“No.”
“You're sure? Because I've seen good men make bad calls when their hearts get involved.”
“I am sure.” Viktor's voice went hard. “This changes nothing about my ability to protect him. If anything, it makes me more motivated to ensure his survival.”
Adrian studied him for a long moment. Then his expression softened. Just slightly. “Good. Because I like you alive, Volkov. And I suspect the prince does too.”
A second voice cut in, warm and teasing. “You say that like he's ever taken backup.”
Someone moved into frame. Smaller than Adrian. Dark hair. Gentle features that contrasted sharply with the crime lord beside him. But his eyes held fire underneath the softness, the kind that said he'd survived things that should've broken him.
Noah.
Adrian's husband. The angel in the beast's den. The man who'd somehow tamed London's most dangerous criminal.
Viktor's entire posture changed. Softened in a way I'd never seen. “You still keeping him alive?”
“Every day,” Noah replied. “Some days I even enjoy it.”
There was affection there. Real and deep. Like these three had history that went beyond professional.
Like Viktor had a life before me. People who mattered. Connections that weren't just duty and blood.
“Find Ghost Zero,” Adrian said, voice sharpening back to business. “And watch the King's advisors. Too many threads lead back to the palace. Someone close is dirty.”
“I know.”
“Then stop fucking around and finish it.” Adrian's eyes moved to me. “Keep him alive, Your Highness. He's one of the best men I have. I'd prefer not to lose him to palace politics.”
“I'll do my best,” I said.
“See that you do.” The screen flickered. “And Viktor? When this is over, come home for a visit. Noah's been asking about you.”
“I will.”
The call ended. Static filled the silence, then nothing.
Viktor sat there for a moment, staring at his reflection in the darkened screen. The soldier. The bodyguard. The man caught between two worlds.
“Come on,” I said. “You've been up for twenty hours. You need rest.”
“Still have work?—”
“Work can wait.” I pulled him up. “You're exhausted. And when you're exhausted, you make mistakes. And mistakes get people killed.”
I was using his own logic against him. Saw the moment he recognized it, the way his mouth twitched with reluctant amusement.
“You are too clever for your own good,” he muttered.
“Learned from the best.”
We left the office together. The palace had shifted into afternoon mode, staff busy with whatever thousand tasks kept the monarchyrunning. We moved through corridors like ghosts, Viktor's hand on my back, my shoulder brushing his arm.
We reached my chambers.Viktor did his automatic sweep, checking corners and windows and all the places threats could hide. Old habits. Useful ones.
“Clear,” he said finally.
I locked the door. Started toward him, then paused. “Actually. Before we...” I gestured vaguely between us. “I need to check something with Élodie. About tomorrow's schedule changes.”
