“You’re the only one who can do it,” he says calmly, firmly.
“That’s not happening,” I repeat, the words heavy with restrained anger. I want to scream, curse, smash something—lose control—but I don’t. Composure is power, and I won’t give them the satisfaction.
“I don’t need a protector,” Valeria says sharply, stepping forward, posture defiant. “That’s…a bit much.”
“It’s not up for negotiation,” Mike says, voice flat. “Part of needing our help means doing what we tell you to do.”
Her eyes flash, but she doesn’t argue further. She doesn’t need to. Pride radiates from her like heat off metal, the kind that typically develops in people who grew up with power. Her body language suggests she doesn’t particularly appreciate being treated like a liability that needs guarding.
She simply stands, and I know she’s assessing me as much as I’m assessing her.
I stalk back to the door.
“Bullshit. I’m out of here.”
“Timofey!” Frustration twinges Mike’s voice.
I stop again. My hand hovers on the door handle. Valeria’s glare has sharpened into something like steel. Her chest rises and falls, chest high, chin lifted—defiance practically radiates off her.
“I don’t care about your arrangements,” I snap, voice low. “I’m not a babysitter. I’m not anyone’s protector. Least of all hers.”
Mike rises to his feet. “Step out with me for a moment, please.”
Eager to get away from the tension in the room, I follow him down the hall. My boots echo against the polished floor.
He stops at the edge of the stairs.
“What are you playing at?” I bark. “You can’t order me to do your bidding. I don’t like whatever this is.”
Mike exhales sharply. “It’s not about liking it. You’re assigned to her because we need to know she’s not hiding anything. Sebastian and Dimitri have looked into her story—they’ve confirmed parts of it—but there are questions we cannot ignore. She may have secrets, Timofey.”
I pause. Okay. So this is like an assignment. I can get behind that. Still…Valeria rubs me the wrong way.
Mike touches my shoulder. “It won’t be forever. Just until we’re sure she’s not a threat. If we let her go now, who knows who she’ll collaborate with? We need to be one step ahead.”
I take a deep breath and force myself to think objectively. I don’t have to like it. But he’s right. Holding her close, watching her every move—that’s the only way to protect our interests.
“Why does it have to be me?”
“You’re the only one available,” he says, smiling faintly. “Besides, you’re observant. Tactical. You notice details others miss. You’re the best for this.”
I run a hand down my face as he drops the next bomb.
“You’re going to have to keep her in your residence. Under your supervision.”
I exhale sharply. “Fuck.”
It’s not like I didn’t already expect it. Where else would she stay if I’m to protect and watch her?
We linger in silence for a moment before I nod. There’s no other way around it. We head back to the office.
Mike turns to Valeria, his tone firm. “You’ll be going home with Timofey. You’re under his protection from now on.”
Her lips purse, but she doesn’t speak. Her eyes meet mine, and there’s that same spark of defiance, unbroken. I feel the tension coil tighter, like a wire stretched too far.
I think I might enjoy watching her squirm.
I stalk beside her as we exit the office, the air between us thick and taut. She walks like she’s on guard, boots clicking sharply against the polished floor. Not afraid. Not submissive. Just…calculating. Every movement deliberate, every glance measured.
