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“The more we know, the better prepared we are,” Luka agrees.
“Chert voz’mi,”I curse under my breath. “There’s no way we can do this without exposing ourselves.”
“We’ll be discreet,” Luka says. “Thorough, yet cautious.”
“Soglasovannyy,”I agree, my mind racing with possibilities and potential pitfalls. There is no room for error, not when the stakes are this high. “We must act fast, Luka. Every moment we waste draws Volkov closer.”
“Give me a day,” Luka says, his eyes hard and determined. “I’ll find us a lead.”
“A day it is,” I agree, taking a deep breath as I try to quell the anxiety that twists inside my muscles. It’s been three years since I left that life behind, and I’m not sure how to feel about going back. But if anyone is cut out for the task of getting us the information we need, it’s the man standing before me.
“Trust me on this, Boss,” Luka reassures me. “I know how dangerous Volkov is. I won’t let my guard down.”
I nod and heave out a breath, settling back in my chair. He remains standing across the desk, dark eyes fixed on my face.
“What is it?” I ask. The dim glow of the desk lamp casts long shadows across the room as I trace my fingers over the documents spread out before me. My mind races, attempting to figure out my next move. The air is heavy with tension, weighing down on me like a storm cloud.
Luka hesitates, as if considering his next words carefully. Emotions war across his face, which is entirely out of character. Finally, he takes a breath and launches in, “The woman,” he says, his tone unexpectedly gentle. “I’ve noticed a change in you since she arrived.”
“Scarlett?” I raise an eyebrow, feigning confusion. “What change?”
“Your attitude. Your focus,” he explains, his gaze never wavering. “She has an effect on you.”
“Impossible,” I scoff, attempting to brush off his observation. The mere mention of her name ignites a fire within me, but I refuse to let it show.
“You cannot deny what has been happening since Scarlett arrived,” Luka insists. It’s the closest to insubordination I’ve ever experienced with the man. This must be weighing on him. He stands straight, arms crossed over his chest, looking every bit the stoic protector he’s always been.
“Scarlett is irrelevant to our investigation,” I snap, irritation simmering beneath the surface. “Her presence here has no bearing on our efforts to stay hidden from Volkov.”
“Is that so?” Luka narrows his eyes. “Because when she’s around, you are…distracted.” He approaches the desk, leaning forward to emphasize his point. “Anton,” he continues, the fact that he’s addressing me by name making his words hang heavier. “I’ve known you for years. I’ve seen the way you look at her, the way you speak to her. It’s different. You can’t deny that.”
“Luka,” I warn him, my voice cold and unwavering. “Now is not the time. We have more pressing matters to attend to. And this situation with her is…temporary. For Nikolai’s good. She’ll be gone soon enough.” Even as I say it, I wonder if I’m lying to myself.
I don’t want her going anywhere.
The silent admission shocks me, and I’m left speechless for a moment.
“Of course,” Luka concedes, but there’s something in his eyes that tells me this conversation isn’t over. “Just…be careful, Anton. Don’t let her presence cloud your judgment. Not when we’re so close to facing the devil on our tail.”
“Your concerns are noted,” I reply curtly. “But they are unfounded. Scarlett is not our enemy.”
“Did I say she was the enemy?” His voice is uncharacteristically soft and I stare at him as he offers a rare, knowing smile.
“Enough,” I bark, my growing frustration evident in the tone of my voice. “We need to focus on the Bratva and Volkov.”
“Alright,” Luka finally relents, his expression turning serious once more. “Just remember, I am here if you want to talk…about anything.”
I stare at him in astonishment. For nearly two decades the man I’ve worked with has been a human brick wall – in more ways than one. And now he’s offering me relationship advice? Wants to talk? What the fuck has he been doing while we’ve been on the run? Bingeing Dr. Phil?
“That won’t be necessary,” I respond, trying to shake off the uncomfortable feeling that seems to have settled over me. “Let’s get back to the matter at hand. We have work to do.”
“Agreed,” Luka says, nodding firmly. “I’ll reach out to my contacts and see what I can find.”
“Good. Keep me informed.”
“Got it, Boss.” All signs of the concerned friend I’d just seen vanish just as quickly as they appeared. With that, Luka turns and leaves the study, his footsteps echoing through the silent room.
As he makes his way down the hall. I’m left sitting there, my mind racing with thoughts of Nikolai, Scarlett, Volkov, and the threat that seems to loom over us like a dark cloud.
