At ten, we get in the car and drive back to the outskirts of a city I never thought I’d see again.
The warehouse on Pushkin Street is one of the Reznikov's neutral meeting grounds. Big enough to hold a small army, isolated enough that no one hears gunfire.
Perfect for an execution. Or a negotiation.
Leonid's waiting inside with Maksim Vasiliev and his two most trusted men. No one else. That's a good sign.
"Konstantin." Leonid nods at me, then looks at Emilia. "Ms. Markova. Or should I say, Ms. Markov?"
"Either is fine," Emilia says calmly.
Leonid studies her for a long moment. "Your father was a good man. Honorable. I was sorry to hear what happened to him."
"Were you sorry enough to do something about it?" Her voice is sharp.
"No." Leonid doesn't apologize. "Troskoy was useful. Your father's death, while unfortunate, was his own business to settle. Not mine."
"And now?" I ask.
"Now Troskoy's empire is burning. The authorities are closing in. His partners are turning on him." Leonid's smile is thin. "And I have evidence that he's been stealing from me for years. So now, Troskoy's my business."
"What are you going to do?" Emilia asks.
"What I should've done years ago. Remove him." Leonid turns his attention to me. "Which brings us to you, Konstantin. You betrayed me. Helped an outsider destroy one of our own. That kind of disloyalty usually ends badly."
I don't flinch. "I know."
"But." Leonid holds up a hand. "You also gave me information that saved me millions. Exposed a traitor in our ranks. And you did it knowing it would cost you everything."
He walks closer, studying my face.
"Why?" he asks. "Why throw away a decade of loyalty for a woman you barely knew?"
"Because she made me remember I'm human." The truth comes easily. "Because I was tired of being your weapon.Because I wanted something more than just following orders until someone puts a bullet in me."
Leonid's quiet for a long moment.
Then he laughs. Actually laughs.
"You know what? I respect that." He claps me on the shoulder. "You've been my best enforcer for ten years. Never questioned orders. Never failed a job. You've earned the right to walk away."
I don't let myself feel relief yet. "What's the cost?"
"Two things." Leonid holds up two fingers. "One, you never work against Reznikov interests. You're out, but you're not an enemy. We have an understanding?"
"Understood."
"Two, you help me find Troskoy. He's gone to ground, and I want him found before the authorities get him. This is personal now."
I glance at Emilia. She nods slightly.
"Done," I say. "I know where he'll run. Give me forty-eight hours."
"You have twenty-four." Leonid extends his hand. "After that, we're done. You're free of me. Both of you. The Vasiliev’s on the other hand…"
I shake his hand, sealing the deal.
Maksim steps forward.
