Page 17 of Tainted Empire

This isn’t just about learning how to fight or speak a new language. It’s about claiming my place in this world, about standing beside Mikhail not just as his wife, but as his equal. It’s about taking control of my own narrative, and I’m ready for whatever that entails.

Chapter 11

Mikhail

I step into the damp cellar and look at the two people tied to the chairs with their backs to me. Ivan brought them in half an hour ago and they’re still passed out, but they should be waking up soon.

I know if Lorenzo didn’t send me those surveillance tapes in time, they’d be long gone by now. But they both have a weakness, one I’m about to exploit even if that makes me the fucking bad guy.

A groan comes from the blonde and she moves her head slightly. I cross my arms, smirking because she’s the weaker one. The brunette will be harder to crack, though. She may seem like the timid one, but she’s the one who is ruthless.

I’ll be killing two mafia princesses in a few minutes. Well, I don’t know if they can be considered that since their fathers are low on the chain of command.

Now the brunette wakes and her head immediately snaps up. She assesses her surroundings and when she sees the blonde, she gasps.

“Giselle,” she murmurs, shifting in her chair and trying to move. “Giselle, you stupid bitch, wake up!”

The blonde groans and her head lols to the side, but her eyes must be adjusting, because she lets out a squeak and turns her head toward the brunette.

“Marie? What…?” she trails off, and that’s the fucking voice I heard at the restaurant. “What is happening? Why are—”

“I don’t fucking know,” the brunette growls, shifting again and I know she’s trying to break her fucking thumb to get out of the cuffs. “I thought you disappeared like they told us to!”

Oh, that’s interesting.

“I was about to, but Lyssa’s father didn’t want me to see her one last time, so I had to make plans to take her!” the blonde cries out, and there’s my leverage. “Who took us? Why are—”

“I did,” I finally say as I step out of the shadows, watching them both stiffen up. “I’m sure I don’t need any introduction, Marie Carerra and Giselle Benito.”

I walk around and stand in front of them with a smirk on my face, and even as I notice the defiance on the brunette’s face, I also see the fear. She’s scared as hell, because she knows she’s not leaving here alive.

“Or should I say,” I grin as I lower to one knee in front of them. “Emma and Lucy.”

The more I looked into Gabriette’s ‘freedom’, the more I realized how her father played her. Everyone around her were actors just playing their parts in a play her father orchestrated, a father who has gone fucking missing.

I can see the realization dawn on their faces – they’re in deep shit and they know it. The air in the cellar is thick with tension, a tangible dread that clings to the damp walls.

The blonde, Giselle or ‘Emma’, her eyes widen in terror as recognition dawns.

“Mikhail Baranov,” she whispers, her voice trembling. The brunette, Marie or ‘Lucy’, on the other hand, clenches her jaw, a futile attempt to mask her fear.

“That’s right,” I confirm coldly, my gaze shifting between the two. “You two have been very busy, haven’t you? Playing the role of Gabriette’s friends, all the while spying on her, reporting back every move.”

The blonde looks on the verge of tears, her facade of innocence crumbling under the weight of her predicament. Marie, on the other hand, remains defiant, her eyes blazing with a mix of fear and hatred.

“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” Marie spits out, but her voice lacks conviction. She’s trying to play tough, but her eyes betray her.

“Cut the crap,” I growl, moving closer. “We have you on tape the night I was drugged.”

Giselle’s eyes widen in panic, but Marie remains silent, her jaw set in a stubborn line.

“Why?” I ask, leaning in so close I can see the fear in their eyes. “Who sent you?”

“It doesn’t matter now,” Marie says, trying to sound brave. “You won’t let us out of here alive.”

I chuckle darkly, standing up straight. “You’re right about that. But before you meet your end, you’re going to tell me everything. Who’s behind this? Why Gabriette?”

“We were just following orders,” Giselle whimpers, her eyes darting around, looking for an escape she won’t find.