Page 85 of Royal Deception

“How many? Who’s behind it?”

Lev hesitates for a moment, and I take a step forward, making the chain rattle against his skin. “Answer me,” I order, my voice sharp.

He crumbles. “I don’t know the names. I was just supposed to get you to trust me long enough to hand over the files, then Volkov’s men would take care of the rest.”

A cold smile curls at my lips. This just got a whole lot more complicated. But at least now I have the thread I need to unravel it.

I nod to Lucky, who’s been silently watching the whole exchange. “Tie him up. Let’s get him somewhere more comfortable for the rest of the night.”

I nod to one of my enforcers, a big guy named Asher, who’s been waiting for this moment. He steps forward, his boots heavyagainst the concrete floor, and with one swift motion, he lifts Lev’s leg.

Lev’s eyes widen in terror. “Wait! No—please!” His voice cracks, desperate.

Asher’s arm comes down with brutal precision, the sound of bone breaking like a sickening snap through the room. Lev’s scream fills the warehouse, the kind of guttural sound that makes even the most hardened men flinch. But I don’t. I just watch him, cold and unwavering.

“Shut him up,” I mutter, and one of the others quickly presses a rag into Lev’s mouth.

I circle him again, my hand resting casually on my belt as I consider my next move. Lev’s breathing is ragged, his body twitching, and his eyes are wide with panic.

“You’re gonna tell me everything, Lev. And I’m gonna keep asking until I get what I need.”

Lucky steps up behind me, a grim look on his face. “Rory,” he says, voice low but sure, “We’ve got intel on his family.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lucky pulls out a tablet, scrolling through a few images, then showing me a live feed of a park. Lev’s eyes flick over to the screen, his expression one of pure dread as he recognizes the faces in the footage.

“Lev, we’ve got your brother Niko and his little girl, Darya, right here. They're at a park, aren’t they?”

Lev’s eyes widen, and he shakes his head, the rag muffling his pleading.

“No,” he whimpers, his voice barely a whisper. “Please don’t?—”

“You’re in no position to beg,” Lucky says, his tone even, but there’s a sharp edge to it. “You’ve got two choices. You work for us. You get us what we need, and your brother and niece walkaway, free and clear. You make the wrong choice, Lev, and I promise you—your family’s gone.”

I see the fear flood Lev’s face, his eyes darting to the men around him. He knows we’re not bluffing.

“I’ll get you the intel,” he finally gasps, his voice cracking as he gives in. “I’ll find out everything. Just don’t hurt them. Please.”

Lucky gives a curt nod. “Good choice.” He motions to Asher, who steps back, leaving Lev writhing in pain, but at least he’s breathing. For now.

I turn to leave, my footsteps echoing through the cold warehouse. Before I get too far, I pause, looking back at Lev one last time.

“If you cross us, Lev,” I say softly, “I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your brother’s head. Do I make myself clear?”

Lev’s gaze flicks to me, the terror still thick in his eyes. He doesn’t say anything, but I know he understands.

The man’s breathing is frantic now, his entire body shaking as the weight of what he’s agreed to sinks in. His eyes lock on mine, desperation seeping through every word.

“Please,” he begs, his voice cracking. “Please, I’ll do anything. Just don’t hurt Darya. She’s just a child. She’s innocent. She has nothing to do with this.”

His words are almost pathetic in their pleading, but I don’t show him an ounce of mercy. I don’t have the luxury of weakness.

“You’ve put me in a position where I have to make choices, Lev,” I say, my voice cold and even. “But you’ve made the right one for now. You get us the intel. You keep your head down, and maybe we’ll let your niece live the rest of her life.”

I give a single nod to Lucky, who steps forward with a small knife in his hand, the edge glinting under the fluorescent lights. Lev’s eyes go wide, his body instinctively trying to pull back, buthe’s too weak to fight. He can barely move with his leg broken, his body battered and bound.

“Let him go,” Lucky says, his voice calm, almost too calm. He grabs Lev’s pinky with a practiced hand, holding it firmly.