Avenge :Romanian Mob Chronicles(42)

That he come and save me.

“He can’t see you, can’t save you. But what’s important here is that you see him,” Christoph Junior said, his body pressed against mine, his breath tickling my ear.

I tried to twist out of his grasp, his body touching me, the sickening smell of his cologne making my stomach roll.

He tightened his grip, pressed his face close to my ear. “Behave, iubită. You’re not my type, but I can make an exception.”

I shuddered when he kissed the shell of my ear, my skin prickling with the need to wipe at the spot he’d touched, but his grip on me making it impossible.

“I don’t… Why are you doing this?” I whimpered, hating the pathetic whine in my voice, but hoping it would sway Christoph Junior.

“It’s a favor. A courtesy. A nice girl like you doesn’t know what she’s getting into. Falling in with someone like Anton. You two have gotten close lately, haven’t you?”

When I said nothing, he squeezed in warning. “Haven’t you?”

“He’s…kind,” I finally said.

Christoph Junior laughed, the sound rich, full-bodied, the vibration of it reverberating through him and into me. “Kind? Anton?”

He laughed more, and then went quiet, watching as I did as the men below squared off, Anton across from another man. Anton was shirtless now, his face rigid, lips flat in a tense line.

“Watch. See how kind he is.”

Only a few seconds passed between the end of Christoph Junior’s statement and the first punch. The smaller man hit Anton dead-on, connected with his jaw, his body shaking with the power that he put into the blow.

Anton wasn’t fazed at all.

Face still set in the almost placid expression that I had always seen, he stood, silent, waiting. When the man swung again, he caught his fist, squeezing it in his own.

“What do you think so far? Wait. Don’t say anything. You have to see how it ends,” Christoph Junior said, voice buzzing with glee.

I wanted to close my eyes, to turn away, but I couldn’t. Not when Anton twisted. Not when the man’s shoulder collapsed, bending at an unnatural angle. Not when the man fell to his knees.

And I didn’t look away when he dropped the man’s arm. Or when he put one hand on top of the man’s head, the other on his chin. Didn’t look away when he twisted until the man’s head lay atop his neck in a same unnatural angle as his shoulder.

Anton stood, chest heaving, expression still serene. Then he lifted the limp man, flipped him over. I cried out when I saw the man’s face.

It was Paul. Christoph Junior’s lover.

Anton’s victim.

“Almost done. Anton is very efficient,” he said.

I jumped, somehow having forgotten that he was there even though he still held my neck. When Anton picked up the ax, I finally closed my eyes, the truth weighing on me as heavily as the horror I had just witnessed.

I had fallen in love with a monster.





Sixteen





Anton





Today had been tiring, but I still buzzed with energy, a natural consequence of the day’s activities. When Christoph Junior had given the order, I’d agreed. But I’d also investigated. I didn’t trust Christoph Junior enough to kill on his word alone, doubted that I ever would.

But Paul had been dirty. Had betrayed Clan Constantin by using the club to run his side business without consent and without sharing the profits. Sandu had confirmed it, and Paul had confessed as much, so I’d had no qualms about eliminating him, though I didn’t enjoy Christoph Junior’s smug, self-satisfied smirk when I went back to the office after Paul’s body had been disposed of.

“Good work as always, Anton,” he said, looking like he wanted to pat me on the head.

“I’m in no mood for games today,” I said, not bothering to modulate my tone or make any attempt at being respectful.

“You’re in the mood for whatever I decide, whenever I decide. Today proved that,” Christoph Junior said. Then he swiveled his chair, telling me I was dismissed.

I stared at the back of his head for a few seconds, and then I turned and left. No other man would dare treat me as such, and my first impulse had been to slam his head against a wall till he realized the mistake.

I clenched my fists and walked a little faster, my loyalty to his father and to the family keeping me in check. I tried to remind myself that I was doing this for them and not for him. But I didn’t know how much more of this act I could take. I already had my hands full enough keeping the rank and file in check, no easy feat with Christoph Junior seeming intent on riling them up at every turn.

The only silver lining was that at least if he was screwing with me, he wouldn’t have time to piss off the people who made sure we functioned.