Page 21 of Twisted Pact

“Papa, I—” She stops cold when she sees me. Surprise flickers in her hazel eyes before she shuts it down. “Didn’t realize you had company.”

“Mila.” Leonid gestures her forward. “Good timing. We’re reviewing the new security measures I mentioned this morning.”

She looks between us, smoothing her face into a polite nothing. “What’s he doing here?”

“Alexei’s offered to oversee security until the threat is handled,” Leonid says. “That includes relocating you to a secure location.”

“Relocating me?” She stares at him like he’s lost his mind. “I have classes, Papa. I can’t just disappear.”

“Your safety comes first,” he says.

“My future depends on this degree. You can’t just expect me to vanish because someone’s threatening us.” She lifts her chin. “I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can,” I say, my voice even. “Professionals are watching you. That means the threats are, too. This isn’t something you can handle alone.”

Her eyes spark. “I didn’t ask for your protection.”

“Your father did. Which is why I’ve arranged for a safe house to?—”

“I’m not going to hide in a safehouse because someone took a compromising photograph.”

“You’re not hiding. You’re temporarily relocating while we identify and neutralize the threats against your family.”

We stare at each other across Leonid’s study, and I can see her trying to figure out what game I’m playing. What I want from this arrangement.

The truth is, I’m not sure. Protecting Leonid’s daughter makes sense. But the way my pulse kicks up when she’s in the room tells me my motivations aren’t purely professional.

Protecting her makes sense.

Wanting to is the problem.

“How long?” she asks finally.

“A week. Maybe two, depending on what we find.”

“Two weeks away from school and research?” She presses her lips together but doesn’t argue. She just looks at her father with a silent fury in her eyes.

“Pack whatever you need for an extended stay,” Leonid says. “Alexei will escort you to the safe house this evening.”

“This evening? I need time to?—”

“This evening,” he repeats with finality. “We’re not taking chances.”

She leaves without another word as I watch her go.

“Thank you for doing this,” Leonid says once we’re alone. “I know it’s an unusual arrangement, but I trust she’ll be safe with you.”

“That’s the goal.”

He smirks faintly. “Proximity has a way of changing perspectives. What starts as protection sometimes becomes something more… substantial. If that were to happen, it would only strengthen the alliance.”

I hold his gaze, reading between the lines. Permission? Suggestion? Doesn’t matter.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say.

An hour later, I’m outside on the Andreev estate grounds for a final sweep.

The first camera is mounted high in a tree, watching the main entrance. Professional install. Weatherproof casing.