The Cara I thought I knew was an act. She changed right before my eyes. The violence simmered within her.

“Slavik will never believe you.”

“No?” she asked. “You think he’d believe you after how long he’s known me? You don’t stand a chance, Aurora. I am sorry for all of this. You are a means to an end.”

I stared at Cara, shocked as she raised the gun at me.

She tensed, and I closed my eyes. No bullet came.

“Fuck!”

I had no time to move as the sound of the door being broken in filled the air. Within a matter of seconds, Slavik and his men were there.

****

Slavik

I listened to Cara’s accusations. My wife on her knees, tears filling her eyes as she looked at me.

All the while, a perfect story painted for all to hear. I saw my men and Ivan’s, and their anger grew with each word spoken.

My wife.

The woman I’d fallen in love with was a traitor?

“You see, Slavik, we can’t let her leave here. Look at the damage she has caused. I told Ivan he never should have done the treaty. You, yourself, fought against it.”

I stared at Aurora. She made no sound. No defense.

“Do you trust me?” I asked.

“Of course, I trust you,” Cara said. Her hands touched my shoulder. “How could I not? I brought her to you. I knew you’d follow me to protect me. You love me.”

The buzz in my pocket alerted me to the next step, and I turned to Cara. I dropped the gun and stroked her cheek. She was a good friend, the best. Through thick and thin, she’d been there for me and for Ivan.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” I said, grabbing her head and shoving her down to the ground as she screamed.

My men tensed up.

“Do you really think bringing my wife to this factory was all it was going to take? All this information gathered together, pointing the finger of blame at my woman?” I asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. She has polluted your mind, Vik. This is not you. Please, someone, stop him. He’s a traitor to Ivan. Kill him. Please, kill him.”

I pointed my gun at Cara’s head.

“You thought you could get away with it, but Cara, the moment you started to steal from Ivan, I knew. I knew the funds being taken, the men who started to attack. You’re not the brightest woman. All you’ve ever been able to sell is your cunt. Sex is all you know and you think you could take this from Ivan? From me!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of my men approach my wife, and I raised my gun. “You touch her, and I will fucking kill you.”

“She’s a traitor, boss.”

I shot him in the leg and turned to look at all of my men. “Now would be a good time for you to come out.”