Page 119 of Gilded in Blood

“He begged for his life before he died.”

Rage flashes across Michael’s face. He lunges, and his fist crashes into Maxim’s jaw. Then another, and another.

Michael finally steps back, breathing heavily. He wipes his knuckles against his trousers.

“No.” He smiles again. “I’m moving too fast. This will not end quickly.”

He points the baton toward Maxim. “My father suffered.” His voice drops to almost a whisper. “So will you.”

He smiles. “I’m going to make sure you beg. Just like he did.”

I pull against my restraints. “Michael.”

His attention shifts to me.

“You’ve got what you wanted.” I nod toward Maxim. “Us. Let the women go. They have nothing to do with this.”

Michael stares at me for a long moment, then he laughs. A wild, unhinged one that echoes around the basement.

“Oh, Kirill,” he shakes his head. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

He slowly walks toward Milana and Calina. “They have everything to do with this.”

He gestures toward the sisters. “They’re Morozovs.” He looks back at Maxim. “That family took everything from me.” He spreads his arms. “So now, I’m taking everything from them.” His gaze settles on Milana, then Calina, and back to Maxim. “Every single one of you is going to pay.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Kirill

Michael turns to me, disappointment written all over his face. “You should be ashamed of yourself, Kirill.”

He slowly shakes his head. He spreads his arms as though presenting me to the room. “This was supposed to be our operation.” His voice rises. “You were supposed to be standing beside me.” He points at Maxim. “Helping me make these people pay.”

Then his finger shifts toward Milana. “But instead…” A cruel smile spreads across his face. “You fell in love.” He lets out a mocking laugh. “All because of a woman.” He circles me slowly. “You traded everything for her.” He leans closer. “Tell me, was it worth it?”

I hold his stare. “It was.”

His smile disappears. Without warning, the baton slams into my ribs.

Pain explodes through my side. I grit my teeth, refusing to make a sound.

Another strike. Then another. Each blow sends fresh agony through my body, but I keep my eyes on him.

If he’s focused on me, he’s not touching Milana. Michael steps back, breathing harder than I am.

“You know what’s funny?” He chuckles darkly. “You could’ve had any woman you wanted.”

He tilts his head. “And now look at you.” He gestures to the ropes binding me to the chair. “Suffering because you chose the wrong one.”

I spit blood onto the floor. “I’d choose her again.”

His expression twists with rage. The baton comes down across my shoulder. A dull crack echoes through the basement. My vision blurs for a second, but I force myself to stay conscious.

Michael tosses the baton onto the workbench. “You know what?” He smiles again. “I think I’ve had enough fun with you.”

He slowly turns toward the women. My stomach tightens. “No.” The word leaves my mouth before I can stop it.

Maxim growls beside me. “Don’t.”