I became the Beast.
With a quick twist and roll, I pinned Damien beneath me, wrapping my arm around his neck and squeezing him into an arm triangle chokehold. He bucked and jerked beneath me, fighting back in a violent rage. I closed my eyes, pressing into him and holding on tightly.
I thought of Tim in that moment, the night I’d had to fight him to be accepted into the Bratva and how Tim had been good-natured afterwards about getting his ass kicked.
He’d been my best friend ever since. I had found acceptance within the Bratva that night, the brotherhood becoming my new family. But Tim had been the most accepting of everyone, and he’d never held a grudge against me.
And then Damien, my own flesh and blood, had killed Tim. The funny guy who teased me, made silly jokes, and caused me to laugh even at the most ridiculous things. My best friend.
My lungs seized up, choking off my air.Tim.
Damien’s not family. He’s the enemy.
Then my conscience tried to intervene, reminding me of my failure.
You left him. He’s all fucked up because of you. You should be punished, not him.
Guilt swept in, trying to strangle me. I inhaled sharply, forcefully shoving it back.
Right now, I could not feel. Right now, I had to focus on eliminating the threat.
Damien fought and squirmed violently, bucking and kicking in my hold, but this time, I wasn’t letting go. This time, Icouldn’tlet go.
This was a fight to the death.
I hung on tighter than I ever had before.
My muscles strained.
My heart thundered.
My mind shut down.
And I held on…
Until he finally went limp.
Then I hung on a bit longer, waiting, making sure he couldn’t come back. Making sure he couldn’t hurt Annika, or anyone else, ever again.
Only then, after I was absolutely certain he was dead, did I let him go.
I rolled away, a scream of agony ripping from my lungs. “Whyyyy?”
I’d just killed my baby brother.
Because I’d had no other choice.
And Annika had witnessed it all.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Annika
“Adrik?”
He blinked, his gaze darting to me. Tears streamed down his cheeks, the expression on his face one of pure anguish.
A sob rose up my throat, pushing free. Tears welled in my eyes, quickly flowing over.