SCARLETT They locked me in silk and marble and called it protection. They told me he was dead. They told me I was safe now. I learned the layout of the house in two days. I learned which guards were lazy. I learned where the cameras glitched. And I smiled when Malen touched my cheek like he’d saved me. I am not the girl he thinks he rescued. Nikolai didn’t make me weak. He made me capable. When I get out of here — and I will — I won’t be running back to hide behind him. I’ll be walking back ready. Ready to end my father. Ready to dismantle anyone who thought they could use me. They wanted me separated from him. What they did was finish my training.
NIKOLAI They shot me and left me in the dirt. I survived. That alone should scare them. But what they don’t understand is Taking her wasn’t leverage. It was a declaration. I’m not coming back for negotiation. I’m coming back for eradication. And when I find her, I won’t find the same woman I lost. I’ll find someone sharper. Stronger. Colder. Good. Because when I take her hand again, it won’t be to cage her. It’ll be to stand beside her while we dismantle everyone who thought they could step between us. No mercy. No warnings. Just results.
This is the third book in The Dark Virtue series. Reading Savage. Toxic. Sinful.