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For these precious moments, we exist beyond Bratva politics. Beyond arranged engagement. Beyond the dangerous game that surrounds us both.

"Viktor." My name emerges as whisper against my skin, vulnerability in her voice I've heard only once before—in Paris darkness when defenses lowered between us. "There's something you need to know."

The quiet declaration carries weight beyond the words themselves—importance that registers even through post-intimacy haze clouding my assessment. Her body tenses slightly, preparing for disclosure that requires courage beyond physical vulnerability we've just shared.

"Something I should have told you the moment we reconnected," she continues, voice steadying with visible determination. "Something that changes everything about our arrangement."

My arms tighten instinctively around her, yielding to a protective response I've permitted no one else in years of vengeance. "Tell me."

She pulls back slightly, meeting my eyes with devastating directness. The vulnerability in her expression—raw courage beneath Bratva princess exterior—creates matching openness I cannot fully suppress.

"After Paris," she begins, voice barely audible despite our proximity. "After you disappeared, I..."

The security alert shrieks with sudden urgency—perimeter breach at multiple entry points. Combat systems registering armed approach that instantly reactivates discipline pleasure momentarily suspended.

"Security breach." I release her immediately, professional focus returning. "Multiple vehicles approaching from the northern access point."

She reacts with equal professionalism, adjusting clothing with practiced movements that transform vulnerable woman back into perfect Bratva princess within seconds. "My father's security detail?"

"Negative." Quick assessment of surveillance feed reveals combat formation inconsistent with Markov protocols. "Unknown operatives. Military precision. Likely Sokolov affiliates based on the approach vector."

The revelation of potential danger instantly transforms intimate connection back to operational partnership—shared threat creating alignment regardless of personal vulnerability moments ago.

"Extraction protocol?" she asks, already moving toward the concealed exit.

"Eastern tunnel provides a primary evacuation route." I retrieve weapons from hidden compartment, offering her sleek Glock she accepts with familiar competence. "Secondary vehicles positioned at emergence point."

"Separate extraction creates superiority." Her assessment matches my own, professional focus replacing intimate connection with seamless transition. "Different exit vectors complicate our pursuers’ approach."

I grab her arm before she can move toward designated exit, combat necessity yielding momentarily to emotional imperative. "We'll finish this conversation."

Her eyes meet mine with equal intensity, professional mask slipping to reveal genuine conviction beneath. "Yes. We will."

The security system registers multiple breach points, immediate extraction no longer optional but critical necessity. She moves toward the eastern tunnel without further hesitation, disappearing into the concealed passage that will lead to the secure extraction point where a separate vehicle awaits.

As I activate secondary defensive protocols, preparing different evacuation routes to create chaotic patterns, my heart races. She was so close to telling me something huge. Her secret.

What was Anastasia about to tell me? What truth required such courage to disclose? What revelation would "change everything about our arrangement"?

The questions remain unanswered as our pursuers force our separation—her extraction proceeding through the eastern tunnel while I engage secondary passage in opposite direction. Different evacuation routes, different safe houses, different security protocols that will keep us separate until a threat assessment confirms safety.

Yet one certainty remains as I disappear into the concealed passage, leaving the Baranov estate to whatever force approaches from northern perimeter.

Whatever Anastasia began to disclose represents critical information beyond Bratva politics or our arranged engagement. Beyond the dangerous game we play within Markov's organization. Beyond the partial truths I revealed about Paris and my disappearance afterward.

Truth that matters despite its implications. Truth I must discover regardless of consequences. Truth that connects us beyond the elaborate deception we both maintain.

The revelation will wait behind secured extraction protocols and necessity—but not for long. Not when it clearly holds answers to questions that have consumed surveillance resources with increasingly personal fixation.

Not when it comes from the only person who has penetrated into the sacred space of my heart.

Not when it comes to Anastasia.

21

VICKTOR

"She was going to tell me something."