“How immediate is the threat?”
“Immediate enough that I drove here instead of calling. Phone communications are compromised as of this morning. Viktor Petrov confirmed it an hour ago when he called from a secure line to warn us.”
Viktor’s involvement bothers me. The man runs intelligence operations for multiple families, which means he has access to information that could implicate all of us if he ever cooperates with federal investigators.
“What does Viktor want in exchange for the warning?”
“That’s the interesting part. He’s offering protection services against government intrusion. Claims he can provide countersurveillance and communication security for a reasonable fee.”
“Since when does Viktor offer protection services?”
“Since this morning. He hinted he’s dealt with ‘displaced assets’ before. Said missing personnel could be ‘returned to their handlers’ for the right price.”
The phrasing makes my blood run cold. Viktor’s never been one to get involved in Bratva operations firsthand, which means either he’s expanding his service offerings, or he knows something about our current situation that he hasn’t shared.
“Did he specify what kind of arrangements?”
“He was vague. But he mentioned that government operatives who go missing sometimes find their way home if the right people are motivated to facilitate their return.”
Government operatives. Like missing FSB agents whose handlers might be getting impatient about their lack of contact.
The smart play would be to take Viktor’s offer. Return Katya to her handlers, complete my original plan for revenge by handing them back their broken agent, and eliminate the threat to my organization all at once. It’s what I’d planned from the beginning when I decided to keep her alive instead of killing her.
But the thought of her remembering—and of her eyes filling with hate when she realizes what I’ve done—twists something violent in my chest.
She’s no longer just a tool for revenge. She’s become something I can’t sacrifice, even for the satisfaction of destroying her handlers.
What choice do I have but to return her to the FSB if I’m not going to kill her?
“Set up a meeting with Viktor for tomorrow. Secure location, full security protocols.”
“Already arranged. Warehouse district, noon. Dmitri, if Viktor can solve our problem cleanly…”
“I know what the smart move is.”
“But?”
“But nothing. We’ll hear him out and decide what’s best for the family.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue.
What’s best for the organization is obvious. What’s best for me… I’m not ready to face.
Alexei isn’t satisfied with my non-answers, but he knows better than to push when I’m not ready to commit to a specific course of action.
“Katya and I will leave in the morning,” I assure him. “Back in the city, we’ll get this sorted out.”
“Tonight would be better.”
“Morning,” I repeat with finality.
After Alexei leaves, I bury myself in contingency plans while Katya reads on the porch. My eyes keep drifting back to her. Memorizing her.
By nightfall, the quiet between us is heavy. We both know this peace is over.
“You’re distracted,” Katya says as we clean up.
She’s not wrong. I’ve been buried in worst-case scenarios instead of focusing on her.
“Business. Nothing that can’t be handled.”
