Page 84 of Tarnished Tyrant (Zhukova Bratva 1)

But even as I say the words, I’m tiptoeing past the conference room towards the voices. Towards Nikolai’s office.

Call it a death wish. An instinct for self-destruction. More likely than not, I got it from my mama.

The closer I get, the clearer the voices are. But I still can’t understand them. Because they’re speaking Russian, I realize all at once.

As soon as that clicks into place, the right filter flicks on and bits and pieces start making it through to me.

“…The man was a no one,” an unfamiliar voice says. “I don’t give a fuck about him, but I was almost caught.”

“But you weren’t.”

Nikolai. I know that’s him. No matter the language, his voice is rich and laconic.

“I’m your second. You should have warned me this was coming. I could have prepared better.”

“I didn’t know it was going to happen,” Nikolai replies.

“Bullshit! You know everything, you arrogant ass.”

I’m shocked that anyone could speak to Nikolai like that and get away with it, but somehow, the man doesn’t make the insult sound like an insult. It sounds like an endearment. I get the sense Nikolai and this guy are close.

“I had to show Giorgos that I’m not fucking around,” Nikolai says. “I made a threat, and I had to follow it through.”

“Even if killing that asshole ruined your date?”

Suddenly, the hallway feels like it is closing in on me. Nikolaikilledsomeone? Tonight? During dinner?

I saw the speck of blood on his collar and the crusted blood on his knuckles. Clear proof that I chose to ignore. Because it was too messy? Because I was afraid? All of the above, probably.

But I can’t ignore it anymore.

“It wasn’t a date,” Nikolai barks. “I was there to gather information. Belle knows too much.”

Danger. Danger. Danger.

The word flashes in my head, a neon warning sign telling me to turn and run.

“I have to get out of here,” I gasp, trying to convince my legs to get with the program.

My body feels off balance. Panic constricts my lungs, and I feel like I’m running in a nightmare, my feet trudging through quicksand.

The conference room is straight ahead. I need to hold my shit together until I can grab my laptop and then I can get out of here. Away from the murderous businessman.

Fuck, how did I not see it sooner? He kidnapped Elise. He told me he is God in this city. Why didn’t I listen?

He said I know too much. Does that mean he plans to shut me up? How far will he follow me? What will he do when he catches us?

A fresh wave of panic washes over me, and I reach out to steady myself against the wall.

And as I do, I hit a light switch.

The lights above me flicker on.

Then, my worst nightmare, the entire hallway buzzes to life, the fluorescents cranking on to full brightness and droning like a swarm of bees.

“Fuck.”

19

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