Page 62 of Tainted Empire

And now the weight of his world rests on my shoulders.

I close my eyes, trying to push away the wave of helplessness that threatens to engulf me. I need to be strong, for Mikhail, for myself, and for everyone relying on us.

But in the quiet of the hospital room, my facade crumbles, and tears begin to roll down my cheeks. I’m scared, terrified of a future without Mikhail, of the uncertainty that looms over us.

After a while, I compose myself, wiping away the tears. This isn’t the time for weakness. I need to be the pillar of strength Mikhail has always been for me.

I will protect Mikhail and his legacy. I’ll face the challenges head-on and make the tough calls.

I’ll be the queen his world needs, until my king returns.

Chapter 32

Gabriette

The next day, when Kazimir comes to visit me in the hospital, I brace myself for the conversation ahead. Mikhail’s still condition beside me is a constant reminder of the stakes we’re dealing with.

As Kazimir settles into a chair beside my bed, his face etched with concern, I dive straight into recounting the dinner at Vladimir’s place.

I tell him about Vladimir’s new drug proposal, the detailed plan for distribution, and the players involved.

“Mikhail was cautious about it,” I explained. “He said he wanted to discuss it with you before making any decisions.”

Kazimir listens intently, his brow furrowing at the details. “A synthetic drug, undetectable... that’s a big move. And involving Anatoly, plus Mikhail’s western networks. It’s a significant expansion.”

I nod, remembering the tension at the dinner. “Vladimir was offering forty percent of the profits for distribution, but Mikhail wasn’t convinced. He thought there might be more to it.”

Kazimir strokes his chin thoughtfully. “Forty percent is a generous cut. But Anatoly... he’s ambitious. And St. Petersburg’s a key territory.”

I nod, feeling a knot of anxiety in my stomach. “What do you think?”

“This is troubling,” he says. “Vladimir’s proposal... It’s risky, and could bring a lot of heat. Anatoly’s involvement makes it even more complicated because the man comes from a long line of greedy fuckers who don’t believe in loyalty.”

I lean forward, remembering where the hit on Mikhail originated from. “Do you think Anatoly could be behind the attack on Mikhail? The hit came from there and he didn’t seem too keen on sharing the profits. Taking out Mikhail and getting more than his percentage could be the reason.”

Kazimir pauses, considering the possibility. “It’s a theory worth exploring. Anatoly has always had his eye on expanding his influence. By taking Mikhail out of the equation, he stands to gain a lot.”

His words echo my fears, and I feel a chill run down my spine. The thought that someone at that dinner could be responsible for Mikhail’s current state is both infuriating and terrifying.

“So, what’s our next move?” I ask, my voice laced with urgency.

Kazimir’s gaze hardens, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. “I’ll start digging into Anatoly’s recent activities. We need to tread carefully, though. If he’s behind this, he won’t stop at one attempt.”

After a moment of contemplation, he pulls out his phone. “I’m going to call Kaius. He might have heard something through his channels.”

I watch as Kazimir steps aside to make the call, his tone low but insistent. I catch snippets of the conversation, his questions pointed and direct.

After a few minutes, he ends the call and turns back to me, his expression grimmer than before.

“It wasn’t Anatoly,” he says. “According to Kaius, there’s been underground chatter about a hit on Mikhail. No one wanted to touch it because of the influence my name has, but it all seems to point to a source no one can pinpoint. A ghost.”

My heart sinks at his words. “A ghost?” I ask, recalling Alexei’s take on the word. “Do we have any idea who it could be?”

Kazimir shakes his head. “Not yet. But whoever it is, they have considerable reach and influence.”

The room feels colder, the gravity of the situation settling like a heavy cloak around my shoulders. “What do we do now?”

Kazimir’s eyes are steely, determined. “We increase security around both of you. I’ll get our best men on it. And we keep digging. We need to find out who’s behind this and why.”