Chapter 60

CZAR

But as I remembered how she never let anyone, even me, trample on her dignity—how she talked back to anyone who dared insult her during her months here—I realized she also wasn’t the same anymore. Perhaps it was only her feelings for me that did not change.

A weight lodged itself inside my chest. It was fucking painful. A part of my nonexistent heart wanted to accept that she had feelings for me; the other still resisted it. If I keep her with me, then I'm accepting her as my weakness.

Weakness.

I won’t be like my sperm donor. He bowed to my mother and made reckless decisions he regretted. I don’t want a pushover for a wife, but I know I'd want to subdue her. And I'm rational enough to know that those cannot work simultaneously.

While I can rationalize why I have to let her go, a large messed-up part of me cannot let it happen. How can I hold her close while at the same time drawing a line? The thought of her moving on from me, forgetting me, and giving both herself and her loyalty to another man drives me mad.

I could just gut every man who meets her. But she would notice. The first time could be a coincidence, but more would be too suspicious. I can’t keep telling her that every man she meets is incidentally my enemy.

Focus on the road, Czar. The goal is to eliminate Pascal Monteval, not to save your marriage. Romance has no place in a capo’s life.

“I have Ms. Espinas now, Czar. We’re heading back to Saint Petersburg,” Eiran said when I answered the call.

I tapped the end call button without responding. I couldn’t reply properly while thinking about Avaline possibly being in danger.

My phone rang once more. I tortured whoever the caller was in my head. I don’t know why the heavens made me exist among stupid and irritating people.

“I’m gonna fucking kill you,” was how I greeted the caller whose identity I didn’t know.

“Not if I kill your wife first.”

In that moment, I lost all awareness of the road, my hands on the wheel, and my foot on the brakes. Like a man possessed by someone darker than himself, I was no longer in control of the vehicle. Just the primal instinct to protect my wife took over.

“At first, I was pissed when you stole my wife-to-be from me. Now I realize I’m glad she didn’t become mine. Too meddlesome. I don’t want a stubborn wife. She just escaped from me earlier; did she think I would fall for her trap?”

What exactly did my wife do? Did she lure him? Damn! Motherfucker!

“But I have to commend your wife.” He sounded proud and mocking. “She managed to hire my assassin to take out Faco.”

The underboss he planted in my territory. I didn’t know how to feel about not getting the chance to kill that bastard. But what I felt about my wife being in his captivity was… intense. I can’t name it. Like everything was slipping out of my grasp, and all my hard work for this territory had lost its purpose.

“Proof that she’s safe, Monteval,” I demanded.

“Why would I appease you when all you’ve done is be a pest?” He barked back.

“Guarantee her safety and I'll take her place, you piece of shit!”

The other line went silent. An echo of laughter reached my ears—a laugh of sheer enlightenment.

“So Czar Levesque has a heart that could be stabbed to kill.”

My jaw clenched. I wanted to reach through the phone, pummel his face until his insides came out, and paint his face purple and dripping red.

"I'm just not a coward like you, Pascal. I'm not afraid to face danger—unlike some people who'd rather pass it on to someone else."

"I don't care how you paint me, Levesque. As long as it gets me my prize, I'll take it."

"How about we stop with the fucking dialogue and just prove that she's safe?"

"So impatient, Levesque," he sighed dramatically; his voice grew a bit distant.

Avaline coughed. "Vaffanculo! Testa di cazzo!"

I felt more present and focused hearing her still fighting tooth and nail.

"Silenzio, puttana!"

I eyed my guns and knives on the passenger seat. He’ll bathe in blood for talking to her that way.

Thoughts flooded my mind. Did he tie my wife up? Is she on the verge of another panic attack? My mind won’t quiet down unless she’s safe in my arms.

“Avaline, stop provoking him. That’s my job,” I filtered through the helplessness I felt as I got closer to their location—in Faco's house.

"You've already heard your spitfire of a wife. Think that's enough indication that she's safe."

I heard the crisp sound of his steps on the floor. Avaline's voice was farther away now, but I held on to that faint voice shouting.

"Czar! Just leave me here! There are so many of them, Czar! The underboss wasn't the only one!"

I know, darling. I know there are a lot of them. And I'd die before I abandon her.

One gunshot and my wife gasped.

"Hurt her and you won't have me, Monteval. Stop terrorizing a woman to feed your ego. It's getting old."

He just let out the most annoying chuckle in the entire human existence.

"Oh, and Czar? Do not bring anyone. If you do, I'll kill your wife. I don't care if it costs me my life. Just knowing that you'll forever be miserable because she's gone? I'll die happy."

AVALINE

Deep breaths, Ava.

My hands were tied behind my back to the chair's armrest. My fight training helped with the panic episodes. It's still there, hitting me hard. But a small part of me is somewhat calm. Because I'm not helpless anymore. I can fight now.

The little girl in my vision who can't escape under an evil man's tight hold. Will I suffer the same fate as her? I feel connected to her. I'm gasping for breath that isn't mine. These are her memories. Why does it manifest to me?

Minutes ticked by and my mind went to worse places. It wasn't just the little girl anymore. There was also Czar in a pool of blood, taking his last breath.

I will die. Kairos will die. If that happens, then I'd be left with nothingness. The blackness stared right back at me.

The pathways of air in my system closed up. I caused this.

Earlier...

"Mrs. Levesque," Devika called out. I looked at her and she raised her thumbs up. The first part of the mission was completed. Sibley killed the underboss.

I can't believe that first part was over. Was the underboss that easy to dispose of? If Sibley wanted freedom from this underboss, why didn't she get rid of him earlier with skills like that? Was it the money, job, and protection she told me about?

There was another reason; I'm sure of it. She could easily be hired by another. Maybe it's the trauma. Despite your hatred towards your abuser, it's never easy to try and kill him.

She looks tough, but the strongest one always has the deepest hurt to hide.

I felt nauseated at the scene that greeted me. On the floor lay the underboss, whom Sibley told me was Faco. Blood flowed from different parts of his body: his stomach, sides, chest, and head. The scent was too strong; I could almost taste the blood.

"It's done," Sibley washed her hands in the sink while staring back at the body she killed.

"And now you call him," I told Sibley then turned to Devika. "Call the soldiers to be on standby."

Sibley and I entered a liquor room. Close to the curtain was a couch and round table. I assume he smokes and drinks in here.

At the end of the room, there were wall shelves. Sibley flipped one shelf around and revealed a new shelf with a telephone.

"Czar Levesque has eyes on each of his soldiers' phones and all their contacts. This is what Faco used to contact Pascal Monteval," Sibley explained.

Then the call was made. He praised her so much as if she just told him that she discovered where all the gold in the world was hidden.

As we awaited his arrival, Devika led the La Archante soldiers. The Levesques are not here. Things are up to her.

From the window, I saw Pascal Monteval with Desmond. I raised my gun and aimed it at the door he would enter through. I saw a great future right in front of me. All will be over once Pascal Monteval is dealt with—no more deaths, no more attacks unless Czar makes another enemy.

Pascal appeared at the doorway and paused when he saw my gun.

"Give up." I said firmly with every word.

He looked between me and Sibley; she had her gun pointed at him as well.

"Hands in the air!"

Pascal arched an eyebrow, confused but at the same time amused, not taking it seriously. He signaled Desmond to put his hands up; they both did.

"I'll give you one more chance, Avaline," he said. "Rethink your actions. Will you come with me or defy me and suffer the same consequences as your husband?"