I turn to Alina, who's been watching this exchange with wide green eyes. She looks torn, caught between two worlds, two men, two impossible choices. Something in my chest tightens at the sight of her confusion.
"Alexei will be with you the entire time," I tell her. "He'll stay close, but he won't interfere with your family time."
She nods slowly, and I see relief mixed with apprehension in her face. She wants to see her sister, her mother. I understand that. But she's also smart enough to sense the danger in this situation.
"I'll get my things," she says quietly, then turns and heads back upstairs.
The moment she's gone, the atmosphere in the foyer shifts. Viktor's mask drops slightly, and I see the cold calculation underneath.
"You're making a mistake, Dimitri," he says, his voice low enough that only I can hear. "Keeping my daughter here against her will."
"She just told you she's staying willingly."
"She's traumatized. Confused. She doesn't know what she wants."
I step closer, closing the distance between us until we're nearly face to face. "She knows exactly what she wants. And what she doesn't want is to be sold off like property to secure your alliances."
Something flickers in Viktor's eyes. Anger, maybe. Or recognition that I see through his games.
"Careful, Dimitri," he says softly. "You're making enemies you can't afford."
"I've had enemies my entire life. One more won't make a difference."
We stare at each other, and I'm reminded of why I've never trusted Viktor Popov. He's ambitious, ruthless, and willing to sacrifice anything for power. Including his own daughter.
Alexei appears at my side, and I'm grateful for his presence. He's been with me long enough to read situations like this, to know when violence is about to erupt.
"Ready when you are,Pakhan," he says quietly.
I nod, then turn back to Viktor. "Three hours. Not a minute more. If she's not back by then, I'm coming to get her."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a promise."
Alina returns carrying a small purse, her face pale but composed. She's changed into a simple dress, something modest and appropriate for visiting family. She looks young, vulnerable, and every protective instinct I have screams at me not to let her go.
But I have to. Refusing will only make things worse.
"Alexei, stay with her. Don't let her out of your sight. If anything feels wrong, if anyone tries to separate you from her, you get her out of there immediately."
"Understood." Alexei's face is grim. He knows the stakes as well as I do.
I turn to Alina, and the urge to pull her aside, to kiss her, to make her promise she'll come back, is almost overwhelming. Instead, I gesture toward the door.
"A moment," I say to Viktor, then take Alina's arm and guide her a few steps away from the crowd.
Her green eyes search my face, looking for something. Reassurance, maybe. Or permission to leave.
"I need to give you something," I say quietly, reaching into my pocket. I pull out a small pendant on a delicate silver chain. It looks like a simple piece of jewelry, elegant but understated. "Put this on."
She takes it, examining the pendant with confusion. "It's beautiful, but?—"
"It's a panic button." I keep my voice low, aware of all the eyes watching us. "If anything goes wrong, if you feel threatened or unsafe, you press the center stone. My men will come immediately."
Her fingers close around the pendant, and I see understanding dawn in her eyes. "You think my father will try something."
"I think your father wants you alone for a reason." I reach up and fasten the chain around her neck, my fingers brushing against her skin. She shivers at the contact, and I feel an answering heat in my own body. "Be careful, Alina. Your father is not the man you think he is."
