Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty Five.

“Thank you so much, Leo.” Xena said with a soft smile as they walked toward the train platform.

Leonardo chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. “It’s no problem, really.” he replied, his voice uneven.

Xena glanced at the train ahead. “Well, I need to—” She started to turn toward the train when she felt Leonardo’s hand on hers, halting her.

She turned to him, confused. “What’s wrong?”

Leonardo quickly let go of her hand, his face flushing. “Uh, s-sorry… I just—” he stammered, his words fumbling as he looked anywhere but at her.

“Are you okay?” Xena asked, tilting her head in concern.

Leonardo took a deep breath, his gaze finally meeting hers. “I... I need to tell you something.”

Before he could finish, the conductor’s voice boomed across the platform, announcing the train’s final call. Xena glanced back at the train, aware time was running out.

“Leo, I really need to—” she began, but before she could finish her sentence, Leonardo stepped forward.

In one swift motion, his warm lips pressed against hers. Xena’s eyes widened in shock, her body frozen as the unexpected kiss lingered for a moment.

When he finally pulled away, Leonardo stepped back, his face redder than ever.

“I’m sorry… I—I like you, Xena. I really, really like you. I’ve been so scared to say anything, but I couldn’t let you leave without telling you. I—”

“Leonardo—” Xena interrupted, her voice a mix of confusion and frustration.

“I know, I know! I shouldn’t have done that, but—”

Before he could finish, the sharp crack of a gunshot rang out across the station. The noise sent people screaming and scattering in every direction.

Xena’s heart dropped as she instinctively crouched down, searching for the source of the chaos.

Her wide eyes scanned the area until she saw them: a group of men in dark suits and sunglasses striding toward them with menacing precision.

“Leo, we have to—” she turned back to him but stopped mid-sentence. Her breath hitched as she saw Leonardo clutching his arm, blood seeping through his sleeve.

“Leo!” Xena cried, rushing to his side. She knelt down, her hands trembling as she tried to assess the wound.

He groaned in pain, his face pale. “I’m fine… It’s just my arm…”

“No, you’re not fine.” she said, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. She tried to lift him, placing his uninjured arm around her shoulders.

“Touch him further, and I’ll kill him where he lies.” a cold, commanding voice cut through the chaos.

Xena froze, the thick Russian accent sending chills down her spine. Slowly, she turned her head, and her worst fear materialized before her eyes.

Viktor.

He stood just feet away, his towering frame radiating danger. His sharp gray eyes were locked on her, and his expression was as calm as it was terrifying.

“Hello, little fire.” he said, his voice low and smooth, yet laced with menace.

Xena tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat.

Before she could react, Viktor closed the distance, grabbing her arm and yanking her away from Leonardo.

“Viktor, let me go!” she yelled, struggling against his iron grip. “He’s hurt! Please, he’ll die!”

Viktor’s jaw clenched as his stormy gaze flicked briefly to Leonardo, then back to her. “I told you, I hate other men’s hands on you.” he said, his voice dangerously calm.

“You don’t own me!” Xena shouted, tears streaming down her face as she pushed against his chest.

A cruel smirk curved his lips. “Oh, but I do, little fire. You just haven’t realized it yet.”

Xena’s heart pounded as she fought against him, her desperate eyes darting back to Leonardo, who was slumped on the ground, his blood staining the platform.

“Please, Viktor,” she pleaded, her voice cracking. “Just let me help him. I’ll do whatever you want—just don’t let him die.”

Viktor studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a snap of his fingers, two of his men approached.

“Take him to the hospital.” Viktor ordered curtly.

Xena’s eyes widened in surprise, but before she could thank him, he tightened his grip on her arm and leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear.

“But remember this, Xena.” he murmured, his voice a dark promise. “You’re mine. And I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take you from me.”

Tears streamed down her face as Viktor led her away, her heart heavy with fear and guilt.

Behind her, she could hear Leonardo’s weak groans as Viktor’s men dragged him toward a waiting car.

She didn’t dare look back.

Viktor shoved Xena into the back seat of his sleek black car, his movements swift and commanding. He slid in beside her, his towering presence filling the confined space.

