Arkady Voronin.
Arkady is not impulsive or emotional, and never prone to spectacle. He is patient and methodical, preferring distance and the illusion of detachment while positioning himself to undermine me aspakhan. I’ve known since Alexei Morozov gave Rowan that information with his dying breath. Arkady intends to challenge my authority, but now it’s clear that his ambition doesn’t stop with the Bratva, because he’s willing to extend his reach toward Rowan and, by extension, her family.
“When was the escalation planned?” I continue.
Daniel shakes his head weakly. His breathing has become erratic, his chest rising too quickly, as if his body can’t keep pace with the strain.
“We were told not to escalate,” he whispers.
“Repeat that.”
“Not to escalate,” he says again, louder this time as if volume might make the statement more convincing.
“Why?”
His lips part. His tongue drags across his dry lips before he speaks again.
“Because she’s more valuable untouched.”
I study him carefully. His pupils are wide now from adrenaline and fear. His shoulders sag, fatigue sinking into his posture. His defiance has dissolved into survival.
“Clarify,” I instruct.
His gaze trembles but remains on my face. He senses that this answer matters more than the others.
“She’s leverage,” he breathes. “That’s what Victor said. That you’d respond differently if it involved her.”
His pulse jumps visibly in his neck. The artery throbs beneath his slick, sweaty skin.
“Differently,” I repeat.
“Less predictable,” he adds quickly. “More emotional.”
The assumption is almost impressive. Arkady believes attachment will weaken the organized structure of the Bratva. He believes Rowan will destabilize me.
I lean forward slightly, my elbows resting on my knees, reducing the distance between us without raising my voice.
“Explain how she becomes leverage,” I say quietly.
Daniel hesitates. Mikel reaches toward the third finger again, not breaking it yet, only positioning the tool where Daniel can see it clearly.
“She wasn’t supposed to be hurt,” Daniel rushes out. “Not directly. Just… exposed. Shaken.”
“To what end?”
“So you’d protect her,” he answers. “So you’d pull resources inward and start guarding her instead of focusing outward.”
The strategy unfolds clearly in my mind. Force protection that triggers an emotional reaction, redirect attention that narrows my focus, and create distractions designed to pull me inward. Arkady believes I can be steered.
Daniel’s breathing becomes shallow, his words tumbling over each other now in desperation.
“Victor said the backer wants patience,” he continues. “Wants you stretched thin. He wants you watching the wrong direction.”
“Define wrong.”
Daniel swallows again, his throat working visibly.
“Looking at enemies you already know,” he mutters. “Instead of the ones you don’t.”
