"Yeah." She touches her lips with trembling fingers. "Definitely a mistake."
But neither of us moves. We stay pressed together against the wall, surrounded by broken glass and priceless art, breathing each other's air.
My phone rings.
The sound cuts through the moment like a knife. I step back, creating distance, trying to get my body under control. Trying to remember why kissing her was the worst idea I've had in fifteen years.
The caller ID shows Alexei Morozov.
I step away further, needing space before I answer. "Alexei."
"Maksim." His voice is tight. "I heard about Sonya's gallery. Is she hurt?"
"Minor cuts. She's fine."
"I'm only asking you because I know she won't tell me the truth. The attack—what happened?"
"Professional strike. They took her personal photographs from the Mariinsky and left everything valuable. This wasn't robbery." I pause. "It was a message."
Silence. Then: "From who?"
"Anton Kozlov. Her former partner."
"Jesus." Alexei's exhale is sharp. "I knew she had an accident at the Mariinsky. I didn't know—"
"I’m going to protect her.” The words hit differently than they should.
"...What?"
"I'm going to protect her. I need her. The man who did this is the same one who murdered my wife. I need her to get to him, and in return I'll stop him from hurting her."
“She's the last of my mother's bloodline. If something happens to her—" He stops. "I know you oppose everything I stand for. I know you think reform makes us weak. But I'm asking you anyway. Protect her."
I look across the gallery at Sonya. At this woman who just gave me the name I've been hunting for fifteen years. Who survived the monster that killed my wife. Whose taste is still on my lips.
Alexei Morozov. Chicago Bratva king who spent fifteen years building the legitimacy movement I've opposed at every turn. Married to Mila, the computer genius who dismantled corrupt operations and transformed Chicago's underworld toward legitimate business. Together they represent everything I've fought against—the reform that I blamed for Elena's vulnerability, for her death.
And now I have to protect the family of the man representing everything I've rejected.
The irony isn't lost on me.
"Okay," I say.
"Just like that?"
"Like I said, I need her." I cut him off. "And she's being hunted by this sick bastard. That's enough."
The monster I've been searching for has a name now, and I'm going to write it in his blood.
"Bring her to Philadelphia," Alexei says quietly. "Keep her safe. I'm trusting you with this, Maksim. Don't make me regret it."
"I won't."
The line goes dead.
I turn back to Sonya. She's watching me, those dark eyes seeing too much and her lips still swollen from my kiss.
"That was Alexei," I say. "You're coming to Philadelphia."
