Andrei didn’t flinch. “I’ll go.”
“And the rest of your… family?” The commander’s gaze slid to Viktor. “They understand the importance of discretion?”
Viktor smirked. “We’re Bratva, not circus performers.”
The commander chuckled softly. “One can never be sure.”
I shot Viktor a warning look, and he responded with a shrug that said he’d be on his best behavior for at least another thirty seconds.
The commander steepled his fingers. “Before we finalize this agreement, I’d like to bring in the last member of your operational team.”
My chest tightened. I knew exactly who that meant.
He pressed a button on the table.
The door behind us opened.
Footsteps. Light ones.
I didn’t turn immediately; I watched the faces across the table first.
Their expressions softened. Became polite. Almost too polite.
I finally looked.
Katerina stepped inside, her posture straight and face composed, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes when she saw the three of us seated there. She wore a fitted black jacket, dark trousers, and her dark brown hair was pulled back in a neat twist.
Efficient. Striking. Impossible not to notice.
Andrei sat up straighter. Subtle, but I noticed anyway. Viktor didn’t bother with subtle. His mouth curved upward withrebellion and intent, gaze sweeping over her in a way that told me he wasn’t just replaying strategy.
I felt my stomach tighten reflexively.
She approached the table, hands clasped behind her back. The commander gestured to a spot near him.
“Ms. Volkov,” he said smoothly. “Thank you for joining us.”
She nodded. “Sir.”
“We were just discussing the final details of the deal,” he continued. “Before we proceed, I want to confirm that you are willing to accept this assignment. Your expertise is… pivotal.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, albeit briefly. Assessing. Then to Andrei. Curious. And finally, inevitably, to Viktor.
She lingered there.
Too long.
Her breath seemed to pause for just a moment—just barely, but enough for Viktor to straighten a fraction, smugness glinting in his eyes at her obvious hesitation.
I felt a sensation unpleasantly close to jealousy scrape down my spine.
She looked away quickly, and faced the commander again.
“Yes,” she said. “I’m willing.”
Her voice was steady, but there was a tremor beneath it, buried so deep I doubted anyone else but me heard it.
The commander smiled, satisfied.
