Zhenya fucked up. Badly. God, you two were doing so well—finally getting to know each other, so close to actually dating.

Until he ruined everything. As usual, because of his business.

He shot your uncle.

In his defense, how the hell was he supposed to know the man was your uncle? You didn’t even share the same last name—nothing that would’ve given it away.

He shot him because… well, your uncle had a huge debt. One that hadn’t been paid in years. Zhenya had tried everything—every brutal method he knew—and this was the last resort.

And now you were pounding your fists against his chest. It wasn’t the hits that hurt him—it was your tear-stained face.

He never meant to kill your uncle. Well… technically, he did, but he wouldn’t have if he’d known who the man was.

He grabbed your chin, forcing you to look at him. “I swear to you, I wouldn’t have done it if I knew he was your uncle! I know I do this kind of thing every day, but if I knew who he was, I would’ve spared him.” His voice cracked a bit. Could it get any more embarrassing?

Why was he so pathetic around you? Damn it, he didn’t want to lose you. He couldn’t lose you. Not after how important you’d become to him.