King of Ruin

by Sasha Leone

“How does that work if I’m free to refuse whatever I don’t feel like doing? You’re contradicting yourself.” “You’re free to refuse whatever I ask of you. What I crave is for you to want what I ask of you. To need it. You will learn to please me, little deer. And in the process, you will discover the pleasure in doing so. Does that make sense?”

“So you are talking about sex.”

“Like I said, you don’t have to fuck me unless you want to. But you will want to. That’s part of the fun.”

“I’m telling you the truth. I only want to help you. I didn’t bring you here to suffer, Natalya. But nothing in this world is free. All I ask in return is that you listen.” “Why?” she demands. “Why me? I’m nothing.”

Fuck, she’s beautiful. Those ocean-blue eyes crash around my stone heart. I feel a speck of rock break loose. “I see potential in you,”

“And I believe it’s a shame you’re being held back by petty things like working, money, and stupid men. I want you to flourish. I want you to reach your potential… and I want to be the one who gets you there. I’m going to shape you into the kind of woman I need, little...

“Those are pretty words,” she weakly fights back. I move toward her. “Pretty words for a pretty girl.”

“You’re not smooth.”

“I can be rough instead… if that’s what you’d prefer?” That makes her gulp. “No. I’m fine, thank you.” “Have it your way.”

“Are you ashamed of me or something?” I can only laugh. “Quite the opposite, little deer. Quite the opposite…” Letting her mull that one over, I cross the room to the door.

“Your mystery girl. Are you sure she’s worth all of this effort?”

“Yes. And don’t you fucking dare ask me that question again. Hell, don’t even think it. Understand?’ Valentin visibly stiffens. “Yes, Pakhan.” “Good,”

“Someone hit the Utyuzhin Bratva,” Ilya announces. I jerk around so fast I almost get whiplash. “What the fuck do you mean—hit it?” “Wiped them out,”

“As in—all gone—dead—finished—kaput. The Utyuzhin bratva is no more. It doesn’t exist. It was wiped off the face of the Earth.”

“Why the fuck am I only hearing about this now?” “It just happened,” Ilya calmly explains. “When?” “About an hour ago,” Valentin

“But I didn’t get the message until just before you got in the chopper—that’s less than fifteen minutes ago.”

“So… they’re al...

“Sounds like it. From what I’m hearing, they were ambushed at a strategy meeting in the South Side warehouse where the...

No. She’s safe. She’s mine. She’s not going anywhere. Focus.

“The moment we land, you’re getting in a car and heading back to Rock River.”

“What? Why?” he asks, shocked. “I need someone I trust there to look after Natalya.” ...

And when that’s done, I’ll return to Natalya. She’ll be my reward. Hopefully, she learns to fall in line while I’m gone. Because I might not have the patience to put up with her if she doesn’t. No more holding back. It’s time to remind everyone who I really am. The devil.

Yet Andrei was still interested. He is still interested. Why? What’s his deal?

I can’t help but feel there’s some sinister undertone to all this. Well, I mean, obviously there is, but is the danger directed more at me or at everyone else? It’s hard to tell.

Screw living in some penthouse overlooking the city. This is real luxury.

Nikolai. “No! Please!” I cry, lifting my arm to cover my face. “Easy there, woman. I’m not here to hurt you. In fact, I’ve been ordered by the great Pakhan himself to protect you while he’s away.”

“The name’s Valentin. And you must be Natalya.”

“Because I’m not touching the boss’ property,”

“That’s a surefire way to get my hands cut off. And I’m quite fond of my hands.”

“Does your whole life center around making sure Andrei isn’t upset?” I snap at him.

ahead. Just don’t blame me for what happens if your boyfriend finds out.” “He’s not my boyfriend.”

this funny to you?” I snarl. “I’m just trying to keep myself entertained. This isn’t the most exciting job I’ve ever had, you know.” “I don’t. But please enlighten me. Who the fuck are you exactly again?”

“Second-in-command? Blood brother? Sounds like a lot of self-important titles. I have a better one. Babysitter.”

“That’s a good one,” he nods. “Can’t say I’ve ever heard it before either. Keep them coming. This is so much more fascinating than what I was doing before.”

“It’s a sign of respect.” “You respect him?” “Everyone does. But me most of all.”

“Does he respect you?” “He does.” “That must be nice.”

“You don’t think he respects you? Even after you found out that he placed his very own blood brother on watch duty? I’m far too important to his empire to be stuck watching over something he doesn’t respect. So please don’t imply that he doesn’t resp...

“Why don’t you call him Pakhan?” “Because I don’t want to.” “And he lets you get away with it?” “I’m still here.”

“He must really like you then.” “Why do you say that.?” “Does he let you call him by his name?” “Yes.” “Did he tell you that? Did he specifically tell you to call him by his name instead of Pakhan?”

“Yes. He specifically told me to call him by his name.”

“Who uses a fork for French fries?”

“That was a test,”

“You passed. Now get eating. You have to be hungry again for you...

“I’d take a bullet for him any day of the week.”

“We’ve been in multiple situations where I might have taken a bullet for him, but when the lead started flying, he was the one who took a bullet for me.”

“My mom died when I was young. My dad wasn’t around for much longer after that. He disappeared and my life turned to shit. For a while there, though, I had a good life… I think. I mean, I was too young to know better…”

But sometimes I have dreams where I lived like a princess for the first few years of my life. Those are just dreams, though. The rest of my life has been a series of increasingly devastating nightmares.”

just makes you another lost soul.”

But I’ve got a new toy and a hunger I need to satisfy. My anger can be bottled for a little while longer, especially when I have a beast like you to unleash onto the world.”

“You’re going to make me blush.”