The man lets out a weak breath.
“Two days,” he says. “He’ll be here in two days.”
That’s all the answer I need.
Everything clicks into place at once.
The empty warehouse.
The rushed withdrawal.
The resistance here without real leadership.
They weren’t protecting him.
They were preparing for him.
I straighten slowly.
Two days.
That’s not a delay.
That’s a window.
Without another word, I turn away.
“Finish them,” I tell Misha as I stride out. “And meet me outside in five minutes.”
Chapter 23 – Valeria
The mansion feels unusually lively that afternoon.
Several of the women connected to the Rusnak family have gathered in one of the sitting rooms, filling the space with soft laughter, conversation, and easy familiarity that feels almost foreign here now.
They’re here for me.
I know that much.
A distraction. To cheer me up.
An attempt to pull me out of the weight that has settled over everything since the poisoning. Since the raids. Since the constant reminder that nothing about our lives is safe anymore.
I sit between Ellie and Sofia, trying—actually trying—to enjoy it.
Sienna is in the middle of a story, her hands moving as she talks, her expression animated, making it impossible not to pay attention. Vivian listens with quiet amusement, occasionally adding something that makes the others laugh even harder.
I find myself smiling.
Timofey is out raiding Anton’s hideout, and I’m worried out of my mind. That’s why he organized this hangout yesterday, because he doesn’t want me to stress. But how can I not stress when he’s out there literally in the middle of a war and I can’t help?
The women’s laughter drags me back to the moment again.
For a moment, I let myself lean into it—the sound of voices, the warmth of the room, the normalcy of something as simple as women sitting together and talking about things that don’t revolve around survival.
“How are you feeling?” Sofia asks, nudging me. She’s not a Rusnak wife, but Timofey knows how much her presence means to me. And he’s not wrong. I’m grateful she’s here.
“I’m fine,” I say, brushing it off lightly.
