Page 17 of King of Shadows

My cheeks warm. “Stop.”

“I’m just saying. Some of us are struggling out here.”

I shake my head, smiling as I look down at the flowers. Maybe I need to stop trying to predict how this ends and just enjoy what I have right now.

That evening, I’m supposed to meet Kazimir for a movie. We’ve barely seen all week, so I’m already looking forward to it when I get home. Then my phone buzzes. I pick it up, expecting a message telling me he’s on his way.

Instead: I’m sorry, baby. I won’t be able to make the movie tonight. Something came up.

I stare at the message. Something came up.

For some reason, an uneasy feeling settles in my stomach.

Kazimir

The pathetic fool hanging in front of me looks like he’s been run over by a truck. His face is swollen and bloodied, his breathing uneven as he struggles to keep his head up. I stare at him without feeling a damn thing.

“I hate being kept away from my girlfriend, Dan. And right now, being here with you is keeping me away from her.”

His eyes flicker toward me. “I’m…sorry.”

I step closer. “So let’s save us both the time. I’m going to ask you a question, and you’re going to give me the answer I need. We make this quick, and this ends. And I’ll make sure your family doesn’t suffer because of your choices.”

His lips tremble. “Please…”

I snap my fingers, and Lev immediately pulls his phone from his pocket. He taps the screen and holds it out. The man’s eyes widen. His wife, and sons. All bound and terrified.

His entire body jerks against the restraints. “Please! Don’t hurt them! Please!”

Lev takes the phone back. “I wouldn’t hurt them. I’m not heartless.”

I step closer. “In fact, I wouldn’t even hurt you if you’d kept your loyalty where it belonged. But no, you decided to betray me.”

My expression hardens. “And there is one thing I hate more than almost anything else.” I lean toward him. “Betrayal. So let’s make this easy. Tell me who sent you to intercept that shipment and kill my soldiers.”

“Please…”

I shake my head. “The men you killed weren’t strangers, Dan. They were trusted men. Men with wives, children, families waiting for them to come home. Just like you. Some of them were your friends. And you turned on them because someone put money in your hand.”

He closes his eyes, regret washing all over him. But it’s too late for that.

“Now I’m the one who has to go to their families. I have to look their wives in the eyes and explain why their husbands aren’t coming home. I have to tell their children why their fathers won’t walk through the door ever again.”

I stare directly into his eyes. “Because you betrayed them.”

“Please. It wasn’t my intention.”

“Who are you working with?” I already know the answer. I just need him to confirm it.

His lips part. “Vadim.”

So he’s infiltrated my own men. That’s worse than an attack from the outside. Anyone can come after me. But when one of your own turns against you, that’s when the real danger begins.

“Do you know where Vadim is?”

The man nods. He gives me the location where he always met with Vadim, and everything he knows about his operation. When he’s finished, I nod.

“Good.”