The next morning dawned with a crisp clarity that seemed to echo the changes in Liza's life. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom as Liza stirred in Viktor's arms. His strong, protective embrace was a comfort she had never known before, and she found herself sinking deeper into it, savoring the calm after the storm.
She felt Viktor's breath against her neck, soft and steady, as he slept soundly beside her. There was a time not long ago when she would have pulled away, unsure of what to make of their strange and sudden connection. But now, in the aftermath of Christoph's intrusion and Viktor's fierce defense of her, she couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
Her fingers trailed softly over the tattoos that lined Viktor's forearm, each design telling a story of his life—his struggles, his triumphs, and the darkness he carried within. Yet, despite the cold and ruthless exterior, she had seen the man beneath the mask. A man who cared for her, protected her, and who, in his own way, had begun to love her.
A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Liza sat up slowly, careful not to wake Viktor, but he stirred anyway, his eyes fluttering open as he pulled her closer.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice low and groggy, his hand still possessively wrapped around her waist.
Liza smiled softly, brushing her fingers through his hair. "Someone's at the door."
Viktor groaned, clearly not ready to deal with anything so early in the morning. But he sat up anyway, his protective instincts kicking in as he reached for his gun on the nightstand. Liza's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the weapon—a reminder of the world they lived in, a world filled with danger at every turn.
"Stay behind me," Viktor said, his voice still heavy with sleep but laced with caution. He moved toward the door, his muscles tense beneath his bare skin, ready for whatever threat lay on the other side.
Liza watched him, her pulse quickening as she thought about how many times Viktor had shielded her from harm. This was the life they had chosen—a life filled with danger and uncertainty—but knowing that Viktor would always stand between her and any threat gave her strength.
Viktor opened the door cautiously, revealing Luka standing on the other side. His expression was grim, though he offered Viktor a slight nod of respect.
"Sorry to disturb you, boss," Luka said, his voice low, "but there's something you need to see."
Viktor's brow furrowed as he stepped aside, letting Luka into the room. Liza stood, wrapping a silk robe around herself as she watched the two men exchange tense glances.
"What is it?" Viktor asked, his tone sharper now, more alert.
Luka handed him a tablet, the screen displaying what looked like a security feed. "We picked this up early this morning," Luka explained. "Christoph isn't backing down. He's rallying more allies, and it looks like he's planning something big."
Viktor's jaw tightened as he studied the footage, his eyes narrowing. "He's a fool if he thinks he can come after Liza again."
Luka nodded in agreement. "We've already increased security around the estate, but Christoph's not working alone anymore. He's managed to pull in some heavy hitters from other families."
Liza's heart sank as she listened to the conversation. Christoph was relentless, and despite Viktor's best efforts to protect her, she knew that he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. But what scared her most was that Christoph didn't just want her back—he wanted revenge. He wanted to hurt her, to destroy everything she had built with Viktor.
She stepped forward, placing a hand on Viktor's arm. "What are we going to do?"
Viktor looked down at her, his expression softening for a moment before the hardened edge of determination returned. "We're going to finish this," he said, his voice resolute. "Christoph's not going to keep coming after you. I'll make sure of that."
Liza nodded, trusting him completely. But as Viktor and Luka continued their conversation, discussing strategies and plans to neutralize Christoph's growing threat, Liza couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The danger was escalating, and while she knew Viktor would do everything in his power to protect her, the risk to their lives—and their fragile relationship—was greater than ever.
---
Later that evening, after a day filled with tense meetings and preparations, Viktor and Liza sat together in the library, the warm glow of the fireplace casting shadows on the walls. Liza curled up beside Viktor on the couch, her head resting against his chest as they enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
"Do you ever think about leaving all of this behind?" Liza asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Viktor's hand stilled as he traced lazy circles on her back. "What do you mean?"
Liza lifted her head to meet his gaze, her blue eyes searching his. "The mafia. The violence. The constant danger. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live a normal life?"
Viktor's expression softened as he considered her question. He had been born into this life, raised in its darkness, and molded by its unforgiving nature. Walking away had never seemed like an option. But as he looked at Liza, the woman who had brought light into his shadowed existence, he realized that for the first time, he was willing to consider it.
"I never thought about it before," he admitted, his voice low. "But with you… things feel different. I don't want to lose you to this world."
Liza's heart swelled at his words, a warmth spreading through her that chased away the lingering fear. She had never imagined finding someone like Viktor, someone who made her feel safe, loved, and cared for. And now, she couldn't imagine a future without him.
"We could leave," she said softly. "We could find a way to build a life together, away from all of this."
Viktor smiled, the rare gesture making her heart flutter. "Maybe one day," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But for now, we need to make sure Christoph is dealt with."
Liza nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. As much as she longed for a peaceful life with Viktor, they couldn't leave until the threat of Christoph was gone. But knowing that Viktor was willing to consider a future outside of the mafia—a future with her—gave her hope.
As they sat together, wrapped in each other's warmth, Liza knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. Their bond, forged in the fires of passion and danger, was unbreakable. And no matter how dark the road became, they would find their way to the light—together.
---
The night passed quietly, but the storm was far from over. Christoph was still out there, and as Viktor prepared for the battle to come, Liza knew that the real fight was only just beginning.