DEADLY DECEPTION

CHAPTER 44

Rick's POV

Fury burned through me like wildfire.

My grip on the gun tightened, my jaw clenched so hard it fucking hurt.

Avery was on the ground, wincing in pain. His fucking boot was still pressing down on her hand.

My blood boiled.

Rafael smirked, his gaze flicking between me and Thomas. "You didn't fall for my trick and still trusted Paolo," he mused, tilting his head. "Impressive."

Thomas spit at Rafael's feet. "Of course, he didn't, you dumb fuck." His voice was sharp, proud—too fucking proud. "Rick's my boy. He'd never fall for a moron's trick."

My body went rigid.

What the fuck?

Thomas never called me that. Never fucking spoke about me like that.

I flicked my eyes toward him, but he was already looking at Rafael, his stance firm, his expression cold.

"Though," he continued, smirking slightly, "he did almost fall for it. And he did almost fucking shoot me."

I didn't react, but I knew my face gave something away because Rafael chuckled.

"Interesting."

I ignored him.

Thomas took a step forward. "You have no idea how cruel I've raised this kid, Rafael." His voice was steady. "He lost his family because of you. And I made sure he never forgot it."

My fingers curled into fists.

I fucking hated him for it.

For the way he trained me. For the way he turned me into this.

But today, he spoke like he was fucking proud of it.

Proud of me.

Rafael's expression darkened slightly, but Thomas didn't stop.

"I thought it was all Sergei's doing," he admitted, "and I'll give it to you—hiding behind that Russian bastard like a scared little child all these years? Smart move." His lips curled. "But the thing is, since you were hiding, you must've forgotten."

His eyes glinted dangerously.

"Rick was already trained by his father when he was eight." He took another step. "So imagine how fucking lethal he is now."

Silence.

Heavy. Thick.

Rafael's smirk twitched.

He knew.

He fucking knew.

Thomas let out a sharp exhale, almost like a laugh. "I've injected vengeance into him so deep, Rafael—your death's already written on his hands." His voice was quiet, lethal. "And you can't fucking stop it."

For a second, Rafael's jaw tightened.

Then—he laughed.

Loud. Mocking.

"Talking about him like he's your greatest weapon," he mused, "as if his weakness isn't right here, lying at my feet."

My grip on the gun turned painful.

Avery winced under his boot.

Something inside me snapped.

"If you want me," I finally spoke, my voice low, sharp, "come at me."

I took a step forward.

Rafael's gun immediately snapped up, pointed straight at my head.

"Nah," he said, grinning. "I promised you, didn't I?" His voice dropped to something dark. "I ruin her first. Then, I come for you."