Page 64 of Unholy Tsar

A supplier from Russia who’s big enough to juggle a large-scale drug business between New York, California, and God knows where else? Fuck. That’s bad news for us.

“I’ve told you everything I know. Please, spare my life. Please.”

“Do you think we’re doing this because of your pathetic drug business?” I ask, speaking to him for the first time since we tied his ass to that chair. “That was just a little side story. I don’t give a shit about any of it.”

“W—what? Why else would I be on Maksim Smolov’s radar?”

Well, well. So, he recognizes me. Huh. I take a few steps forward and Dante moves aside so Trey’s full attention is on me. “Cecilia Bianchi. Does that name ring any bells?”

He frowns. “How the fuck do you know about—”

“Answer me!” I roar.

The fear in his bloodshot eyes explodes, and he stammers out, “Yes, I know Cecilia Bianchi. She’s my fiancée. Last I heard—”

“Ex-fiancée,” I correct him. “Continue.”

“Last-last I heard, she was in New York. I’d been trying to track her down because I was worried about her. I sent men, but they’ve been having trouble making contact. Apparently, she’s being protected by some big shot, and—” His eyes widen in dismay as he puts two and two together. “You.”

“That’s right. Me.” I press my hand down on his stump, and he throws his head back, squealing like a little girl. “Your worst nightmare.”

I let him go, and he slumps forward, blood dripping from his mouth onto the floor. I may have broken a few of his teeth in the scuffle before we got him tied down.

“I—I had no idea that she was yours now, I swear! You—You can have her. I won’t send my men after her anymore. She’s yours now, so please, just please, don’t kill me. Please,” he babbles and starts to sob.

Weak. I almost wish Cecilia could see him in this state and realize how pathetic this scumbag really is. If I had my way, she’d shoot him herself. But I know better than that now.

She needs to be protected from this darkness, not dragged further into it.

She’s dealt with enough shit for one lifetime. Now, it’s time for me to shield her from it.

“Fool. You had that girl and you let her go? You had her at the altar and you ran away? Idiot. You don’t run away from a woman like that. You run toward her. Fast.”

“I know, okay? I know,” he groans miserably. “That’s why I was looking for her—to beg her forgiveness and get her back.”

“It’s too late for that, Trey. The only thing you have to look forward to now is hell. Say hello to the devil for me when you get there.”

“No, no no, please I–” His head jerks back as Dante shoots him in the forehead. Life slowly drains from his eyes, and he stares vacantly up at the ceiling, his thoughts and words disappearing into a dark void.

“Dispose of the body and clean up here. I’m going back to the hotel.”

Dante nods, and I leave.

When I get back to our room, Cecilia is fast asleep. I toss my bloodied clothes into the hamper in the bathroom—my men will take care of it tomorrow—and take a hot shower. Once I’m done, I crawl into bed with my girl.

“Sweet dreams,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms. She snuggles into my body, and I smile, pressing a kiss to her temple before closing my eyes as well.

I’ve decided to bring her to Russia with me. We leave in the morning.

Tomorrow, we’ll finally get to the bottom of this anonymous supplier disturbing my empire. And I’ll show Cecilia the world I came from.

Though I can’t introduce her to my mother, I can introduce her to the country of my birth. The country I lost my family in.

Soon, it will be the country where I start a new life.

A life with her.

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