I leaned my head to the side. “What did I need to do first again? I didn’t hear you.”
Leonid cried.
“Quiet.”
I went to the sharpened knives on the cutting board. “Tell me about the Xecutioners.”
Leonid blinked some of the stew away from his eyes. “Hiro is the Dragon’s brother.”
I snapped my attention to him. “What?”
“T-that’s his brother. H-half-brother. They share the same father, but have different mothers.”
“Interesting.” I picked up the butcher knife and twisted it around. “How does that help me?”
“Hiro wants to get rid of the Dragon, but I don’t think he’ll ever kill him.”
I walked over to Leonid. “Why not?”
“Honor or something like that.”
“Does the Dragon want to kill Hiro?”
“I don’t think so. I had a deal with the Dragon to hand the Xecutioners over. I didn’t know what he would do with them.”
“Anything else?”
Tears left Leonid’s eyes. “Please. . .don’t kill me.”
“I won’t kill you immediately, Leonid.”
He widened his eyes.
“I’m going to take my time.” I lowered and kneeled in front of him. “First I’m going to start with each toe. I’m going to cut it off, one by one.”
Leonid screamed.
Smiling, I leaned his way. “I’m going to put the toes in your mouth so I don’t have to hear your voice anymore.”
“P-please, Misha. I-I have money—”
“Then I’ll take off parts of each leg.” I glanced over my shoulder and spoke to my men. “Someone record this. I want the other families to see what happens when they fuck with me.”
I turned back, knowing that it would be handled. “When I cut off your little dick, that’s when the fun will really happen. I’ll take your toes out of your mouth and put your dick in their place. Have you ever sucked your own dick before?”
“Misha, i-it was my grandfather. W-what could I do? I-I had to retaliate.”
“Let’s hope you love the flavor of your own dick.” I gestured to his feet. “Take his shoes and socks off.”
“Misha, don’t do this. I-I have money!”
“You took my daughter and made her cry.” I pierced him with my gaze. “I’m going to take as long as I can with you. I’m going to cut around your spine and vital organs. Keep you alive as long as possible. And trust me, Leonid, I’m going to enjoy every inch of meat I slice off, every fucking cut.”
He screamed, and I began.Chapter 31
Ava
When the limo pulled up to the building, Yefim climbed out and held the door.
I got out.
Scowling, Valentina held Natalya closer to her. The little one had stopped crying. Currently, she pulled at Valentina’s diamond earrings and giggled.
That’s his daughter. Wow. Misha is a father. I still can’t believe it.
I turned my attention back to Valentina who didn’t look pleased to see me.
She sneered. “Where is Misha?”
“Busy killing the man who kidnapped you.”
“That’s not good enough. He should have killed him before he took Natalya and me.”
I gestured to the limo. “I have bottles of water, sandwiches, fruit, and—”
“Are we going on a picnic?”
I struggled to keep my composure. After all, she was the person who murdered my best friend. Misha’s baby mother or not, I wouldn’t have minded her dying today.
If Natalya weren’t involved in your kidnapping, I wouldn’t have volunteered to help. I would have stayed in Misha’s bunker, smiling and doing pirouettes all day.
I forced a smile on my face. “Where would you like to go, Valentina?”
“In my limo?”
I quirked my brows. “Your limo?”
“This belongs to the Brotherhood.”
“No. This is Misha’s limo.”
“Misha belongs to the Brotherhood as well as I. You’re the only one that doesn’t belong.”
“That’s fine. Since I came to Russia, I’ve been used to not belonging. Do you want a ride in your Brotherhood limo or not?”
“Take me straight to Misha.”
“That is not happening.”
“Oh really? You think you’re going to protect him?”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
She turned to Yefim. “Why were you sitting in the limo with her? That’s inappropriate.”
Yefim gave no response.
Valentina walked forward, passed me, and climbed into the limo with Natalya. “Make sure he rides upfront. I’m tired of seeing men today.”
I glanced at Yefim. “Go ahead. I’ll be fine.”
Yefim lowered his voice. “I don’t want you to be alone with her.”
“This is the mother of Misha’s daughter. If I’m going to be with him, then I’ll have to deal with her eventually.” I pointed to the front of the limo. “I’ll be fine.”
I climbed in, grabbed my purse, unzipped it, and placed it on my lap.
Frowning, Yefim closed the door.
I put my hand in the purse and held my gun. I wasn’t stupid. I knew Valentina thought that she could get Misha’s little ballerina alone and bully her. Too bad for her, I’d been bullied enough in this cold, crime-riddled country. I was finding that I didn’t enjoy being pushed around anymore.
Valentina sat across from me. Natalya spotted the bottles of juice and reached for them.