Page 73 of Tainted Empire

We gather the men for a final briefing before they leave for Berlin, but I can’t shake off this nagging sense of unease. I’m pacing back and forth, the cane in my hand clicking against the floor with every step.

It’s driving me crazy, not being out there leading the charge, especially with something this big at stake.

Gabriette watches me, her expression a mix of concern and annoyance. “Mikhail, would you stop pacing? You’re going to wear a hole in the floor.”

I stop, turning to look at her. “I can’t help it, Gabriette. Something about this doesn’t feel right. We’re about to hit Devon’s parents, and I’m stuck here playing house.”

She rolls her eyes but there’s an underlying seriousness in her voice. “We’ve been over this. You’re still recovering, and Ivan is more than capable of leading this. We need you here, with your head in the game.”

Ivan nods in agreement. “We’ve got this, bossman. Your father and Lee will be backing me up. We’ll handle Berlin.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration boiling over. “It’s not about trust, Ivan. It’s this damn feeling I can’t shake. Something’s off.”

Gabriette steps closer, her hand finding its way to my arm. “Listen, I get it. But we’ve planned this meticulously. Ivan, Kazimir, and Lee are the best we have. We need to trust them.”

My father, standing off to the side, interjects with a calm authority. “Mikhail, Gabriette’s right. We’ve got a solid plan. And besides, we need you here to keep things running.”

I let out a grunt of frustration but know they’re right. “Fine, but I want updates every hour. If anything goes sideways, I want to know immediately.”

Ivan salutes mockingly. “Yes, bossman. Every hour, on the hour.”

I shoot him a warning glance, half serious. “Don’t fuck around, Ivan. This is serious.”

Gabriette squeezes my arm, a silent message of support. “They’ll be fine, Mischa and we’ll be here, making sure everything else stays on track.”

Ivan sighs and steps towards me. “We’re all set, Mikhail, there’s no backing out of this shit now. We’ll handle this.”

I nod, clapping him on the shoulder. “I know you will. Just... be careful, alright?”

Ivan gives a curt nod. “Always am. We’ll be in touch.”

As the men file out, ready to head to Berlin, I can’t help but feel like I’m being left out of the action. But Gabriette’s right. My place is here, for now. I watch them leave, a silent prayer that everything goes as planned.

I continue my pacing, my grip tight on the cane that’s become my temporary support. Despite the solid plan, there’s a gnawing unease in my gut.

“I don’t like this,” I mutter, more to myself than anyone else. “Something about this whole Berlin play feels off. Shit feels too easy.”

Gabriette lets out a groan and looks at me, annoyance in her eyes. “Mikhail, you need to relax,” she sighs. “We’ve gone over this a thousand times. The plan is solid.”

I stop pacing and look at her, frustration boiling over. “It’s not about the damn plan, Gabriette. It’s a feeling, alright? Something’s not right and I can’t put my fucking finger on it.”

She crosses her arms, her expression softening slightly. “I know you’re worried, but we can’t second-guess ourselves now. Ivan’s the best we’ve got, and he’s not going to let anything slip.”

I shake my head, trying to shake off the unease. “It’s not about Ivan’s capability. It’s just... Fuck, I should be there, not stuck here playing house.”

Gabriette grabs my hand and raises her eyebrow. “Mikhail, you’re still recovering. Your place is here, with me. We’re the backbone. Without us, there’s no direction.”

I know she’s right, but it doesn’t quell the restless energy in me. “Being the backbone is one thing, but sitting on my ass while others are out there—”

“Sitting on your ass, huh?” she cuts me off, smirking. “Last I checked, you were pacing a trench into the floor.”

Her attempt to lighten the mood draws a reluctant smirk from me. “Smartass,” I retort, but there’s no heat in it.

Her eyes soften but her voice is laced with her usual sass. “Come on, grumpy. Let’s get back to work. The Bratva doesn’t run itself.”

I can’t help but smile, despite my worries. She always knows how to bring me back down to earth. “You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?”

She smirks, heading towards the office. “Yeah, but I’m your pain in the ass. Come, let’s go, baby.”