52

Lia

The days leading up to the next move against Diana felt like a blur. Meetings, covert messages, and endless late nights filled with whispered plans. Every step we took brought us closer to dismantling her empire, but it also brought more risk. We were in uncharted territory now, walking a razor’s edge with no room for mistakes.

Tonight, the air was electric with tension. Nikolai had identified another key player in Diana’s network—a high-ranking ally named Viktor Grachev, known for his brutal efficiency and unwavering loyalty. Turning him wouldn’t just weaken Diana—it would devastate her power base. But Grachev wasn’t a man easily swayed.

The plan was simple on paper: meet him at an exclusive underground poker event he frequented, plant the idea that Diana’s empire was crumbling, and convince him to abandon her before it was too late. In reality, it was a gamble, one that could blow up in our faces.

“Are you ready?” Petrik asked as he adjusted his cufflinks, his sharp suit cutting a striking figure.

I nodded, though my stomach churned with anxiety. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

He reached out, his hand brushing mine briefly. “We’ve got this.”

His confidence steadied me, but I couldn’t ignore the weight of what we were about to do. Viktor Grachev wasn’t just another pawn in Diana’s game—he was her enforcer, the man who made sure her threats weren’t just words. If we failed tonight, we wouldn’t just lose an opportunity. We’d paint a target on our backs.

The underground poker club was hidden beneath a luxury hotel, accessible only through a private elevator guarded by two burly men in suits. Petrik handed over the necessary credentials, and the guards stepped aside, allowing us entry.

The elevator descended smoothly, the hum of its machinery the only sound. My heart raced as we stepped into the dimly lit room, the air thick with smoke and the hum of conversation. Round tables were scattered throughout the space, surrounded by men and women dressed to kill, their faces carefully blank as they watched the games unfold.

Viktor Grachev was seated at a table near the back, his broad frame dominating the space. He was flanked by two men who looked more like bodyguards than poker players, their sharp eyes scanning the room. Grachev himself was calm, his expression unreadable as he studied his cards.

“There he is,” Petrik murmured, his hand resting lightly on my back as he guided me through the crowd.

As we approached, Grachev’s eyes flicked to us, his gaze lingering for a moment before he returned his attention to his hand. Petrik cleared his throat, his voice steady but polite.

“Mr. Grachev,” he said. “Mind if we join you?”

Grachev didn’t look up, but he gestured to the empty seats at the table. “Depends. Are you here to play, or just to talk?”

“Both,” Petrik said, taking a seat. I followed, my nerves on edge as I met Grachev’s cold, calculating gaze.

“Bold of you to show up here,” Grachev said, his voice low and gravelly. “Diana’s not exactly a fan of yours these days.”

“Diana’s days are numbered,” Petrik said bluntly. “And if you’re smart, you’ll get out before it’s too late.”

Grachev let out a low chuckle, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But guts won’t save you when Diana decides she’s had enough.”

“That’s the thing,” I said, speaking up for the first time. “She doesn’t have the power she used to. Grekov’s gone, her network’s crumbling, and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of her allies abandon her. Do you really want to go down with a sinking ship?”

Grachev’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might throw us out. But then he leaned forward, his expression unreadable. “And what makes you think I’d betray her?”

“Because you’re smart,” Petrik said. “And you know better than to tie yourself to a losing cause. Diana’s not invincible, Grachev. She never was. And now, everyone else is starting to see it.”

The table was silent for a moment, the weight of Petrik’s words hanging in the air. Grachev studied us, his sharp eyes flicking between us as if weighing his options.

“Interesting,” he said finally. “But if I were to entertain the idea of… jumping ship, what’s in it for me?”

“Protection,” Petrik said. “A chance to walk away clean. And a seat at the table when this is all over.”

Grachev raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. “And how do I know I can trust you?”

“Because we’re not Diana,” I said firmly. “We don’t need to manipulate or threaten to get what we want. We’re offering you a choice—a way out.”

He was quiet for a long moment, his fingers tapping idly on the table. Finally, he stood, motioning for us to follow him.

“Let’s talk somewhere more private,” he said.

Grachev led us to a small, dimly lit office at the back of the club. His bodyguards stayed outside, leaving the three of us alone. He poured himself a drink, then leaned against the desk, his gaze fixed on Petrik.

“All right,” he said. “I’m listening. Tell me why I shouldn’t call Diana right now and have her deal with you.”

Petrik didn’t flinch. “Because if you do, you’ll lose your chance to get out unscathed. We have enough evidence to bring Diana down, and when she falls, anyone still standing with her will go down too.”

Grachev frowned, his jaw tightening. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Ivanov.”

“We’re not playing,” I said. “This is real, and it’s happening whether you like it or not. The only question is whose side you’ll be on when it’s over.”

Grachev studied us for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded.

“All right,” he said. “I’m in. But if you screw me over, you won’t live to regret it.”

“We won’t,” Petrik said, his voice steady.

As we left the office, I felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension. We’d gained a powerful ally, but we’d also raised the stakes higher than ever. Diana wasn’t going to take this lightly, and when she retaliated, it would be brutal.

“Do you think he’ll stick to his word?” I asked as we walked back to the car.

Petrik hesitated, then nodded. “For now. But we can’t trust him completely.”

I sighed, the weight of the night pressing down on me. “This is only going to get harder, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Petrik said, his voice quiet. “But we’re closer than we’ve ever been.”

And despite the danger, I couldn’t deny the spark of hope growing in my chest. We were building something—a coalition strong enough to take Diana down. But with every step forward, the shadows around us grew darker.