Because I know there is another one. I know this game. I’ve led this game.
Maksim sighs and slides the screen to show me the latest photo.
I stare at the image, emotions warring inside me. I thought I hated this man. Thought I'd moved past caring what happened to him. He betrayed Maksim. Destroyed our lives. Got paid to do it.
But seeing him like this—broken and bleeding—hurts in a way I didn't expect. The second picture is horrific. I can’t even say for certain he’s alive. His one eye is open, but he’s staring at nothing.
"When?" My voice comes out steady despite the turmoil inside.
"About two hours ago," Semyon answers. "They sent it to draw us out."
"It's a trap," I say, still staring at the photo.
"Obviously." Maksim takes the phone back, like he can't stand me looking at it anymore. "But we can't just leave him there."
I look up at him. "Can't we?"
The question hangs in the air. Everyone stares at me.
"He sold you out," I continue, my voice harder now. "Took money from Roman. Set you up to be kidnapped and tortured. Why should we risk ourselves to save him?"
"Because he's your father," Maksim says quietly. "And our child's grandfather."
"Our child's grandfather is a traitor who values money over lives."
"I know." He moves closer, his hand finding mine. "But you'll never forgive yourself if we don't at least try. And neither will I."
I want to argue. Want to say I don't care. But he's right—damn him, he's right.
I close my eyes, breathing through the nausea that has nothing to do with pregnancy. "What's happening? What's the plan?"
"We're going to get him," Semyon says. "Maksim and I are headed out now to scout the location. Then we'll extract him."
"I'm coming with you."
"Absolutely not." Maksim's response is immediate and firm.
"I can handle a gun. I can help—"
"Kira, you're pregnant." He frames my face with his hands, forcing me to meet his eyes. "You're carrying our child. There is no scenario where I let you walk into a trap."
"He's right," Anya says softly. "Kira, it's too dangerous."
"It's too dangerous for all of us!" I pull away from Maksim, frustration boiling over. "You think I can just sit here while you two go get yourselves killed?"
"We're not going to get killed," Semyon interjects. "We're professionals. We know what we're doing."
"So do I!" My voice rises. "I ran an organization for six years. I've handled worse situations than this."
"Not while pregnant," Maksim says flatly. "Not with my child. I won't risk you. End of discussion."
I want to scream at him. Want to throw something. But I see the fear beneath his stubborn determination. He's terrified of losing me. Of losing the baby.
"We're moving," Semyon says, breaking the tense silence. "This location isn't safe anymore. Roman sent that photo to Maksim's phone—even a burner can be traced given enough time. We need to relocate."
"Where?" Anya asks.
"I've got another place. Deeper in the city. Harder to find." He's already gathering weapons, packing them into bags. "We move now, before they find us."
