“I’m sure he gave you a consolation prize though—a trafficked girl to tide you over. Did you cut her up like you did your granny?” Ivan lunged for me but halted when Kristian pulled out his gun and aimed it at his head, tumbler still in hand. “Yeah. I wouldn’t if I were you.” Alexei got to his feet. Besides in the hospital, this was the first time I’d ever viewed him so passive and defeated. At this point, revenge was a nonissue. The man was slowly killing himself. He met my gaze with venom. “You’ve murdered my son.” I raised a brow. “You almost killed him when he strangled one of your expensive girls to death.” I shrugged an indifferent shoulder. “So I didn’t really think it would be an issue.” His eyes flashed. “You have my daughter in your hands now, so I have no choice but to end this now. I can’t afford to lose her on top of Dimitri with more war.” I didn’t exactly have his daughter . . . though he must assume she’d chosen my side by taking that bullet for me. The thought brought me back to the second I noticed what she’d done, and my chest tightened. If she would have died and taken all her sunshine with her . . . fuck. The idea made me sick and made me see red at the same time. “It’s a good excuse, Alexei, but we both know you’ ve lost your touch. If Moscow wasn’t mine, it would have been another’s by now.” His jaw tightened as he held in a retort, and then he turned to the door. “Come, Ivan.” As Ivan picked up the severed head and followed his owner like a lapdog, I said with feigned concern, “And I might reconsider your hiring process.” “Go to hell, D’yavol,” Alexei snapped. “Can you guys mix it up a little?” I returned with annoyance. “Your insults are tired.” After they both left, Kristian drawled, “Well, that was unexpected.” Agreed. Not a single person died. I stood up and rounded the desk. “Where are you going?” Kristian asked. “To rehearse,” I announced and walked out. I realized Mila might need some space. I didn’t like the idea—in fact, every cell demanded I drag her back to my bed where she belonged just to