If they've done something to him...
I begin to drive faster.
The minute I pull up to the café, I park right outside, not caring if it’s a no-parking zone. I head straight in, looking for the restrooms.
When I find the women’s bathroom, I knock softly. “Gela, it's me. Open up.”
I wait for her to open the door, and when she does, my heart sinks at the sight of her. She’s pale and has mascara running down her cheeks from the tears she’s shed.
“Oh, Gela.” I push past the door and take her in my arms. She sinks into my chest, sobbing quietly.
“I've got you.” I slide a hand down her hair, over and over again, feeling her body sag against mine. “You're safe now.”
Her fingers dig into my back as she cries. “I was so stupid, Valentin. So stupid. I truly thought Alex was a legit client.”
I pull back and cup her cheeks in my hands. “Tell me exactly what you heard.”
She tells me everything, and with each word, my rage builds. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know one thing for sure. The minute I get home and have Gela settled in, I’m going to put a stop to this madness.
“You ready to go home?” I ask softly after she’s done crying.
She takes some tissues to dab at her wet, red eyes and nods.
I put my arm around her shoulder, ready to usher her out, but she stops. “What about Dmitri? I couldn’t find him. Do you think they did something to him?”
“No,” I lie, even though I’m fearing the same thing, but I don’t want her to spiral into darker thoughts. “I'm sure he's fine, but we shouldn’t wait around any longer. I’ll send some men to find him.”
I open the bathroom door slowly and sweep an eye across the café to make sure there are no Zakharovs in sight before leading Gela out.
Just as we reach the door, Dmitri calls.
“Dmitri,” I answer, and Gela looks up with worry. “Are you alright?”
“Sir, I'm so sorry.” He sounds frantic. “Mrs. Yuri left the café and said she'd be right back, but she never returned. My phone died when I tried to call you. I've been searching the area, and I just can’t find her. Please, sir, I need help.”
I give Gela a small, comforting smile and mouth, he’s okay. “She’s with me,” I tell a very worried Dmitri. “I’ll explain later. But grab the car and head on home.”
“Oh, thank god, boss,” he sighs with relief.
I get Gela in the car, but before I drive off, I take her hand in mine.
“Hey,” I say softly, taking her hand. “Look at me.”
She does, her eyes dark and harrowed.
“We're going home now, and I want you to forget what happened today. Nothing like this will happen again, you hear me?”
She nods as she understands, but her hand still shakes in mine. I start the car and pull into traffic, keeping one hand on the wheel and the other holding hers.
“Dmitri was around,” I tell her as we drive. “He said his phone died while he was looking for you.”
“I just ran out to catch Alex,” she whimpers. “I forgot to give him the folder with projections. I thought I'd be back in seconds.”
“It's not your fault,” I say, squeezing her hand to comfort her. “You couldn't have known. It was just a bad day, overall.”
“But I should have known,” she insists, anger flashing briefly through her fear. “I'm supposed to be smarter than this, Valentin, but I let them play me like a fool.”
“The Zakharovs have been doing this for generations,” I remind her. “They're experts at manipulation. Don’t blame yourself for their sick, twisted games.”
