Marina stood frozen for a long moment after Viktor left the room. His lingering words echoed in her mind, blending with the sharpness of his presence and the weight of her own desperation. Sleep would not come easily tonight—if at all.
The moon hung high, its silver glow casting an eerie serenity over the sprawling Castellano estate. But nothing about her situation was serene. She paced the room, her thoughts bouncing between her father's betrayal and Viktor's cryptic demeanor.
Can I really trust him? The question burned in her mind. She needed him to survive, but at what cost? His cold, commanding gaze hinted at a man who valued control above all else. What would he do once he had her secret in his grasp?
Sinking onto the edge of the bed, Marina leaned her forehead against her palms. She needed a plan, but the threads of any viable strategy unraveled as soon as they began. For now, survival was her priority—and Viktor Castellano was her lifeline.
A faint knock sounded at her door, startling her.
"Miss Vasiliev," Dimitri's deep voice carried through the wood.
She hesitated before opening the door. Dimitri stood there with his usual guarded expression, holding a tray with a steaming bowl of soup and bread.
"Mr. Castellano insisted you eat," Dimitri said, stepping inside and setting the tray on a small table near the window. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" she echoed, her voice shaky. "What's happening tomorrow?"
Dimitri's lips pressed into a thin line, offering her no answers. "Just eat, Miss Vasiliev. It'll do you no good to refuse."
Before she could press further, he turned and left, the sound of the lock clicking into place behind him. Marina stared at the tray, her appetite buried under layers of anxiety.
---
The Morning After
The first rays of sunlight pulled Marina from her restless sleep. She had dozed off on the edge of the bed, her head tilted awkwardly against the headboard. The untouched tray of food sat where Dimitri had left it.
A sharp knock at the door startled her fully awake.
"Be ready in ten minutes," Dimitri's voice called from the other side. "Viktor doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Marina scrambled to her feet, her muscles stiff from the awkward position she'd slept in. She quickly washed her face with the water provided in the basin and tried to smooth out the wrinkles in her clothes.
When Dimitri returned, he ushered her down a winding staircase and into a large room filled with sunlight streaming through tall windows. Viktor was already there, standing near a long table covered in maps, documents, and folders.
"Good morning," he said without looking up, his tone neutral but commanding.
Marina hesitated near the door until Dimitri gave her a small nudge. She stepped forward, her palms clammy.
"Sit," Viktor instructed, gesturing to a chair across from him.
She obeyed, her nerves on edge as he finally lifted his gaze to meet hers.
"Let's talk about this secret of yours," he began, his voice sharp but patient. "I need details, Marina. No vague statements, no embellishments. If you want my help, you'll give me everything."
Marina nodded, her throat dry. "It's... it's a file. A dossier. It contains information about illegal dealings between my father and key members of the opposition party."
"And this file," Viktor pressed, "where is it?"
Her hands twisted in her lap. "I... I hid it before I ran. It's safe, but I didn't want to bring it here in case I was followed."
Viktor's eyes narrowed, and she felt the weight of his scrutiny. "Do you understand the position this puts me in? You've handed me a promise with no tangible proof."
"I swear, it's real!" she said quickly, leaning forward. "I'll tell you where it is—just not yet. I need to know you'll hold up your end of the deal first."
Viktor's jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. The tension between them thickened until he finally leaned back in his chair.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Marina," he said quietly. "But I'll indulge you—for now."
Relief washed over her, though it was short-lived as Viktor added, "Dimitri will accompany you when you retrieve it. If this is a trap, it will be the last one you ever set."
Marina swallowed hard, nodding. "It's not a trap. I promise."
---
Meanwhile, in the Shadows
Unbeknownst to them, another set of eyes had been watching. From a distant wing of the estate, a man stood in the shadows, his silhouette barely visible against the dim light of the hallway. His sharp eyes narrowed as he listened carefully to the exchange between Viktor and Marina.
"So, she's brought a secret worth risking her life for," the man murmured to himself, his lips curling into a sinister smile. "Interesting."
Turning away, he disappeared into the darkness, his footsteps as silent as his arrival.
---
Later That Day
Marina stood on the grand steps of the Castellano estate, the cool breeze tugging at her hair. Dimitri waited beside a sleek black car, his expression stoic as always. Viktor remained just inside the doorway, watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.
"You have one chance to prove your worth," he reminded her. "Don't disappoint me."
Marina nodded, her heart hammering as she slid into the car. Dimitri followed, the doors closing with a decisive thud. As the vehicle pulled away, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched—not just by Viktor but by someone—or something—else.