“I’ll go out there and talk to them, see what more I can find,” Timofey says to me. “While I do that, get Ellie into the bunker so she’s safe.”
Over the next half hour, I shift into command mode instantly, every muscle taut, every thought racing. Timofey is already mobilizing countermeasures—security teams securing exits, surveillance feeds rerouted, internal doors locked down. Legal teams scramble, trying to buy time, but I already know the gravity of what we’re facing.
Timofey has managed to obtain more information for us. The charges—they’re severe. Conspiracy. Technological facilitation of organized crime. International trafficking enhancement. And all eyes point at Ellie.
I feel cold fury settle in my chest. This isn’t random. This is precise. The syndicate that orchestrated her kidnapping, the one we’ve been tracking, has now positioned her as the scapegoat.
If the authorities succeed in arresting her, they remove a liability and, simultaneously, neutralize a threat—Ellie herself.
I tighten my fists. I won’t let that happen. Not while she’s mine. Not while I can stop it.
The feds refuse to leave, and according to Timofey, they’re procuring documents that’ll give them legal cover to storm the estate and take Ellie by force.
Within minutes, I initiate contingency plans even Timofey didn’t know existed. Hidden escape routes unlock. Digital servers begin self-erasure protocols, shredding any traceof sensitive data. Every inch of the estate is mapped in my mind, every exit, every choke point.
I turn to Ellie, eyes sharp. “We’re leaving. Through the underground safe route. There’s a secondary safe house. You’ll be fine if you trust me.”
Her brow furrows, lips pressed tight. “Mike, I’ve done nothing wrong. Why should I run?”
I brush a stray lock of hair from her face, voice steady, almost gentle. “Survival isn’t about guilt. It’s strategy. Right now, running keeps you alive, and that’s the only thing that matters.”
She hesitates, then nods, finally letting me take the lead.
We descend into the tunnels beneath the estate, moving quickly, silently, the hum of alarms fading above us. Echoes of the sirens reach us even here, a reminder of the world hunting us, but they don’t touch us. Not yet.
Minutes later, we emerge into one of our cars. I grip the wheel, Ellie at my side, and we drive into the night, leaving the estate far behind. Miles away, we reach the secondary safe house—a fortified sanctuary where she can finally breathe, even if only for a moment.
I glance at her as we pull in, and she meets my eyes, fear and trust tangled in her gaze. I reach over, taking her hand in mine, a silent promise. “We’re not done. But for now…you’re safe.”
Alone together for the first time since our marriage, the absence of guards, allies, and infrastructure feels almost surreal. The world outside—the estate, the betrayal, the chaos—exists somewhere else. Just for a moment, it’s just us.
Ellie sinks into the couch, shoulders hunched as the tension finally bleeds out of her. I make calls with my brothers, who assure me Timofey has updated them and they’re en routeto the estate. Konstantin warns that I may lose the property; the feds are prepared to lock it down since I didn’t surrender Ellie.
I breathe through it, telling them where we are and that we’re fine, then hang up. Returning to the living room, I sit beside Ellie.
“What’s the update?” she asks softly, her voice still carrying the weight of the morning’s chaos.
I exhale, shaking my head. “We might lose the estate.”
Her expression falters, sadness flashing across her features. “How do you feel about it?”
I chuckle softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Honestly? All I feel right now is freedom. Being here with you, alone, like we have no problems in the world.”
Ellie leans closer, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Thank you…for always protecting me,” she whispers, her fingers lingering over mine.
I pull her closer, holding her against me, letting the warmth of her body erase the tension of the last few days. “I’ll always protect you, Ellie. No matter what comes next, you’re not facing it alone.”
She smiles softly, eyes shimmering in the dim light. “I know…and I’m so glad. I don’t think I could do any of this without you.”
I tuck her closer against me, feeling the rise and fall of her chest against mine. “We’ve made it this far. And we’ll keep making it. Step by step.”
She lets out a small laugh, tired but genuine. “Step by step…I like that. Even if the world is falling apart outside these walls, at least we have this—us.”
I nod, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Exactly. First, we lay low, regroup, and figure out our next move. We can’t rush into anything—every detail counts now.”
Ellie lifts her head slightly to look at me. “Do you think we can trace the syndicate fully? Find the woman who’s really pulling the strings? Do we even know her name yet?”
I hold her gaze, feeling her determination mirror my own. “Not yet, but we’re close. We just have to be smart, cautious. For now, we gather intelligence, tighten our circle, and make sure we’re untouchable.”
