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His eyes glint.
“You tried to kill him before,” I say, louder this time, the realization making my blood run cold. “You almost did.”
He doesn’t deny it.
Ryan chuckles, shaking his head. “Damn, she’s quicker than I expected.”
My father smirks, unbothered. “Of course I did. And it almost worked.”
My breath comes too fast.
My hands curl into fists. “You could have killed me too, you know. I was in the car.”
He waves a hand dismissively. “I knew you’d survive. But Mikhail?” He lets out a slow exhale. “I needed him gone. I still do.”
Rage surges through me. “You’re a fool,” I spit. “You think taking him out puts you at the top? You think his men will just fall in line, that the other families will suddenly respect you?”
His jaw ticks. “They will when they see he was weak enough to fall. The Bratva only respects power, Lila. And I’m the only one left strong enough to hold it.”
I laugh harshly, bitterly, shaking my head. “You don’t get it, do you? Even if you kill him, you’ll never be him.”
My father’s smile vanishes, his eyes narrowing, the carefully constructed mask of charm slipping away.
And for the first time?—
I see the fury underneath.
“You think I want to be him?” he sneers, his voice dropping low, dangerous. “I don’t need to be Mikhail. I just need to get rid of him.”
My heart pounds, but I don’t back down. “You won’t win,” I say, meeting his gaze head-on.
His lip curls, like he finds me pathetic. “You still don’t get it, do you, sweetheart?” he says, his voice mocking. “I already won.”
Before I can respond, he tilts his head toward Ryan, giving him a sharp nod. “Do it.”
Ryan grins, lifting his gun toward my mother.
Panic slams into me.
“NO!” I lunge forward, instinct taking over, shoving myself between them. “Don’t!”
Ryan scowls, not lowering his gun. “Move, Lila.”
My chest heaves, my pulse roaring in my ears. “You want power, right? You want leverage?” I swallow hard, trying to think fast. “Then use me.”
Ryan raises a brow, glancing at my father.
My father’s expression doesn’t change. “You really think you mean more to him than his empire?” he muses, like he’s considering the idea.
I take a shaky breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
“You don’t know what he’d do for me,” I say, steady, certain. “But you’re about to find out.”
Ryan snorts. “Bold words.”
But then a loud crash sounds from the front of the warehouse.
And I know?—