Crave (Beneath The Secrets #3)

74. Alexei

CHAPTER 74

ALEXEI

My foot lands on Misha’s face again. “I told you, I’m in charge now ,” I yell into his ear.

Ben pins his feet to keep him from kicking out.

“You smuggle shit in, and don’t give me a cut, very bad things happen.” I grind my heel into his cheek before I pull away.

“I’m sorry, Alexei. It won’t happen again,” Misha whines from beneath me.

Sven had suggested taking over with a heavy hand.

I had no idea how far I’d have to push to maintain control.

A murmur ripples through the onlookers as I let Misha stand.

Wait, they aren’t looking my way.

“What’s going on?” I ask Sven.

He shrugs his broad shoulders then stands on his toes to see over the heads of the rest of the prisoners.

“He’s back,” Sven grunts, waving at us to follow him.

As I follow him, I try to jump to see over his massive back.

On one jump, I get a glimpse of gray hair and a hunched figure.

There was a part of me worried it was the big bastard whose eyes I gouged out.

I heard he got sent away.

“Boss, it’s good to see you again.” Ben moves to the side, opening a path for the Butcher to wobble to the row of benches.

“Alexei,” the old man steps closer. “I’m glad to see you’re still alive.” A small smile plays over his silver whiskered lips. “I’ve heard you’re keeping everyone in line?”

“Yep. Was a little touch and go at first, but I managed.” I shrug. The blackened eye I got on the second day is nearly healed.

He pats my arm. “Good. You can take over for me when I’m gone.” Turning, his fist covers his mouth as he coughs.

“What are you talking about?” I try to look into his eyes, but he turns his head.

“Prisoner five-three-eight-two!” One of the guards calls over the crowd.

Shit, that’s my number.

“Here!” I yell as I push my way through the parting bodies.

The others are careful not to touch me while I work my way to the guards.

“Your lawyer is here,” he says gruffly and motions for me to hold out my hands for the cuffs.

“I don’t have one.” I keep my arms still, but I’m thoroughly confused.

Maybe it’s Mikhail? Did Enzo find me?

“This way.” The head guard turns on his heel and leads me inside.

Following the uniformed back and surrounded by other armed men, we go through a long cold hall to a glassed room with a steel table in the center.

The chain between my restraints gets fed into a lock on the edge by my chair.

As soon as I’m fastened, the opposing door opens and a hulking figure steps through, temporarily blocking the light behind him with his size.

Oh.

That fucker.

“Hello, Alexei.” Drago drops a leather briefcase on the metal surface as he sits in front of me.

“You aren’t my lawyer,” I say flatly.

He’s the last person I wanted to see.

“I am today. I’m your only hope of escape.” He points one of his darkly tattooed fingers at me. “I learned recently who your friends are.”

Why does he look almost remorseful?

“What about them?” I growl. I want to get out of here, so I might listen.

“I didn’t know you were friends with the Volkov’s. Mikhail saved my life. I owe him everything.” His icy blue eyes narrow as he gazes at some spot over my head.

He shakes off whatever memory he was reliving and stares at me. “So I’m going to help you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

His palms turn up. “I get it, I apologize. Tatiana has had to work with, well, bottom feeders sometimes. I thought you were one of them.”

“What are you going to do?” I’m starting to believe him.

Do I dare?

“I have the name she wants you to eliminate.” He smiles smugly.

Like that’s my only problem living in a prison full of people who hate me.

“So, afterwards, you get me out?” I hope it’s Misha. I hate that guy.

“I’ll do my best.” His brows knit in a solemn expression.

Can I trust him? If I’m seen killing someone, I’ll be tossed into isolation for the rest of my life.

I guess that means I shouldn’t get caught.

“Okay. Who am I supposed to take out?” I don’t think I have any choice but to try.

Any chance more than zero is worth doing if I can ever hope to see Lara again.

“His name is Vanos Pushkrov,” Drago whispers before looking through the glass at the guards.

I try to go through all of the names of the assholes I’ve had run-ins with here. I don’t think I’ve crossed that name yet.

Drago must see my confusion, because he leans across the heavy table and gestures at me to move closer. “He’s also known as the Butcher of Buresk.”

Cold sweat runs down my spine making me shiver.

“No.” My answer comes instinctively.

That man has kept me alive, protected me, and taught me the ways in here.

He’s more of a father than my own ever was.

“There has to be a mistake.” I can’t do it.

Drago shakes his head. “That man ruined Tatiana’s life. Believe me, he deserves it.”

What the fuck? Was her family slaughtered by him?

I’ve only heard snippets of the rage he brought down on that town.

Damn.

What the hell do I do?