Page 35 of Tainted Empire
Mikhail’s admission that he can’t trust those close to him makes me realize just how isolated we’ve become in this battle. It’s us against an unseen enemy, one who always feels a step ahead.
Walking into the elevator with Mikhail, I immediately sense a shift in his demeanor. The commanding presence he usually carries seems to have dimmed under a cloud of uncertainty. It’s strange and somewhat disconcerting to see this other side of him, a side that betrays his inner turmoil.
As the elevator ascends, he stands with a quiet tension, his eyes fixed on the closing doors. He’s quiet, lost in thought, and it’s almost like he’s miles away, even though he’s right next to me. His hand absentmindedly taps against his thigh – a small sign that he’s not as composed as he usually is.
“Mikhail, are you okay?” I ask, breaking the silence. My voice seems to jolt him slightly, drawing his attention back to the present.
He turns his head to look at me, his eyes reflecting a mix of worry and determination. “Yeah, I’m just... there’s a lot on my mind,” he replies, trying to sound casual but not quite hitting the mark.
The elevator dings, and we’re at our floor. He steps out and offers me his hand to help me out. It’s a small gesture, but it says a lot. He’s trying to be there for me, even when he’s clearly got a lot on his mind.
I nod, understanding. The weight of his world, our world, seems heavier tonight. As we step into the penthouse, the familiarity of the space wraps around us. It feels like a sanctuary, away from the chaos outside.
Mikhail seems to relax a bit as the elevator closes behind us. “Thanks for asking,” he adds after a moment, his voice softer now.
“You know, if there’s anything you want to talk about...” I start, trailing off, giving him the space to open up if he needs to.
He gives me a half-smile, a gesture that seems to carry a world of emotions. “Thanks, Gabriette. It means a lot, really. It’s just... complicated,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to burden you with this.”
I step closer, wanting to bridge the gap that’s grown between us. “We’re in this together, remember? Your burdens are mine, too.”
I can tell he’s trying to put up a brave front, to keep the Pakhan facade. But in this moment, in our home, he’s just Mikhail – complex, burdened, and unmistakably human.
Chapter 20
Mikhail
As I settle onto the couch, a glass of wine in hand, I can’t shake off the gnawing sensation in my gut. Gabriette’s sharp eyes study me, and I know she senses that something’s off. She’s always been perceptive like that. I take a sip, letting the rich flavor of the wine momentarily distract me from the turmoil inside.
“Mikhail?” Gabriette’s voice cuts through my reverie, pulling me back to the present.
I glance at her, knowing it’s time to lay it all out. She deserves the full picture, even if it’s fucking ugly.
I take a deep breath, feeling the tension knotting up in my chest. “There’s a lot going on, Gabriette. More than I’ve let on,” I start, my voice steady but heavy with the burden of my thoughts.
She looks at me, her eyes sharp and understanding. “I know, I can tell. Just... spill it. What’s eating you?”
I breathe out a sigh, happy to have her here willing to listen to me and confused after what she’s just said about Lee.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately,” I start, my voice steady despite the chaos inside. “About trust, about the people close to me. And after what you overheard... It’s made me realize something.”
She leans forward, her eyes locked onto mine, urging me to continue.
“I don’t fucking trust anyone anymore,” I confess, the words tasting bitter. “Except you. I don’t know what the hell is going on with Lee, and that scares me because she’s always been in my corner. But now... now I feel like even those closest to me might be against me.”
“You think it’s someone in our circle?”
I nod grimly. “Yeah. And what you overheard with Lee... it doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve known her for years; she’s family for fuck’s sake, but now, I don’t know what to fucking think.”
Gabriette’s expression shifts from concern to a mix of understanding and determination. “If you think someone close is behind this, we need to be careful. We can’t just blindly trust anyone.”
I nod, feeling a surge of appreciation for her support. “Exactly. It’s like the person pulling the strings knows too much, too many personal details. It has to be someone close, someone who knows us, knows me, well.”
She takes a sip of her wine, her gaze never leaving mine. “So, what’s the plan? How do we handle this?”
I sigh, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. “I don’t know, Malyshka. I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. All I know is that we need to be careful, more careful than ever.”
She reaches out, her hand finding mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll figure this out, together. You’re not alone in this, Mikhail. You’ve got me.”