Sergei smiled over his shoulder as the muted sound of Madame Naumov’s scream reached him. She remembered what he’d said, and she now knew that he’d meant it. He hadn’t made up his mind for himself as to whether or not this lovely, young, blonde would suffer the ultimate consequence for Yelena’s deceit, but for now it was enough that Yelena thought she would.<br/><br/>“No? No? Why shaking your head, no? You chose Yelena. I told what would happen if you lied, and you did. It’s your foolish rebellion that will cost this pretty one her life.” Sergei told Yelena, matter of factly as his fingers traveled down her stomach, following the lines of lean muscle just below the spandex of her leotard. “It’s a shame, really. When I could have found ways to amuse myself with her, otherwise.”<br/><br/>Suddenly, Sergei’s hand left Lila’s body to grab the loose braid of hair, falling apart at the back of her head. Using the pistol and her hair, Sergei turned toward Yelena and tackled Lila to the ground. He didn’t slam her down or hurt her deliberately, but he left little opportunity for her to resist.<br/><br/>Moving swiftly, Sergei dragged Lila across the hard-wood floor, her soft tights allowing her to slide easily without friction. Sergei laid Lila just below Madame Naumov, forcing her to look up into the older woman’s eyes. The gun was still in her mouth and Sergei released her hair to grasp tightly around her throat.<br/><br/>“You should apologize, Yelena. Apologize for costing this girl her life, with your half-hearted lies and your selfish desire to abandon your family. Try to explain to her why it doesn’t matter what she says or what she would promise me, because you betrayed her when you betrayed me.” Sergei insisted, his face just inches from Yelena’s, not even looking at Lila. “And most importantly, say goodbye. I told you I would.”<br/><br/>Just as promised, Sergei squeezed the trigger on his pistol until the hammer came down on an empty chamber.<br/><br/><em>Click!</em>