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"This Mr. G," Susan said hesitantly, "if he responds—"

"If he responds," I cut her off, mouth curving into an expectant smile, "then it proves I did the right thing tonight."

Our corner of the bar exploded! My coworkers screamed with excitement, clapping and cheering, some even standing up to applaud me.

"Cassie! Cassie! Cassie!" They chanted my name rhythmically, like they were celebrating my transformation.

I sat there clutching my phone, feeling more accomplished than I ever had before. I'd done it. I'd actually done it. I'd broken out of that invisible prison that had held me for twenty-four years.

"Oh my God, Cassie!" Jennifer hugged me tight. "You were incredible just now! I've never seen you so-so charming!"

"Yeah!" Susan joined in. "That mysterious Mr. G is gonna be absolutely blown away when he gets that photo!"

I laughed—a real, genuine laugh that came from deep inside. Maybe I didn't know who this G person was, maybe I'd regret tonight's madness tomorrow, but right now, in this moment, I felt truly alive.

The rest of the night blurred together as my coworkers continued their games, and I got swept up in increasingly outrageous rounds of laughter. The thundering music filled my ears again, my coworkers' faces bobbed around me, and harsh liquor burned down my throat. Susan grabbed my arm and shook me around. I cracked up at Jennifer's dare to imitate a gorilla, laughing so hard tears nearly came out. That phone I'd deliberately forgotten about, carelessly tossed on the table along with that suggestive text and photo sent to some "G" contact,got completely pushed to the back of my mind, lost in the bar's deafening voices, flashing lights, cheap alcohol, and this moment's wild celebration.

I just didn't notice that in the flickering lights, my phone suddenly blinked once.

It was a text message—

From G.

Chapter 2

Gennady

I gently closed Anya's bedroom door, the heavy oak cutting off the hallway light and shutting out the complicated world beyond. Inside, my five-year-old daughter's breathing was soft and even as she slept peacefully. I leaned against the cool door for a moment, listening until that steady rhythm became the only sound in the silence—the only sound that brought me any peace.

Only here, listening to her breathe, did my perpetually frozen heart crack open just enough to let in a trickle of unfamiliar warmth. Anya was the only light in my life, the only pure thing left in this world stained by blood and betrayal.

The study door closed silently behind me. I didn't bother with the lights, letting the scattered city lights and pale moonlight outside sketch the hard lines of expensive furniture in shadow. That bone-deep exhaustion—the kind that had nothing to do with physical tiredness—settled over me again like a heavy coat.

I'd just reached my massive desk when soft knocking echoed from the hallway.

"Come in." My voice sounded even deeper in the darkness.

Dimitri pushed through the door, carrying a stack of files. As my most trusted right-hand man, he knew when to appear and when to disappear. Even at this late hour, his suit was still perfectly pressed, though his eyes showed the strain of a long day.

"Boss, the East End situation's been handled." He set the files on my desk, keeping his voice low. "Tony's betrayal has been dealt with appropriately."

I nodded without asking for details. In my world, traitors met only one fate, and I didn't need to know the specifics of execution.

"What's the situation at the South Shore shipping dock?" I asked, fingers drumming lightly on the desktop.

"Everything's running smooth. We've got the cops squared away—this month's shipments won't have any problems." Dimitri paused. "But there's some movement from Marco Moretti's side."

Hearing that name, my eyes sharpened instantly. Marco—my old rival, an ambitious Italian bastard who was always trying to muscle in on my territory.

"Keep talking."

"His guys have been showing up on our turf more frequently. Surface level, it looks like business, but they're clearly fishing for information." Dimitri hesitated. "Should we beef up security around Anya?"

"Absolutely." I lifted my gaze slowly, fingers still tapping the desk. "Anyone suspicious gets within a hundred yards of her, I want to know about it immediately."

"Yes, Boss." Dimitri nodded and started to leave.

Just then, sounds came from outside again—not knocking this time, but the soft click of heels on marble. Dimitri caught my eye and wisely slipped out through the side door.