I glanced at Ivan, still arguing fiercely for my exclusion from any Paraskia deal. “I don’t want to be controlled by anyone.”
“Of course not,” Jemma said. “But this could be your chance to do something meaningful with your skills. To be Iset out in the open, with protection instead of in the shadows. With your family’s support, instead of fighting alone.”
I considered her words carefully. This was a rare opportunity—the chance to leverage my abilities openly, with the backing of both my family and Ivan’s. I could potentially do more good, more safely, than I’d ever manage on my own. But there was always the concern of being led astray, of being used and manipulated. That was what Ivan had experienced. Grey had manipulated him and controlled every aspect of his existence. The thought of me falling under anyone’s influence probably terrified Ivan as much as it terrified me.
“I need to set the terms,” I said finally. “My terms, not theirs.”
Fee smiled, a fierce expression that reminded me so much of Alex. “Then go tell them, sister.”
I returned to Ivan’s side, my decision made. The men were still arguing, voices rising as Kozlova insisted on my participation, and both Ivan and Vince refused to consider it.
“Enough,” I said, stepping forward.
The room fell silent as I moved to the center of the battlefield, every eye fixed on me.
“I’ll be willing to work with the Paraskia, not for the Paraskia, but on my terms,” I stated clearly, my voice steady despite the thundering of my heart. “I will maintain complete autonomy over which assignments I accept. I will work independently, not under direct supervision. And I want three seats on the council—for Ivan, for Vince, and for Hawk.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Director Kozlova’s face remained impassive, but I caught the subtle tells of calculation in her eyes.
“Those are extensive demands, Ms. Salvini,” she said finally.
I shrugged. “Those are my conditions,” I said, not backing down. “You want what I can do. But I won’t be owned or controlled.”
Ivan caught my hand in his, a silent protest.
I squeezed his fingers gently. “Trust me,” I whispered, not taking my eyes off Kozlova.
The director and her advisors exchanged looks, having one of those silent conversations that people in power perfect over years of collusion. I waited, refusing to fidget under their scrutiny.
“Your terms are acceptable,” Kozlova said finally, the reluctance clear in her voice. “But we expect results, Ms. Salvini.”
A weight lifted from my shoulders—not from accepting their deal, but from taking control of my own destiny. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t hiding behind my brothers, behind a screen, or operating in the shadows. I was standing in the light, on my own terms.
Ivan pulled me aside as the group began to disperse, his expression troubled. “You don’t have to do this for me,” he said quietly, his fingers gentle on my arm despite the tension in his voice.
I reached up, touching his face with a tenderness that still felt new between us. “I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for me. And for us.”
His brow furrowed in confusion.
“This gives us both what we need,” I explained. “You get a safe break from the organization. I get to use my skills for something beyond revenge hacks and exposing corruption. And we get to do it together, with guardrails in place.” I gave him a small smile. “It’s the perfect solution.”
The concern in his eyes gradually shifted to something else—understanding and then pride. “You are the most extraordinary woman,” he said softly, his thumb brushing my cheek. “Terrifying, but extraordinary.”
“Good,” I replied, leaning into his touch. “You should be a little afraid of me.”
The ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Always, Shorty.”
As the meeting formally concluded, I watched the shifting dynamics between the players. Ivan and my brothers maintained a careful distance, not quite friends but no longer outright enemies. The Zotovs clustered together, their relief palpable now that they’d secured a future outside direct Paraskia control. Director Kozlova departed with her advisors, her rigid posture betraying her displeasure despite the compromise. I was pretty sure once the Zotovs had settled into their new freedom, and once Kozlova had cleaned up the Paraskia, Ivan would be open for a partnership…on his terms.
Vince approached me as I gathered my things, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk about…this,” he said, his gesture encompassing me and Ivan, still standing protectively at my side.
I straightened my spine. “Yes, we do. But my choice has been made.”
Jemma appeared at Vince’s side, slipping her arm through his with practiced ease. “Let’s talk on the flight back,” she said, giving me a conspiratorial smile.
Vince’s face softened slightly at his wife’s touch, but his eyes remained serious when they returned to me. “We’ll discuss this later,” he said before allowing Jemma to lead him away.
I watched them go, a mix of anxiety and determination settling in my chest. We’d survived this, but convincing my brothers to accept us—especially Vince—would be a battle of its own. But for the first time in my life, I knew exactly what I wanted, and I wasn’t afraid to demand it.
