Page 116 of Deadly Knight

“Deal.” Seems fair, as long as she doesn’t use it to trick me.

“Ana.” With the summons, Anastasia appears at my shoulder and hands a switchblade to Vanessa, who taps the button on the side, the knife flicking upwards with a lowwhoosh. “I assume you don’t know how to use a gun, but take this.Use iton any of them if they come at you. Do not hesitate.”

“I won’t.” I slip the knife into the inner pocket of my sweater for now. “I can fight too—a bit. I’ve been taking lessons. I’m fast, according to my trainer.”

“That’ll be handy. Ready?”

I nod. Anastasia rounds the guys up and they all leave in an intense storm of black, filtering into the hallway. By the door, I scan my apartment one more time, hoping to see it again.

This time, with a Bratva Elite member by my side.

I don’t needto watch the tape. The day churns on repeat in my mind as though it was only yesterday.

“Let’s play, boys.”

I’ll kill them all for that comment alone. Rip their eyes out for even looking at her. Slice off their hands for thinking about touching her. Burn them alive for their roles in tonight’s events.

I try to catch Katya’s attention, but she’s slipping away as surely as she needs to. I want her to look at me, but I also want her to protect herself.

She has to be saved from this horror. If not by me, then who?

When the bald fucker undoes his pants, Katya’s stare meets mine across the room.That’s smart. Protect yourself. Don’t stay present.

She has to save herself because I failed. I’ve broken the vows made to keep her safe, and deserve to watch this, to witnessmy own peace shattering. The moment I lose her when it goes down.

Shedoesn’t deserve any of this, though.

My arms tighten, hauling on the rope for the millionth useless time.Take me, take me, take me.I’ll get down on my hands and knees for them if it saves her innocence. If it saves her from his horror. They can chop me up for all I care…so long as it’s not her. Never her.

The bald asshole kneels between her legs, about to take what only I’ve had, and I fucking lose it when he readjusts her leg before sliding near the parts of her that should never be touched by anyone she doesn’t give consent to.

“Get the fuck away from her!”

Katya’s eyes clench shut.

“I will murder you!”

He thrusts inside her.

I die inside.

She screams, the sound ripping the basest parts of my soul apart.

“You’re fucking dead. Your breaths are numbered. Enjoy this moment because tonight will be the final time you breathe easy.”

I failed her. She’s hurt. I fucked up. She’ll never look at me the same.

Katya whimpers as he finishes inside her and I’ve never been more thrilled for her birth control pill that she takes religiously.

“I will gut you. Make you eat your own heart while hanging from rafters with your intestines tied around your neck. Your buddies will choke on your cock right before they meet the same fate.”

No one’s listening. I don’t even know if Katya is present. God, I hope not.

Another replaces the first and he thrusts inside, Katya’s expression twisting in pain. I want to look away, but I don’t. I don’t deserve the peace found behind my eyelids. Katya’s getting violated physically; it’s only right I let myself be violated visually. It’ll never be the same, never be equal to her pain, but it’s something. I’d take it all if I could.

“Name whatever price you want. Whoever the fuck hired you, I’ll triple it. Houses, cars, boats. You name it, you have it. Get off her.”

I’m begging. Pleading.Bargaining.Papa always said never bargain with criminals because we are the authority. We’re the kings of sin and crime, but right now, I’ll be the poorest peasant and wear a crown of rusted metal on a throne of garbage if it’ll save her.