The party at Sofia Castellano's mansion had ended in the early hours of the morning, yet the weight of its events lingered like an unwelcome guest. In the sleek black car ferrying them back to the estate, silence wrapped around Viktor, Marina, and Alina like a shroud.
Marina's gaze fixed on the city lights streaming past the tinted windows, her fingers toying with the edge of her gown. Alina's words from the evening replayed in her mind, each one a veiled barb aimed with surgical precision. Across from her, Alina lounged with a satisfaction that radiated from her every movement, while Viktor remained an unreadable figure beside her, his sharp profile framed by the faint glow of the dashboard.
The air was heavy, thick with unspoken tension. Marina shifted in her seat, acutely aware of how out of place she was. Beside Viktor's commanding presence and Alina's effortless elegance, she felt like an interloper—a pawn in a game she barely understood.
When they arrived at the estate, Viktor exited first, his movements precise as he turned to offer Marina his hand. She hesitated before taking it, her fingers brushing against his, sending a jolt through her already taut nerves. Alina followed, her heels clicking against the stone driveway in a rhythm that made Marina grit her teeth.
Inside, the house was silent, its grandeur now cold and uninviting. Viktor stopped in the foyer, his gaze sharp as it flicked between the two women.
"Marina," he said, his voice low and controlled, "get some rest. We'll talk in the morning."
She nodded, her pulse quickening under the weight of his gaze. Without another word, she headed toward her room, forcing herself not to glance back. The faint sound of Alina's soft laughter followed her, a grating reminder of the woman's lingering presence.
---
Later That Night
Sleep was elusive. Marina lay on the plush mattress, her mind replaying the night's events in an endless loop. Viktor's whispered threats and Alina's calculating smiles clung to her thoughts, fraying her nerves.
Frustrated, she slipped from the bed, wrapping a robe around her shoulders as she padded barefoot down the dimly lit hallway. The estate was eerily quiet, her soft footsteps swallowed by the vastness of the space. She made her way to the kitchen, seeking solace in a glass of water, when faint voices caught her attention.
The library door stood slightly ajar, and Marina froze. Viktor's deep voice was unmistakable.
"You're testing my patience, Alina," he said, his tone clipped and dangerous.
"I'm not the one keeping secrets, Viktor," Alina replied, her voice smooth and taunting. "This girl—Marina—is a liability."
Marina pressed herself against the wall, her breath caught in her throat.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Viktor countered.
"Oh, I think I do," Alina continued. "I saw the way you looked at her tonight. She's under your skin, Viktor. And that makes her a weakness—a dangerous one."
The sound of a glass being set down punctuated the silence.
"She knows her place," Viktor said. "And if she forgets, I'll remind her."
"You're playing with fire," Alina warned. "Anton won't wait for you to slip. One mistake, Viktor, and you'll lose everything."
The scrape of a chair followed, and Marina's pulse spiked. She turned and hurried back down the hallway, her bare feet silent against the cold marble. She didn't stop until she was safely behind the door of her room, locking it with trembling fingers.
---
Dawn
The first rays of sunlight spilled through the curtains, painting Marina's room in soft hues of gold. She sat by the window, her thoughts a tangled mess. Viktor's protection felt like a noose tightening around her neck.
He's under your skin, Viktor.
Alina's words echoed in her mind, stirring an uneasy mix of fear and something uncomfortably close to hope. Was it true? And if it was, what did it mean for her?
A sharp knock broke her reverie.
"Come in," she called, her voice steadier than she felt.
Viktor entered, his presence filling the room with quiet authority. He looked as composed as ever, though faint shadows under his eyes hinted at his own sleepless night.
"You didn't sleep," he observed.
"Neither did you," she replied, meeting his gaze.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. He crossed the room, leaning against the windowsill with his arms folded.
"Last night was complicated," he began.
"That's one way to put it."
"You handled yourself well," he said, his voice softer now.
Marina tilted her head, searching for any trace of insincerity. "Did I? Because it felt like I was barely keeping up."
"You're stronger than you think," he replied, his tone almost reassuring.
"Am I?" she asked, her voice sharper than intended. "Or do you just want me to believe that?"
His smirk deepened, but he didn't answer. Instead, he stepped closer, his dark eyes locked onto hers. "Do you remember the terms of our agreement?"
Her grip on the windowsill tightened, her heart pounding. "I do."
His lips curled into a smile, one that sent a shiver down her spine. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Good. Because I'm going to need your body very soon."
The intoxicating scent of his cologne filled the air, and Marina held her breath until he pulled away.
"Get dressed," he said, his tone casual but firm. "We have work to do."
The door closed behind him with a decisive click. Marina exhaled sharply, her heart slamming against her ribs.
You're stronger than you think.
Her gaze drifted back to the window, the morning light illuminating her resolute expression. If Viktor thought she was just a pawn in his game, he was mistaken. Marina wasn't just learning the rules—she was preparing to rewrite them.