Sergei leans back, settled in his own certainty. “A marriage within the council would settle everything.” He says this like he’s been pushing it hard and just needs a signal from me. Even the smallest signal.
His eyes meet mine, expectant.
I gaze back, unblinking. Vasiliev’s smile widens.
I nod once. Slow, still holding Sergei with my eyes. “I’ll consider what you’ve said.” Then I look at Viktor and nod.
That’s enough for them.
The meeting ends the way they always do, with every move measured. Polite words, formal gestures, nothing loud, nothing direct. No one raises their voice. No threats are spoken aloud. The doors close behind us without hurry, without sound.
A man steps out as we reach the curb. No questions. Just walks up and opens the rear door of the same car that brought us. We get in without needing to speak. This isn’t a send-off. It’s a reminder. We’re being placed where they can still reach us.
The driver drops us off two blocks from our current residence. Dominik walks a half step ahead of me. He doesn’t speak until we’re inside the building.
“They’re moving faster,” he says, opening the door to our apartment.
“They’re moving to kill you,” I reply.
He turns to look at me. “Why would you say that?”
I keep my voice calm. “Nikolai said removal. That wasn’t leverage. That was a notice.”
His mouth tightens. “‘Removal’ is pressure. Not a verdict. The council postures.”
“No,” I say. “They’re preparing.”
Back at the apartment, Dominik starts planning without pause, routes, exits, safer locations. He talks about doubling security, pulling in favors that are already worn thin.
I let him talk. I don’t interrupt. I don’t tell him I’m not alone anymore. There’s a child inside me. His child. And now I see the board clearly. If I stay, they’ll kill him first.
When he finally stops, I meet his eyes. “If I stay, you die.”
He shakes his head. “I won’t let you disappear.”
That night, while he sleeps on the couch, I start building my exit. I wait until his breathing evens out, then move to the kitchen and call Irina. She picks up on the first ring.
“Madam?” she whispers.
“Don’t ask questions. Just answer. Understand?”
“Yes,” she says.
“Did anyone follow you to the hotel?”
“I didn’t,” she says firmly. I believe her. I never thought she knew I’d be taken at gunpoint, hauled into a safehouse, locked down for breaking. I’ve known Irina since she was a child. She’s family. Poor, careful, and still tied to me by debt. She contacted Dominik. She didn’t run. She stayed in the Markov mansion and didn’t flinch when they came looking.
“Are you still in the mansion?” I ask, reminding her to answer in yes or no.
“Yes.”
“I need cash and my jewelry. Can you arrange it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m coming in myself,” I say.
“Yes.”
