Page 43 of Tainted Empire

He nods, releasing me and opening the car door for me. “Let’s go home.”

As I get into the car, our eyes meet, and there’s an unspoken understanding between us. We need to talk, but not here, not now.

I watch the safe house disappear in the rearview mirror, a chapter closing behind us. But I know this story is far from over. Lee’s trip to Ireland, the receipt, the unspoken tensions – they’re all pieces of a puzzle we have yet to solve.

“We need to talk about Lee,” I say, turning to Mikhail.

He glances at me, his expression serious. “Yeah, we do. But first, let’s get you home. We’re safer there.”

I nod, settling back into the seat. Home. The word feels like a promise, a sanctuary amidst the chaos.

But I know better now.

Chapter 24

Mikhail

The car slides smoothly into the underground garage of our penthouse, a tense quiet hangs in the air, thick with unspoken thoughts. The situation with Lee is like a splinter in my mind, sharp and incessant.

Lee, my best friend, a brother in arms, now a potential threat. It’s a fucking betrayal I can’t wrap my head around.

Gabriette’s been silent most of the drive, her gaze fixed out the window, lost in her own thoughts. As the elevator takes us up to our penthouse, she’s still distant, the revelations about Lee casting long shadows in her eyes.

Once inside, she finally opens up, telling me about everything Lee has been teaching her.

“She taught me hand-to-hand combat first,” she begins, her voice steady. “Basic moves at first, then more advanced techniques. How to throw a punch, block an attack, and use an opponent’s weight against them.”

I nod, intrigued, feeling a spark of curiosity light up. “Show me,” I say, rolling up my sleeves. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

She hesitates for a moment, then squares her shoulders, determination etched in her stance. “Okay, but don’t go easy on me.”

I smirk, slipping into a defensive pose. “Wouldn’t dream of it, love.”

We start off easy, Gabriette throwing a tentative punch which I deflect with a casual flick of my wrist. “Come on, Malyshka, you can hit harder than that,” I tease, hoping to draw out her real strength.

She takes a deep breath and launches a faster, more forceful punch. I block it, but the impact reverberates up my arm. “That’s more like it! Now, try to break through my defense.”

She nods, her eyes narrowing with focus. She feints to the left and then swiftly moves right, her movements quick and fluid. I counter her attack, but her agility catches me off guard. She’s picking up these skills faster than I anticipated.

Our sparring intensifies, filling the room with the sound of our playful combat. Her confidence grows with each move, her techniques becoming more polished.

Unexpectedly, she lands a solid hit on my shoulder, and I can’t suppress a laugh. “Damn, baby, Lee’s done a hell of a job with you.”

She flashes a triumphant grin, a hint of pride in her eyes. “That’s not all. She’s been teaching me how to handle a gun, safety procedures, aiming, shooting... even some Russian and underworld slang to blend in.”

Raising an eyebrow, both impressed and slightly apprehensive, I comment, “You’re turning into a real badass, aren’t you?”

With a shrug and a mischievous glint in her eye, she replies, “Had to keep up with you, didn’t I? Besides, no one will expect the trophy wife of a Pakhan to know the ins and outs.”

I pull her into a hug, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me – pride, love, and a niggling sense of unease. “Color me fucking impressed. Really. But remember, all this... it’s just a precaution.”

She rests her head against my chest, her voice muffled but firm. “I know. But it feels good to be prepared. To feel like I’m not just some damsel in distress.”

We linger in the embrace, the world outside momentarily forgotten. But the gnawing thought of Lee’s potential betrayal lingers in the back of my mind, a dark cloud threatening the horizon of our lives.

Despite the storm brewing inside me, I can’t help but feel a surge of pride. Gabriette’s come a long way, fast. “I’m proud of you,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head. “You’ve picked up so much, so fast. It’s... incredible.”

She pulls away and grins. “I’ve had a good teacher.”