Page 120 of Devious Corruption

“Why?” Marco lifts a shoulder. “He wants this little feud to be over, anyway. I get rid of them, it’s over.”

“So, you get rid of them, then we can start over. I’ll take a backseat. Fall in line.” Tony promises with a tremor in his voice.

“Even though I’m going to take out your little girl here?”

Tony doesn’t hesitate. “I was finished with her, anyway.”

Elana jerks back like she’s been slapped.

“I have bigger plans than getting married and popping out a bunch of kids,” he says, his demeanor strengthening. He doesn’t even look at Elana.

The door opens, and Michael walks in; behind him file Lev and Vas.

“Oh, good.” Marco laughs. “But where’re the Volkovs?”

Michael swallows. “They didn’t come.”

Elana’s pain rolls off her, mingling with my own.

I guess we both have brothers who have disappointed us.

“Let Maxine go, Marco.” Lev demands.

Just like him to barge into a room and take over everything. Doesn’t he see he doesn’t have the upper hand here? He can’t simply bark orders and expect the men with the guns to get in line.

“Not yet.” Marco shakes his head. “Keith, get your sister, put her against the wall there and strip her down. I think I might want to have some fun before we get started with the negotiations.”

Michael pulls his gun from his holster when Lev looks ready to lunge and presses it into his side.

“Keith, no.” Joey tries to grab Keith, but he’s already moving.

“Let’s go.” Keith yanks me from my chair.

“Keith, don’t do this. Don’t. Please, I’m your sister. How can you?” I beg him as my heavy feet drag over to the spot Marco ordered.

Keith looks me in the eyes and for a moment, I think this whole thing has been a farce. He’s been playing Marco.

“For fuck’s sake, Maxine. You’re not our sister. You’re just the stupid girl who did whatever we asked her to do.We let you say that; we let you think that, because you were good at helping us. That’s all.”

As he reaches for the neckline of my shirt, I drive my knee up.

He drops like a sack of potatoes.

The lights go out, casting everything into darkness. A loud bang, like a firecracker, goes off. An order bellowed; I can’t tell which language it’s in.

Another bang.

A crack, followed by a bright flash.

I lunge forward, thinking to rush toward the direction Lev was in, but a hand clamps around my throat.

I’m dragged against the wall.

“Shhh, it’s okay. It’s me.” Lev’s voice lingers moments after he speaks. “Stay right here; don’t move, Max. Just stay here.”

I nod, though I’m not sure he can see me in the darkness.

I’m left against the wall. Keith moans at my feet. He grabs my ankle, but I kick him off then kick again. I must hit his face, because there’s a crunching sound, then he cries out again.