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“Faked your own death.”

I nod, wrapping my arms tightly around myself.

“Have you gone to the police about him?”

“I tried.” I let out a defeated laugh. “The first time he…” Beat me. I swallow down the words, shaking my head. “I called the police, but the person who showed up at my house ended up being a good friend of my husband’s. Garrett took my phone away after that.” A few tears manage to escape, trailing steadily down my cheeks. “Then one night, after he passed out in a drunken state, I ran away. I went to the nearest police station and got help from an older gentleman who told me to do as I’m told and listen to my husband. He called Garrett, who came to pick me up.” My throat burns as I try to hold back all the tears begging to be let free. “I ended up in the ER after that. He told everyone I fell down the stairs, but they knew why I was there. They all knew, and they did nothing to help.” I swipe my finger beneath my eyes. “I don’t think I’ll survive if he finds me this time.”

“You poor thing.” Maureen’s eyes are completely glossed over. She reaches for my hand and squeezes it gently. “You can stay with me. We’ll keep you hidden until things settle down.”

I show an appreciative smile. “Thank you. But I can’t put you in danger. Garrett has powerful friends, and they’ll kill anyone who gets in their way.”

Her forehead creases. “But may I ask you something?” I nod. “If you’re hiding from him, why are you going to New York?”

I glance up at the television, where reporters continue covering the breaking news of my death. They keep flashing the same photo from the last event I attended with Garrett. In it, I’m wearing a sparkling black gown that hides the bruises blooming across my stomach. And a smile that masks the sadness in my eyes.

“Because the only man who can help me escape is in New York.” I swallow past the lump in my throat, wiping away the last of my tears. “And if I don’t find him before Garrett finds me…” I meet her eyes, and I don’t have to finish the sentence for her to understand how it ends. “He’s my only chance of surviving.”

Chapter four

Alex

Blood splatters on my crisp white shirt, and I shut my eyes, slowly inhaling. Fuck. I don’t usually like getting my hands dirty. I prefer to use my gun to get the job done.

Easy. Simple. Clean.

But today, that changes.

Because today, they will all regret playing a role in her death.

My eyes sweep the room, landing on one dead body after another. Worthless guards who serve under Governor Garrett Johnson, a man not home and won’t be for at least a few hours. Not like he’ll be able to see what’s currently going on at his home anyway, since I overrode his entire security system, allowing him to see only what I want him to see.

“Mmm-mmm-mmmm,” the man garbles beside me, the tape sealed over his lips preventing him from speaking. His hands and ankles are tied to the chair. One eye sports a shiner, blood dripping from his nose and split lip. But as one of the guards responsible for watching over Charlotte, he deserves everything coming his way.

I crouch to eye level, my head tilting to the side as I observe perspiration gathering around his temple. “I’m going to give you two options.” I hold up one finger. “One, you tell me what I need to know, and I’ll give you a painless death.” I raise a second finger. “Or two, you don’t, and I’ll prolong your death as long as possible, ensuring it’s excruciatingly painful.”

The man’s bloodshot eyes widen.

I rip the tape from his mouth, and he smacks his lips together, his tongue snaking out to wet them.

“Talk,” I order.

“Listen,” he begins. “All I know is they went to Garrett’s house in Miami so he could meet with one of his business acquaintances to conduct a sale, but I have no fucking clue what for!”

I straighten and move to the chair across from him, pushing the dead guard aside before dropping into the seat. I adjust my blood-smeared leather gloves and stretch my fingers. “And who was this acquaintance?”

He swallows hard. “Mikhail Vasiliev.”

Heat floods through every cell in my body, igniting a rage unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

The Vasilievs are vicious, bloodthirsty monsters who think they have a right to sell women on the black market to gain a profit. Last fall, we killed the head of the family, Igor, after we found out about his involvement in Scarlett’s kidnapping. And recently, we started a war between our families by killing one of the five brothers, Kazimir, leaving Mikhail, Luka, Emil, and Alik to destroy.

I can only hope each one has a special place reserved in Hell when we’re through with them.

I tap my index finger on my thigh, my breath growing shallow. If Garrett were making a sale with a Vasiliev, I’d bet everything I own that it had to do with Charlotte.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I quickly pull it out, seeing a text from Vin.

Vin