Page 252 of Maddening Fixation

Ten years of waking up every morning knowing someone wanted me dead.

I had dreamed of this moment more times than I could count.

Now it was finally here.

“Remove the tape.”

My voice was calm. Almost emotionless.

The guards immediately moved.

One of them stepped forward and ripped the duct tape away from Sokolov’s mouth.

The sound of it tearing filled the room.

Sokolov gasped violently, choking as he dragged air into his lungs. Saliva and blood mixed at the corner of his mouth as he coughed.

His face twisted with pain.

“Do whatever you want with me.”

His voice was barely recognizable.

“But please...” His eyes lifted toward mine. “Don’t touch my family.”

“I won’t touch Yarina.”

His expression shifted slightly.

“She saved my life.”

My voice hardened.

“When my own brother tried to drown me in the lake at the Flynn estate, she jumped in without hesitation and risked her own life to save me. When I had no one, she was the one who stayed by my side. She wrote back to every letter I sent from prison, even when no one else came to see me.”

I stepped closer.

“I repay my debts.”

The relief that briefly appeared on his face disappeared when I continued.

“But your precious Juliet?”

His eyes widened.

“She will bear the weight of every sin you’ve committed.”

My jaw tightened.

“Being my wife does not protect her.”

I watched the fear return.

“She betrayed me.” The words tasted bitter. “And now she will answer for it.”

Sokolov stared at me.

“As we speak, she’s locked away in a dark basement.”