"To the airport." Viktor barked to the driver, his deep, commanding tone sending a chill through Xena’s spine.

Her eyes widened in panic as the car began to move. “W-what? Airport? I—”

“You were trying to run away, weren’t you, Xena?” His voice was low and cold, yet his anger burned through every syllable. His thick Russian accent was sharper than ever.

“N-no, I wasn’t! I—” Xena stammered, her heart racing.

“And you let that *fucker* kiss you!” Viktor suddenly bellowed, his booming voice making her flinch.

His jaw tightened, and his knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists.

Xena felt her breath hitch, the memory of Leonardo’s kiss flashing through her mind.

“That is none of your business!” she snapped, her frustration boiling over. “Why are you even here? What do you want? Where are you taking me? Let me go!”

Her defiance only seemed to amuse him. Viktor leaned back slightly, a dark, sinister chuckle escaping his lips.

The sound sent a shiver through Xena, making her feel as though the temperature in the car had dropped.

“Moscow.” he said simply, his piercing gray eyes locking onto hers.

Xena froze, her breath caught in her throat. “What?” she whispered, the weight of the word crushing her.

“You are mine, Xena.” Viktor said, his voice low and unyielding.

“No! NEVER!” Xena shot back, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury. “You are a—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Viktor’s hand shot out, gripping her neck—not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to remind her of his control. He pulled her close, their faces mere inches apart.

His stormy gray eyes bore into hers, and for a moment, Xena felt like she was drowning in his gaze.

His attention flicked to her lips, and his expression darkened as he remembered Leonardo’s kiss. A fire ignited in his eyes, a dangerous blend of obsession and rage.

Without another word, Viktor crushed his lips against hers. The kiss was fierce and possessive, his intensity consuming her.

Xena’s hands instinctively pushed against his chest, but he didn’t relent. His lips were warm, but the force behind them left her breathless.

Viktor leaned in further, deepening the kiss as if trying to erase any trace of Leonardo from her memory.

He moved so close that Xena found herself pinned against the leather seat beneath her. Her heart pounded, a mix of fear and a strange, unwelcome pull that she couldn’t explain.

When he finally pulled away, Viktor hovered over her, his face inches from hers.

His breathing was heavy, and his eyes burned with raw intensity. Xena’s cheeks were damp with tears, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath.

“You are mine, *my little fire*.” Viktor said, his voice a dangerous growl. “Every single cell of you belongs to me.”

Xena stared up at him, terrified by the sheer madness and obsession in his gaze. Her tears streamed freely now, and she swallowed hard, unable to form words.

His eyes lingered on her face, softening for a brief moment as he reached out to brush away a tear with his thumb.

But the softness was fleeting, replaced by the unrelenting hunger that consumed him.

“You can fight it all you want, Xena.” Viktor murmured, his tone almost gentle yet laced with menace. “But in the end, you’ll realize… there’s no escaping me.”

The car sped through the streets toward the airport, the tension between them thick and suffocating.

Xena’s heart raced, her mind spinning with fear and confusion. She didn’t know what awaited her in Moscow.

She bit her lip, willing herself not to cry again. The last thing she wanted was to give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Her hands balled into fists in her lap, nails digging into her palms.

Her mind racing as the reality of her situation began to sink in.

She could still feel the heat of Viktor’s gaze on her, though she avoided looking at him. Her thoughts were a chaotic storm—Leonardo, her Nana, Diego—she didn’t even know if they were safe.

Her heart clenched. How did Viktor even know where to find her? Has he being following her?

Leonardo’s pained expression flashed in her mind, and she clenched her fists tighter. Was he okay? Did Viktor’s men leave him there to bleed out or really took him to the hospital? The thought made her chest ache.

The car slowed as they approached the private jet waiting on the tarmac. Xena’s heart sank further. Moscow felt like a distant nightmare, and yet, it was her grim reality now.

She glanced at Viktor one last time, her voice trembling as she whispered, “you don't even know who I am, Why are you doing this?"

He didn’t answer, but the intensity in his eyes spoke volumes. Xena turned away, swallowing the lump in her throat as the car came to a stop. Everything was overwhelming, and the escape she once dreamed of now felt further out of reach than ever.