Alexei laughs again. “Amazing.”
I keep my eyes on Dmitri. “There is no defense.”
At that, something in the room eases. Not because anyone forgives me. Because at least I’m not stupid enough to insult them with excuses.
Dmitri’s voice turns colder. “So what do you propose?”
“Let me finish the operation.”
Alexei makes a disgusted sound.
I go on anyway. “I’ll give you everything I have. Every route, every name, every house, every account, every man I can turn before the Morozov side knows they’ve been sold out.”
“And after that?” Dmitri asks.
“After that, I submit to whatever justice you decide.”
Alexei’s eyes narrow. “How generous.”
“It isn’t generosity.”
“What is it, then?”
I look at him. “A debt. Not to any of you, but to Polina. I need to know that at the end of all this, she’s safe.”
Tony’s face gives nothing away. Boris watches me as if he’s taking my measure for the first time and not enjoying the result. Dmitri says nothing for so long that I start to hear the clock on the far wall.
At last he asks, “You’ll accept any outcome? Even if Polina asks for your death?”
My answer comes without effort. “Yes.”
Dmitri studies my face as if he expects to catch the lie forming before I can speak it. He won’t. There are many things I’ve lied about. This is not one of them.
Finally he nods once. “All right. You will remain available at all times. You’ll give Tony full access to everything you have on the Morozov side, and you won’t leave the compound without my approval. You will not go near Polina unless she asks to see you.”
That last one lands harder than the rest, but I nod anyway. “Understood.”
His eyes stay on mine. “Do not mistake patience for mercy, Lev. This conversation is not over.”
Alexei pushes away from the chair. “If he runs, I want the first shot.”
“I’m not running,” I state.
“That’s your best idea today.”
Dmitri closes the file. “Get out.”
I leave before anybody decides to improve the morning with blood.
The walk back to my quarters feels longer than the one in. Men nod as I pass. A few avoid my eyes. News moves fast in places like this. So does judgment.
Ruslan is waiting just outside my door. He pushes off the wall when he sees me. “You look terrible.”
“Thank you.”
“How bad was it?”
“Bad enough that Alexei wanted to shoot me in Dmitri’s office.”
