But I am weak.
I wasn’t strong enough to see her like this. To see my beautiful swan break and to see another man touch her…hurt her…
I wasn’t strong enough to watch my woman cry and beg for the pain to stop. I couldn’t watch another man force himself between her legs.
Weak.
And my sweet myshka…
Her heart held a multitude of scars, deep, unhealed…yet it still beat with strength greater than mine.
My lips met the skin of her neck, and I kissed her there. Our fate had been sealed with one sweet kiss.
“We’ll be okay, Viktor.”
I wanted to believe that.
Pulling away, I threaded my fingers through her hair, caressing her scalp. Her eyes fluttered sleepily. “Go back to sleep, myshka.”
She hummed and closed her eyes. When I was sure she was asleep once again, I left the bed and got dressed. My feet were almost dragging behind me as I forced myself to leave her behind.
But it was time for business.
It was time for me to face Valentin and the outcome of tonight.
Chaos had been unleashed, and I had to deal with the aftermath.
Closing the bedroom door behind me, I ignored Yegor, who was standing outside, vigilant in his position. He walked behind me, and I felt his need to speak, but he knew better. So he kept his mouth shut. There was nothing to say…nothing could be undone.
I stilled when I felt a touch on my shoulder. Yegor moved closer to my back so he could whisper in my ears. “Straighten your shoulders, Viktor. This is your game.” Do not show Valentin your weakness.
At his words, I realized how fucking pathetic I must have looked. Standing straighter, I faced what was in front of me. I sent a silent thank you to Yegor for having my back.
We didn’t come from the same blood, yet we bled the same life.
Loyalty ran through our veins. Brothers.
The estate was silent. Dark and eerie. It was late and everyone was asleep. When I turned around the corner of Valentin’s hall, where his office was situated, I found his bodyguards there. The same fucking assassins guarding his door. His life.
This meant only one thing.
Valentin Solonik feared me.
He knew what I was capable of, so these fuckwads were his protection.
I stopped in front of Valentin’s office, facing his dogs. One of the men patted me down, and when they were sure I had no weapons, they let me in.
Walking inside, I found Valentin sitting behind his desk. His feet were up, crossed at the ankles. A lit cigar sat between his lips, and when I entered, his eyes lit up with a darkness that spoke to my own soul.
Valentin was gloating, as if he had already won.
“Come in. Take a seat, Konstantin.”
I stayed standing. “Whatever you have to say, hurry the fuck up. I’ve got better things to do, Valentin.”
He shrugged. “Why are you so grumpy? Was tonight not enough for you?”
I seethed at his words, feeling my blood boil, and I fought against myself.
He chuckled. “Son, take a seat and let’s have a drink. We have much to discuss. In fact, I have a deal for you. You won’t be able refuse this one.”
Realizing that I had to play this game his way, I took a seat, but not before snatching a bottle of vodka. I pulled the cap off and then brought the drink to my mouth, taking a huge gulp.
He wanted to play…fine, game on, motherfucker.
Chapter 20
Valentin Solonik
Two weeks ago
I watched the screen. Watched. Studied. Stared at it with unwavering eyes.
I watched Viktor Ivanshov fuck my wife.
And I smiled.
The camera had been hidden in her bedroom for the longest time. It was always there, although I never had to use it. Never needed it. Until now.
Until Viktor Ivanshov, the King’s dog…soldier, and my puppet came into my wife’s life.
Valeria was my alibi, my pet, my pawn…my whole fucking game plan.
And the two lovers easily fell into my trap. Now, they were playing my game…it was my labyrinth, and there was no escape.
They thought I was stupid. Blind to their acts and secrets. They thought I wouldn’t know how they were going behind my back, betraying me in my own estate…a world I had built with my own bare hands.
Viktor thought he had played me well.
Except…I was the one who played them.
While staying in the shadows, I bested them in their own games.
And oh, how fucking easy it was to play them.
I watched Viktor turn my wife onto her back so they were staring into each other. From my own screen, I could tell it was a loving look they shared. He thrust his cock in her used pussy. The same pussy I made bleed when I took her virginity. The same cunt I had used for seven years.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, keeping them locked. The way she caressed her hands over his shoulders and then scratched her nails through his hair…it was all a tender touch.