That alone says more than anything.
I take the box from Misha.
Slowly. Then set it on my desk.
Everyone watches as I open it.
Inside is a USB drive.
Nothing dramatic.
No blood. No theatrics.
Which makes it worse.
I plug it into my laptop without a word.
The room tightens behind me as Lukyan, Misha, and Valeria all step closer.
The file opens.
The screen flickers.
And then he appears.
Anton Petrov.
Calm. Composed. Almost amused.
I lean back slightly in my chair, eyes locked on the screen.
Valeria goes still behind me.
Anton smiles like this is personal entertainment.
“Congratulations on your marriage, cousin,” he says, voice smooth. “I see you’ve found shelter under the Rusnak name.” The smile sharpens. “As if that will save you.”
My jaw tightens.
He continues without rushing.
“You can hide her. You can guard her. You can surround her with your little empire.”
His gaze shifts slightly, like he knows exactly who is in the room.
“But she belongs to me.”
Silence in the office turns heavy.
“I will come for her myself,” Anton says. “And when I do….”
His expression darkens.
“I will reclaim what is mine.”
He pauses ominously, then laughs darkly.
“And if your city has to burn for it….”
