Page 44 of Tainted Empire
I pull her close again, my hands resting on her waist. “You’re amazing, you know that? Lee might have shown you the moves, but you’ve made them your own.”
She leans into me, her eyes meeting mine. “I wanted to be more than just the woman behind the man. I wanted to stand with you, not behind you.”
I kiss her forehead, feeling a surge of affection. “You’re my queen, Malyshka. Always by my side, never in the background.”
Her training goes beyond just physical skills. She tells me more about the gun training and the underworld slang. “Lee made sure I wasn’t just learning to fight. I was learning to survive in your world.”
I nod, knowing how crucial these skills are, especially for the wife of a Pakhan. “You need to know this, especially if something happens to me and I’m not there.”
The words taste bitter in my mouth—the idea of not being there to protect her is unbearable. “I’ll have Alexei and Viktor train with you from tomorrow. They’ve been by my side for a long time, and will teach you what they know.”
But then my thoughts shift back to Lee, and a cold anger coils in my gut. Lee, who’s been more than a friend – a partner in this fucked-up life we lead. The idea of her playing us, it’s like a blade twisting in my chest.
“I just... can’t fucking believe Lee would...” My voice fades, the sentence too painful to finish.
Gabriette’s hand finds my arm, her touch grounding. “We don’t know for sure yet, Mikhail. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
She’s right, of course. But inside, I’m a mess of anger and disbelief. How could Lee, after everything we’ve been through, turn on us? We’ve stared down death together, and now this? It’s a fucking joke.
Turning away, I look out over the city, its lights a sharp contrast to the darkness I feel inside. If Lee’s really gone rogue, it’s a betrayal I’m not sure I can forgive or forget.
But right now, Gabriette needs me to be strong, to be clear-headed. “You’re right,” I say, turning back to her. “We need to be sure before we act.”
Deep down, though, the hurt is real. Lee was more than a friend; she’s family. And if she’s turned against us, it’s a lesson I’ll never forget. Trust is a rare commodity in our world, and apparently, even the closest of friends can turn out to be just another enemy in disguise.
Standing there, looking at Gabriette, I make a silent promise. I’ll protect her, our life, our future, at any cost. Even if it means facing the bitter truth about an old friend.
In our world, it always comes down to survival, loyalty, and love. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone, even an old friend, threaten that.
That night, with the city lights casting a soft glow through the bedroom windows and Gabriette’s peaceful breathing filling the room, I find myself unable to sleep.
The unease about Lee gnaws at me, an unshakable shadow in the back of my mind. I slip out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb her, and head to the balcony with my phone in hand.
Dialing my father’s number, I step into the cool night air. He answers after a few rings, his voice heavy with sleep. “Mikhail? What’s wrong?”
I hesitate, the words sticking in my throat. “It’s about Lee,” I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I suspect she might be... involved in something. Something not right.”
There’s a pause, and I can almost hear the gears turning in my father’s head. “Lee? Mikhail, are you sure? She’s practically family.”
I run a hand through my hair, frustration and doubt mingling in my chest. “I know, Pappa. But there are things... things that don’t add up. I can’t just ignore them.”
His sigh is heavy over the line. “This is a dangerous path, son. Questioning Lee... it’s like questioning a part of ourselves. Her uncle is my best friend, for God’s sake. You grew up together. She’s–”
“I know,” His words weigh on me, echoing my own inner turmoil. “I know that. It’s just... I need to know the truth, for my own piece of mind. That’s why I’m letting you know that I no longer trust Liadan Vittori until I’m proven wrong.”
There’s a long silence, and when my father speaks again, his voice is laden with caution. “Just be careful, Mikhail. Doubt is a powerful thing. Once it takes root, it can destroy even the strongest bonds. Don’t let it cloud your judgment.”
I nod, even though he can’t see it. “I understand. I’ll be careful. I just... I need to know.”
We talk a little more, tiptoeing around the unspoken fears and what-ifs. Eventually, we say our goodbyes, and I’m left alone with the night and my thoughts.
I stand there for a long time, looking out at the city, a maze of light and shadow. The thought of confronting Lee, of unraveling the truth, it’s a daunting prospect. She’s more than just a friend; she’s family.
But the safety of Gabriette and our life together, it’s my priority. I can’t let personal feelings get in the way of that.
Finally, I head back inside, slipping into bed beside Gabi. Her presence is a comforting constant in the chaos of my thoughts. As I drift off to sleep, I make a silent vow to protect her, to protect us, no matter what the cost.
Even if it means facing painful truths about someone I’ve always considered a sister.