Va

e foundation of the Volkov Tower seemed to dissolve beneath my feet. I didn't just register shock; I felt a chill

her. I lost my composure and my independence to the most dangerous figure in this e

completed the devastating introduction. His grasp on my hand was cool and warm, en

the same lethal promise as Dmitri's silence. The only difference was approach:

of my hand for a deliberate, agonizing second, an id

washing over me. My eyes darted between the two men. Th

ested, his booming voice completely failing to registe

**

more than enough people. My mother immediately began he

ly, addressing the twins across the intimidating marble expanse. "

" I cor

y glancing at his plate. His focus was fixed entirely on me, his gaze a relentle

ing forward with his head resting casual

ed, trying to keep my voice steady, ha

y shifting from mine to his brother's. "But it lacks levera

mination of an associate who couldn't execute strategy

an unnecessary liability " Dmitri stated, his g

g this on purpose, communicating their intent

Leo, that you find your way in what you are doi

comed; I was a component to

ed, tried to encourage bonding. "Leo needs to see the scope of this c

Dmitri said, his voice flat, yet the i

n one becomes part of our structure, we ensure

a choice between them. This was a single, terrify

le. I felt dizzy, suffocated

shing back from the table.

desperately needed a place to hide, to simply breathe without

desperate to return to the safety of m

arkling water. He was entirely calm, devastating

ved gently, his voice a smooth, unsettling balm. He d

sted, my voice tight. "I simp

ble. This family can be overwhelming for those accustomed to minimal pressure." He stepped closer, offering

sset," I whisp

and I operate on a foundation of shared intelligence, res

ing about," I lied, weakly, ha

share everything that matters. We are a single will with dual points of execution. You

atement, the air behind him shifted. Dmitri had silently

left open. He stopped inches away, his body a solid wall of threat, trapping me between

rich, his eyes burning into mine. His presence was raw, physical

out, a rush of desperate d

the transgression we embody. You crave the desire we will impose on your chaos.

his body, the intensity of his presence, was enough to reignite th

esture of dark finality. "Return to the table, Leo. Do not compromise t

instantly by Ivan, who gave me one

ble, mumbling a pathetic

erned. "Oh, darling, you loo

d, unable to look at the two men who now watched me w

trusts and acquisitions. I was trapped, a newly acquired as