be honest, I thought it would be harder than this. But you made it too easy.” His smirk is cold and calloused. “A fucking kid, Kasapin.” He tsks as he circles me. “You can’t be the head of a criminal organization like ours and have such a weakness. Honestly, I did you a favor getting rid of the brat.”
“You fucking piece of—” I lunge for him, but stop at the sound of a rifle leveling at my head. “How did you know?” I grit out while trying to come up with a plan. I can’t allow Jakov to live. He lives, and there will always be a target on Dominik and Zora. How do I kill him before these idiots shoot me?
Jakov lets out a loud, cold laugh while stepping closer to me. “What do you take me for? A moron?”
“Well, if you’re ask—” Jakov silences me with his hand across my face.
“You are not in the position you think you are anymore. You are no longer Kasapin. You’re just a woman—a weak woman, a simple mother! I could’ve taken my rightful place years ago had I just snatched that brat!” In an instant, I grab the barrel of the boy’s rifle and yank it from him. He’s taken by surprise so it falls to me easily. I hear the men behind me, but pay them no mind as I level the gun at Jakov.
“You know what’s worse than a ‘weak woman’, Jakov? A man who thinks muscles equal true strength.” He huffs, but I see the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “You’re right, no one should fear a ‘simple mother’.”
My finger itches to pull the trigger. “They should fear a protective one.” I pull the trigger at the same time Jakov lunges toward me. The round hits his shoulder and his men rush me. I shoot two, and two others run, leaving me in a standoff with the kid and Jakov on the ground, screaming in pain.
“Drop your weapon!” the young man yells, and I hear the fear in his voice.
“No,” I rasp out. “Drop yours, little boy. This isn’t your fight. Leave, and I’ll never look for you.” He’s the first I’ve ever offered such a luxury to, but I can’t kill a boy, I can’t.
“Niko! Shoot the cunt!” Jakov screams at the boy.
“Niko,” I say slowly. “Please, I can’t let him live. You heard him, I have a daughter, I can’t allow him to continue to breathe the same air as her.” Niko looks conflicted as he shakes his head.
“I have a duty!” he yells while jerking his gun. “I’m sorry for your girl.” He raises his weapon but it’s too late. I watch the blood leave the bullet hole between his eyes before he falls to the ground in a heap.
“Ninety-eight,” I whisper out before turning to Jakov.
“You made me kill him, a child.” Jakov laughs lightly through his pain.
“Sometimes you have to make the tough choices when you’re fighting for power. Best to just not think about it and move on. So, I get to be the lucky hundred. The great Kasapin, a mass murderer. Heh, you know what’s really funny? You think I’m the only one in your circle who is gunning for you. You’ll never be free. You might’ve won against me, but there are others.” I hold my rifle up, aiming it at his face. I should do it, I should unleash into this fucker.
“Where is his mother?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Paris,” Jakov states. “I sent her to safety and she lives a happy life with her baby girl. Niko stays here and works for me as payment.” I close my eyes to stop the stinging sensation. Ican’t do this—never again. I put the gun over my shoulder and walk to Niko’s body.
“You deserved a better life. I am sorry. I will find your mother,” I whisper while taking the name patch off his uniform.
“Hey!” Jakov shouts as I walk away. “Don’t you fucking leave me! End me!”
“I’m done,” I call over my shoulder. “Kasapin is dead.”
“She’s not yet,” he grunts, and I hear rustling. “But she will be.” I turn and see him aiming Niko’s rifle at me. I hear the gun go off and stand in shock—waiting for, I don’t know, pain? Heaven? Hell? But nothing happens. I blink and Jakov’s face falls to the concrete floor. I look up and my heart is in my throat.
