Page 96 of The Wrong Monster

Her eyes meet mine.

“For being cruel. For hurting people. For whatever else he’s done. For being stupid enough to walk away from you, Zvezda.”

She swallows.

“I’ve wanted that,” she whispers. “For years.”

It’s a confession that makes something twist in my chest. That a woman like Matty, built for justice and truth, is sitting across from me in a rumpled dress, hair mussed, admitting that she wants revenge.

She has spent her entire life knowing there was a man out there who gave her his blood and nothing else. Now she’s sitting beside me, watching him live comfortably while she carries all the unanswered questions he left behind.

“You don’t have to do it yourself,” I tell her.

Her eyes shine.

“I know.”

For once, she doesn’t argue. She leans toward me, and I meet her halfway.

The kiss is gentle. Nothing like the heat between us that usually leaves me wondering what the hell I’m doing, though I am always deeply satisfied.

This is softer. A promise rather than a demand, like some kind of convoluted contract I’d never allow with any of the other people I strong-arm into working for or with me.

That’s what you did to her, I remind myself, trying to settle the ruptured feeling in my body. You brought her here and forced her to work for you. That’s the only reason she’s in this car.

When she pulls away, her forehead rests briefly against mine.

Across the street, Semiyon laughs again.

I look at him through the windshield. He has no idea that we’re here. No idea that the daughter he abandoned is sitting beside me, hunting him.

Two of Ariadna’s people will take over when we leave. I want the faces at that barbecue identified, the cars followed, the supply contacts behind his comfortable life. Kevin and his mother have protection; Semiyon gets a short leash while we find out who else is holding it. Then I’m coming back for him.

And no idea how much of his cozy life is about to change.

Chapter 27

Matilda

I wake before my alarm and lie still, staring at the ceiling, which I can’t even see it’s so dark.

For once, my mind is quiet. I feel grounded and more like myself than I have in weeks. Even after the meetings with Mikhail and visits to conference rooms and the courthouse.

It’s been two days since Vasily and I skulked into the Axton Estates to spy on my father. Something has changed since then; the staff look sideways at me, and Vasily has been tucked away elsewhere. It’s hard to get to him again.

Maybe seeing Semiyon helped reset some kind of broken compass I didn’t realize I had running inside me. Maybe talking to Vasily did.

Maybe I finally understand that not having Semiyon in my life wasn’t something I needed to fix. It was something that made me stronger. Better. Morally, emotionally, professionally. Whatever blood runs through my veins, it doesn’t define me.

I don’t know why that realization feels so freeing.

I get out of bed and start getting ready, already knowing what I need to do.

I need to apologize to Isla.

It’s been eleven days since we argued, and I’ve let my pride keep me from fixing something that matters.

I reach for my clothes and shake my head. It’s almost funny. Somehow, working for the Bratva has made me feel more centered than I have in years.