My stomach knots. Even though I don’t know exactly what he means, the implication chills me.
I clench my hands, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
My mother. My past.
It all suddenly feels like a trap I never saw coming.
Chapter 24 – Lev
I sit back in the low-lit booth of the private bar, glass of whiskey in hand, letting the burn settle along my throat. Roman sits across from me, shoulders relaxed, though I know better.
“I say we hit first,” I tell him, voice low but steady. “Take the initiative. Deal with the consequences after.”
Roman chuckles, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Lev…sometimes you’re too eager to spill blood before you even plan the first sip.” He takes a slow drink. “I just want to enjoy the whiskey first. We’ll talk business after.”
I scowl, leaning forward, resting my elbows on the table. “Roman, I’m not here to savor anything. I’m here to make sure Sasha’s safe.”
He gives me a knowing look. “Then you better pace yourself. Breathe. You can’t help her by lashing out.”
I mutter under my breath but take a slow sip anyway, letting the warmth spread. Planning is fine. But patience? That’s a luxury I can’t afford when she’s out there in danger.
“One glass,” I tell Roman. “I can’t settle knowing I left Sasha alone back at the villa.”
He rolls his eyes, smirking. “Never thought the day would come when Lev Rusnak would be so obsessed with a girl.”
I shoot him a look, voice low and dry. “I didn’t think so either.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Guess some things change, huh?”
I set my glass down, the weight of it meaningless compared to the pit in my stomach. Obsession isn’t the right word. Protection. Fear. Anger. All of it wrapped up in one. Sasha isn’t just someone to care about—she’s mine to keep safe, and I’ll do whatever it takes.
My phone buzzes on the bar. I glance down and see Mikhail’s name flashing on the screen. My chest tightens. Why is he calling?
I snatch the phone and press it to my ear. “Mikhail. What—”
“Lev,” he bursts out, voice tight, clipped. “I just got to the villa…. It’s chaos. Sasha—she’s gone. We can’t find her anywhere. The cameras…nothing. She didn’t leave the house on record.”
My stomach drops, a cold, hollow weight settling in. My heart slams against my ribs. Every worst-case scenario explodes at once, and I can’t breathe fast enough.
Sasha.
My mind races, images flashing—her in the villa courtyard, her laughing, her soft hair brushing against my hand…gone. My hands ball into fists, nails digging into my palms.
I grit my teeth, trying to swallow the surge of fear and fury. Whoever did this is going to pay. Whoever dares touch her is going to regret it.
I push my chair back hard, the scrape of wood on tile loud in the quiet bar. I’m already moving toward the door when Roman catches up, hand on my shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his eyes sharp, reading me.
“Sasha’s missing,” I say, voice low but dangerous. “The villa’s in chaos. Cameras didn’t catch her leaving. She’s gone, Roman.”
His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t hesitate. “Let’s go.”
We hit the street in silence for a beat, then Roman slams the gas. The car lunges forward, and my fists clench on my knees, heart hammering. Every second she’s out there, she’s in danger. I can feel it in my bones.
We’re cutting through Athens like a knife through silk, every light, every turn a blur. My mind races—where she could be, who would take her, and how I’m going to bring her back.
The villa is silent when we pull up, but I already know the truth before I step inside. Sasha isn’t anywhere. My chest tightens as I slam the door open and storm through the foyer.
