Page 105 of Silent Ties

“Put your fucking gun down.” Max’s voice alone would kill any other opponent.

Marissa stands proud, but the fury whirling on her face is new. This isn’t the snarky, street smart bitch who took over her husband’s operations. Savage hate propels her forward, as she takes a step.

“I believe my son asked you to put your fucking gun down.”

The room shifts again.

I’m a quiet storm, breaking and taking everyone by surprise. Marissa is the terror in the night, the life of drugs and sex every parent warns their kid away from.

Lev Zimin is something else entirely. The ripple of power is subtle. Building until the quaking throws you to your knees.

Even Max on his silent days is nothing like this mountain of a man. He towers above us, taller than any six-foot man. His shoulders are square yet not an ounce of tension tightens his muscles.

He approaches with soft footsteps, his black suit jackettailored to his body. Marissa might think he stands right beside me, but Lev angles his body, subtly pushing me back.

“Put down the gun, Marissa.”

It remains trained on me.

Casually, he places his hands in his pockets, smirking. “I’m standing in front of you yet you’re more intent on putting a bullet in my daughter’s head. Play smarter and maybe you’ll get somewhere someday.”

“I have plenty of bullets,” Marissa spits out. “One for her. One for you.”

“Dima,” Lev calls over his shoulder. “How many bullets do you have?”

“I’d hate to give away the element of surprise but it’s safe to say enough bullets to shoot her dead the moment she goes for the trigger.”

“Oh, Dmitri, how I fucking loathe you!”

“It’s pretty fucking mutual.”

Max creeps closer to me.

“I’ll get him too,” Marissa says, her words growing tighter.

“You really that upset I took out Davison?” Of course now my husband begins to understand sarcasm. “I did you a fucking favor.”

“I’ll do you all a fucking favor,” Marissa shouts. “You fucking piece of shits, all of you!”

Lev raises his hand. “Why don’t we all calm down.”

“Go to hell, Zimin. You in your fucking suit and tie acting like a god damn god. You want a fucking war? Is that what this is? Sending in my own girl to take me out.”

“I’m not your girl.”

“Fuck off, Russet Smith, with your piece of shit superiority complex. You’re a god damn cumbucket for these Russian assholes, you little slut.”

“Shut your fucking mouth,” Max growls.

I step forward, silencing everyone. “No more wars, Marissa.”

The gun holds steady, her aim true.

I have a death wish, though, because I take another step forward despite the weight of Lev and Max’s gazes on me.

“Give me the key,” I demand.

Fury burns in her eyes, her brow wrinkling. “She fucking deserved it.”