Lies of My Monster: A Dark Mafia Romance(19)

When I stare up at him, it’s like I’m looking at a raging monster.

I’ve always thought of him as one, but this is the first time I’ve actually been afraid of him and what he might do to reach his goal.

“You should’ve let me die while you had the chance.” He leans down and squeezes my chin between his harsh fingers. “I’ll make you regret playing with me when I turn your life into a living fucking hell.”





7





KIRILL





I’ve always been proud of my ability to remain calm. It took me some time for that side of me to grow, but as soon as I was out of my teenage phase, no one could get into my head.

Not my parents, not my siblings.

No fucking one.

I’ve always been self-sufficient and entirely self-reliant. As a result, it’s impossible for anyone to provoke me.

That steel-like will is being tested to its limits right now. Or more like, since that fucking Russia episode.

Every night, when I’m all alone, I stare at the two ugly stitched holes in my chest and replay the scene on that hill. The images of the man who opened fire and of Aleksandra standing right beside him plague me.

The complex feelings I had at that moment refuse to be erased. It’s been three and a half weeks since the incident. A week and a half since she snuck into my room, apologizing and promising to do anything so I would forgive her.

Anything but disclosing the identity of her fucking lover who was out to kill me.

And she helped him.

I flick my hand on the desk, sending the house of cards flying in all directions.

Viktor and Yuri, who are sitting opposite me relaying updates about the club and the cartel, freeze at my sudden burst of motion. Something they’re definitely not used to.

“If it’s about the cartels,” Viktor starts. “Don’t worry, Boss. Yuri and I will keep them occupied until you’re in better shape to personally meet them.”

“You don’t even have to,” Yuri supplies. “Juan doesn’t come all the way from Mexico. He sends his underlings. It’s neither disrespectful nor strange that Viktor and I take care of these shipments on your behalf. As for the club, Maksim and your late father’s senior guards are doing a good job keeping everything in check.”

I nod absentmindedly, just so they’ll think this irrational fucking mood is indeed about the state of affairs.

After they’re done with their daily reports, Yuri leaves, but Viktor lingers behind and locks the door.

He stands in front of the desk, legs shoulder-width apart and hands clasped. “I have gathered some information about the attack in Russia.”

I pause picking up my cards, then continue. “And?”

“I used the trackers you had on Lipovsky to pinpoint the location’s coordinates. The warehouse in that area as well as the surrounding landscape and my placement are almost identical to that of the warehouse where we had the last Special Forces mission.”

So my gut was right. That place was linked to the cursed mission where I lost my men. I was so sure Roman was behind the whole scheme, but maybe there’s more to it.

I neatly stack the bottom row of cards. “Have you figured out who owns that place?”

“According to our last mission, it’s insurgents and illegal weapons dealers, and while that’s true to an extent, I believe there may be hidden information about that particular mission.” He pauses. “You know of the Belsky Organization scheme, right?”

“The organization that clashed against the government and stored weapons, only for them to be wiped out?”

“That’s public and military general knowledge, but it’s neither as simple nor as justifiable as the tales indicate.”

I keep building my house despite the volatile nature of my dimming patience. “I don’t see why the Belsky Organization has anything to do with those two warehouses.”

“They were owned by the family.”

My gaze meets Viktor’s through the small triangles. “Didn’t the military have them wiped out?”

“Not all. It’s impossible to locate the entirety of their warehouses, considering they kept them hidden in places even the KGB doesn’t tread near. They could also have allies in those areas to help maintain their anonymity.”

“You’re talking as if they’re still alive.”

“I suspect that a few members are, yes. Otherwise, those warehouses wouldn’t have remained functional.”

“Some other group could’ve gotten hold of them.”

“They could, but it’s highly unlikely. That organization operated like a cult and no one aside from their inner circle members are aware of their strategic weapon vaults.”

“So you think the Belsky Organization members are the ones behind the last Spetsnaz mission failure and my getting shot?”

“It’s a possibility, yes. I’m not saying the late Mr. Morozov didn’t have a hand in it as well, but all the arrows point in their direction.”

“Riddle me this, Viktor.” I clasp my hands to form a steeple at my chin and lean my elbows on the table. “Why would they target me when I’ve never dealt with them?”

“Could be a mercenary mission or for a reason we’re not aware of. Their guards certainly turned into rogue assassins who are only interested in money after the organization's famous cleansing.”