Sasha stared at me for a full ten seconds before finally surrendering.
"Two escort vehicles. I stay in your car." Sasha's warning was deadly serious. "And from start to finish, you don't leave my side by more than two steps."
"Deal."
The car left the estate, following the Potomac River north.
The scenery outside shifted from bustling downtown to quiet suburbs, finally stopping at a private club hidden in the woods.
Sasha exited first, scanning the surroundings alertly. Only after confirming no danger did he open my door.
Two black-suited guards stood at the club entrance. One nodded when he saw us.
"Ms. Cole, Mr. Volkov is waiting in the second-floor tea room."
I followed the guard inside, Sasha tight behind me, hand always positioned near his concealed weapon.
The tea room was quiet, sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, the air scented with faint tea fragrance.
Old Volkov sat by the window in a charcoal cashmere sweater, hair impeccably groomed. He looked like a kindly old man, not an underworld elder with blood on his hands.
"Ms. Cole." Seeing me, he smiled warmly and gestured. "Please, sit."
I sat across from him. Sasha stood behind me, eyes alertly scanning every corner.
"Why did you want to see me?" I cut straight to it.
Old Volkov poured me tea with elegant movements.
"I heard you and Nikolai have had some... unpleasantnesslately?"
My expression went cold instantly. "That's none of your business."
"Of course, of course." Old Volkov smiled. "I'm merely concerned about my son's personal life. After all, as a father, one always hopes for one's son's happiness, no?"
Bullshit.
So he knew nothing about Derek at all.
He'd just tricked me here to deliver a warning.
I stared at him coldly, saying nothing.
Old Volkov's smile faded, his tone turning serious.
"Ms. Cole, I asked you here today to propose a deal."
"What deal?"
"Leave Nikolai." He looked directly into my eyes, enunciating each word. "Leave him voluntarily. Leave this family, leave Washington. In exchange, I'll give you money—enough for the rest of your life."
I froze for a second, then couldn't help laughing.
"Are you joking?"
"I never joke." Old Volkov's tone went cold. "Ms. Cole, you're intelligent. You should see how dangerous Nikolai's position is. Externally, the Marchetti family circles like vultures. Internally, family elders question him. Your presence only makes things harder."
"So you think I should leave for his own good?" I laughed coldly. "You know how ridiculous that sounds?"
