“What do you mean, ‘who he really was’?” he asked carefully, and I saw something shift in his eyes. Almost like he’d put his guard up.
I leaned forward, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “I know things, Mario. Things about my father’s… connections. Things I wasn’t supposed to know.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Alisa, I’m not sure what you’re—”
“It’s okay,” I cut him off with a sad smile. “I’ve had time to process it all. And thankfully, I’m not alone anymore.” I twisted the wedding band on my finger, making sure he noticed the gesture. “I’ve actually gotten married since everything happened. He’s been my rock through all this.”
“Married?” Mario raised his eyebrows. “Well, congratulations. I had no idea.”
Liar.
“Thank you.” I smiled softly. “It was all very quick. But when you find someone who makes you feel safe, especially after everything… “ I let my voice trail off again, planting the seeds of my story.
“Of course,” Mario nodded, though I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. “May I ask who the lucky man is?”
I hesitated, as if uncertain whether to share. “His name is Dante. Dante Lebedev. I don’t know if you’ve heard of his family, but… “
“Of course I know them.” He sat up straighter, almost on cue, like he had already known this and was putting on his side of the act. “I just never thought you’d end up in a family like that. Bratva, aren’t they?”
I wondered if he knew that I, too, was putting on an act.
I looked down at my hands, feigning embarrassment. “I know how it sounds. The daughter of a federal prosecutor marrying into a family like that. But Dante saved me, Mario. When my father… “ I paused, letting a tear slip down my cheek. “When my father tried to sell me to the Pavlovs.”
“What?” Mario’s shock seemed genuine, and I wondered if his whole persona was a lie.
“My father owed the Pavlovs,” I continued, my voice breaking. “He promised me as a bride to Arko Pavlov. Can you imagine? His own daughter. They’re evil, filthy men.”
Mario was silent, staring at me with wide eyes.
“Dante saved me from that fate,” I said, wiping away another tear. “And now I’m terrified that the Pavlovs will still come for me. That’s why I came to see you, Mario. I need to know… will you protect me? Now that you’re in my father’s position, will you keep the Pavlovs away from me? You see, Dante isn’t that powerful… “
Mario watched me carefully. “And you think I can protect you from them?”
I let my face crumple, as if on the verge of breaking down completely. “You’re the federal prosecutor now. You have power, connections. If anyone can keep me safe from them, it’s you.” I took a shuddering breath. “Unless… unless you do their dirty bidding for them too, like my father did.”
“Alisa,” Mario said sharply. “That’s a very serious accusation.”
“I’m not accusing,” I said quickly, letting fear seep into my voice. “I just need to know where I stand. Who I can trust.”
I covered my face with my hands, my shoulders shaking with fake sobs. “I’m so scared, Mario. Every day I wake up wondering if this is the day the Pavlovs come to collect what my father promised them.”
I heard him move around the desk, felt his hand on my shoulder in what was meant to be a comforting gesture.
“Look at me, Alisa,” he said softly.
I dropped my hands, letting him see my tear-streaked face.
“The Pavlovs won’t touch you,” he said firmly. “I won’t let them.”
“How can you be sure?” I pressed, my voice small and frightened.
“Because,” he hesitated, then seemed to make a decision. “Because I have an understanding with them.”
My heart raced. There it was—the breakthrough.
“What kind of understanding?” I asked.
Mario sighed, returning to his seat behind the desk. “It’s complicated, Alisa. This city… the balance of power here… It’s not as black and white as your father pretended it was.”
