“He ran,” Lev says, leaning closer. “Took a shipment, valuable ledgers, millions in blackmail leverage, and disappeared to save himself. Your mother—Callista—she fled to America to protect herself and you. That’s why the Greeks are after you now.”
I shake my head, disbelief catching in my throat. “All these years…I thought he died.”
Lev sighs.
“I…I can’t believe this,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “It…it actually makes sense. We never even had a funeral for Dad. And Mom—she left so suddenly for America. I always thought she was just scared, or maybe running from grief.”
Lev’s gaze is steady, unblinking. “She was running, Sasha. Running to protect you.”
I shake my head, my fingers twisting in the fabric of my dress. “But…she never took anything. No money, nothing. I grew up middle-class. Mom worked two jobs just to keep us afloat. She…she was always struggling.” My voice catches. “Until…until she got sick. Cancer.”
Lev hums, his eyes sad.
“Even…even during her treatment,” I say, my voice tight, “she had to take out loans. After she…after Mom died, I started working right away to pay off what we owed. It was so hard for me.”
Lev’s eyes narrow, a mix of shock and concern flashing across his face. “Why didn’t you ever tell me any of this?”
I shrug, looking down at my hands. “I…I was embarrassed. It felt like my burden, my failure to keep us afloat. I didn’t want anyone to know how much I struggled.”
He steps closer, voice low but firm. “Sasha…you don’t have to carry this alone. Not ever again. I’m here, and I’ll make sure no one touches you—or what’s yours.”
I swallow hard, feeling a strange mix of relief and shame. “I thought I could handle it all myself,” I whisper. “I thought I had to.”
Lev shakes his head slowly, his hand brushing against my cheek. “You never had to, Sasha. Not with me.”
I nod, feeling the familiar pressure of tears. But I choke it back. This isn’t the time.
“Is the debt…all paid?” Lev asks.
I hesitate, swallowing hard. “Some of it…it’s still left.”
He steps closer, tilting my chin up with one finger. “Not anymore,” he says, his tone firm but gentle. “Once we’re back home, after we solve this…I’ll take care of all of it. Everything.”
I feel a lump in my throat and hug him tightly, burying my face into his chest.
He wraps his arms around me, holding me as if I might disappear. “All my money…it’s yours, Sasha,” he murmurs against my hair. “If you want it all, I’ll give it to you. Every last bit.”
I pull back slightly to look at him, eyes wide. “You…really mean that?”
“Every word,” he says, his gaze unwavering. “Everything I have, it’s yours. And nothing or no one will ever take it from you.”
I cling to him again, feeling a strange mixture of safety, relief, and awe. Somehow, despite everything, it feels like I’m finally allowed to stop carrying the world on my own. I don’t know why I didn’t throw it all on him before.
We land in Athens under heavy guard. I keep my eyes sharp, scanning the crowd and the vehicles waiting for us. Roman leans close to Lev, voice low but urgent.
“Viktor Markovic,” he says, glancing at me once, “he could already be here, making side deals. Keep your eyes open.”
Lev’s jaw tightens for a fraction of a second. He doesn’t flinch, just nods, his fingers brushing mine briefly before he pulls me toward the exit.
Roman lingers at the doorway. “I’ll find my way around and contact you later,” he says, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp.
“Okay. Keep me posted.” Lev leads me out of the plane and into a waiting car, the city lights of Athens spilling across the windows as we head toward the airport exit.
I glance at him, curiosity creeping in despite the tension. “Where are we going?” I ask.
Lev’s eyes flick to mine, sharp and steady. “The Rusnak villa.”
I blink, caught off guard. “You…have a villa here?”
