Page 55 of Ripped Lace (Ripped Bratva)

“And you didn’t?”

His question hangs in the damp air for an uncomfortable moment.

“The fuck did you just say to me?” I breathe eventually.

“You claim I forced myself on her,” he says, jutting his chin out at me. “Didn’t you do the same when you forced her to marry you?”

This fucking bastard. I’m an inch away from strangling the life out of him. But I have to restrain my anger for now. He knows more than he’s telling.

Easy, Phoenix,I tell myself.Focus. Stay on track.

“Are you the only with direct contact to Astra Tyrannis?”

“Yes. The powers that be speak to the world through me, their prophet.”

“Who do you meet with?”

“A man with no face.”

“The fuck does that mean?”

Instead of answering, Josiah bends his head and starts mumbling words I can’t quite catch.

Matvei moves forward. “You’re losing him,” he mutters to me.

“Like hell I am.” I reach out and snare Josiah by the front of his shirt. Rising to my feet, I drag him up and shake him like a ragdoll.

But he looks right past me. Eyes pinwheeling. Lips moving rapidly in some silent mantra or prayer.

“What do you know about Aurora and Yuri?” I demand.

He keeps mumbling. A stream of shit I don’t understand and don’t want to understand.

“Answer the fucking question!”

More mumbles.

Furious, I hurl him against the wall with all my might. He cries out as he knocks his head against the stones. When he slides down into a whimpering puddle, I see a trail of blood left behind.

It only inflames me.

“Answer me, motherfucker!” I yell as I pounce on him where he’s sprawled on the mattress.

I start punching him. He doesn’t defend himself in the slightest. His nose breaks underneath my fist. Other things crunch and bleed. I don’t stop. I don’t breathe.

I just want to destroy.

I’m seconds away from completely ruining his face when an arm grabs my own, preventing me from landing another blow.

“Phoenix!” Matvei’s voice lashes out. “Enough!” He hauls me up to my feet.

Beneath me, Josiah is a mess. His eyes are closed and to be honest, I’m not sure if he’s unconscious or dead at this point. I’m not even sure I care.

I storm right out of his cell. Matvei is hot on my heels.

“Phoenix,” he says softly. I know by his tone I’m not going to like what’s coming.

“What?” I snap, not stopping.

---