Page 127 of Sinful Betrayal

I try not to panic. I just need to buy myself some time until Anton gets here.

I might not like the idea of being used as bait to lure him into my father’s hands, but I know Anton is smart. After all, this is what the Koslovs have wanted all along—a chance to take down my father for what he’s done to their family.

Perhaps this can be my way of repaying them for showing me such kindness.

My body shakes uncontrollably from the cold as I sit on a chair in the center of the damp back room of one of my father’s warehouses.

My skin is covered in goosebumps, but sweat coats my forehead and upper lip from the effort of trying to free my hands from the restraints.

It feels as if they’re getting tighter the more I fight against them, but I can’t give up. I won’t let my father win.

He’s already taken too much from me. I won’t let him take Anton and my child too.

“Come on, then!” I yell at the closed door. “Aren’t you going to kill me?”

My throat is dry, and my voice comes out as more of a hoarse cry, but I don’t stop. “Don’t be a fuckingcoward?—”

The door flies open, and my father is almost foaming at the mouth as he glares at me.

“I thought that might get your attention.” I almost laugh.

My father’s eyes flash with anger as he stalks toward me, his towering frame barely fitting through the doorway.

“You’d do well to keep your fucking mouth shut.”

“Why? What do you plan on doing to me?” I wish my voice wouldn’t shake, but I can’t ignore the fear as my father stares down at me.

Falling in love with a Koslov is the highest form of betrayal, and my father is a smart man. He would have seen the truth in my eyes when I refused to go with him.

My mother always said I wore my heart on my sleeve, which I used to think was a good thing. But now, I’m not so sure.

My father reaches out to grip my chin and forces my head back, so I have no choice but to look at him.

I squirm at the feeling of his calloused hands on my skin.

“My own daughter is a traitor,” he growls, baring his teeth. “Did you not think I would see you on the security cameras sneaking into my office, Nina? Did you really think I was thatstupid?”

I flinch, and he drops his hand from my face.

“You might be my daughter, but betrayal is betrayal.”

My stomach sinks as I look into my father’s cold eyes.

He’s going to kill me.

“W-what about Maxim?” Panic starts to set in.

‘What about him?” Igor demands.

“T-the plan…”

“You’re not fooling anyone, Nina. If you truly cared about avenging your own brother, you never would have handed over that information to the Koslovs. You’ve shown where your loyalty lies, and now you’ll pay the price.”

“It was an accident!” The last of my hope starts to slip away. “Anton didn’t set out to kill Maxim. He was trying to save Mikhail?—”

“Is that what he told you?” Igor scoffs. “You’re a fucking fool, Nina. Of course, that’s what he’d say.”

I bite my tongue, not wanting to tell him who I heard the truth from.