He’d carried those words for years, swallowing them every time he’d been too young or too powerless to speak. Not anymore. Not when Viktor needed something only he could give.
Viktor’s jaw tightened. “Your remarks border on disrespect. Mind your tone.”
“If respecting her is a problem for you,” Adrik said, calm as a blade, “then I’ll tell her to stay here, where her life doesn’t have to shrink to fit your expectations.”
“I trained you too well for your own good. And you drive a hard bargain, Adrik.” Viktor nodded.
“Do I have your word?” Adrik asked.
Viktor nodded. “Yes.”
Burin snorted. “You’re such a kiss-ass, Adrik.”
Adrik’s patience snapped. “Fuck off.”
He could feel the pressure building behind his ribs—anger, exhaustion, the urge to walk out and never look back.He wanted to go home. He wanted Hans. He wanted out of this house.
Viktor cleared his throat loudly, the sound echoing off the kitchen walls. “We will not continue the day like this.”
Too late. The day started the moment he woke up in this house.
Viktor looked at him again, more carefully this time. “Do I have your word you will tell your mother she should return home with me?”
Adrik smirked without meaning to. “Yes, Boss Marinov.”
The old title slipped out naturally, and all three of them burst into laughter. Even Adrik couldn’t help it. It felt strange—warm, almost nostalgic. For a minute, Adrik feared his father was luring him back in.
“I haven’t heard that in a while,” Viktor said, staring into his coffee mug. Steam curled up toward his face, and Adrik noticed the shine in his father’s eyes. Viktor didn’t wipe them away. Pretended it wasn’t there. “I miss you every day.”
Adrik swallowed. “You’re still my father. No one can change that.”
Across the table, Viktor reached and touched the sleeve on his arm. “Please forgive me.”
Adrik met his gaze, steady but honest. “I’m not ready to do that yet.”
Viktor nodded, accepting it without argument.
Then Burian spoke up. “Hey, Adrik. You were right about one thing. I can’t take your place beside Dad.”
Adrik raised an eyebrow. “So, now what?”
“I’m back to being the family accountant.”
Good. That’s where he belongs.
Adrik pushed his chair back and stood. “I need to check in for all my flights to Germany for tomorrow morning.”
Viktor nodded, though disappointment flashed across his face. “I wish you were making plans for New York City. But I understand why you don’t want to come home yet.”
“Not this time.” Adrik feared if he stayed any longer at the table with his father, he might be sucked back into the family.Not working. A future with no work bothered him. Viktor was right. He wasn’t ready to retire, and getting a job would be nearly impossible. He wasn’t sure he could operate within the bounds of legality. The thought alone made his stomach tighten—he honestly had no idea.
“Wait,” Viktor said. “Burian has something to say to you.”
Adrik stopped in the doorway and turned, arms crossed.
Burian shifted in his chair, not quite meeting Adrik’s eyes. “I’m… sorry,” he said, the word dragged out like it cost him something. “For my part in the Sergei situation. I didn’t expect it to… escalate.”
Adrik heard the unspokenyou made it worsetucked neatly under the apology.
