Chapter Eighty.

Chapter Eighty.
Her glare was pure fire.

Her presence slammed into the room like a storm, heels clicking with lethal intent as she stepped in, unfazed by the half-naked woman sprawled on the bed.

“I’ve barely been gone and your dick’s already buried in some common trash?” she snapped, her tone laced with venom.

Alexei’s lips curved into a crooked grin. “Yelena… moya lyubov’(my love)” he purred, the Russian endearment slicing through the tension.

Yelena didn’t blink.

She turned her head ever so slightly toward the trembling woman on the bed and spoke with ice in her voice.

“You have three seconds to get out before I carve your eyes out.”

The girl didn’t wait to see if she was bluffing. She scrambled off the bed, clutching her clothes, and bolted past Yelena without looking back.

Alexei laughed low, dark and amused. “Damn… my girl’s on fire.”

Yelena’s eyes stayed locked on him, burning.

And she hadn't even started yet.

“Enough games, Alexei.” Yelena snapped coldly, striding forward as her heels echoed on the polished floor.

She tossed the file she had been holding onto the table with a sharp thud.

Alexei, lounging against the edge of the desk, smirked lazily. “Oh, well done, my love.”

“Shove your praises down your throat..” she hissed, eyes flashing. “I was busy pretending to be some mutt’s girlfriend while you were out there screwing whores.”

His grin deepened as he pushed away from the desk and approached her.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he slid a hand around her waist, tugging her against him.

His lips brushed the curve of her neck before whispering near her ear, “My love… I had to keep eyes on Viktor from my angle.”

He kissed her again, just beneath her jaw.

For a brief second, her eyes fluttered shut, betraying the pleasure his touch still stirred, but she quickly stepped back, regaining her composure.

“And what did you find?” she challenged, folding her arms beneath her chest, voice sharp.

“The last I heard, Yuri’s been caught. And Viktor… he’s always two steps ahead.”

Alexei’s expression darkened, though the amusement never quite left his face. “Word on the street is… Viktor has a woman.”

Yelena blinked. Her brows drew together in disbelief. “This is no time for jokes, Alexei.”

“Oh, I wish it were..” he said with a shrug, strolling to the mini-bar and pouring himself a drink with practiced ease. “But it’s not.”

She tilted her head. “Viktor? With a woman? That heartless bastard?”

Alexei downed the liquor in one gulp, then set the glass down with a soft clink. “Trust me. I was just as shocked.”

Yelena eyed him carefully, tension coiling between them. “What’s her name?”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Can’t say. But from what I’ve gathered… she caused some serious chaos between Viktor and Marco.”

Her interest sharpened immediately. “Marco? Marco Bellini?”

Alexei’s smirk returned, slow and sly. “The one and only.”

Yelena’s eyes narrowed with interest. “Now this… this is interesting.”

“I thought so too,” he said, stepping closer once more.

Her expression remained unreadable for a moment. Then, slowly, she responded, “And how do we know she’s anything serious? What if she’s just...a fling?”

Alexei leaned in again, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips.

“Viktor can be called many things. Heartless. Ruthless. Unforgiving. But he’s not careless. He doesn’t flaunt women… unless they matter. If no one knows her name, yet he’s keeping her this close? She’s not a fling.”

Yelena exhaled slowly, a wicked smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Then she’s his weakness.”

Alexei’s eyes glinted with satisfaction. “Exactly. And just imagine… what happens when we use her against him.”

Yelena’s smile deepened into something dangerous. “Then he’ll crumple.”

♤♤

Next Morning

Xena practically skipped down the grand staircase, as she made her way to the kitchen.

The scent of sautéed onions and something buttery teased her nose before she even entered.

There, standing over the stove with focused eyes, was Travis.

His sleeves were rolled up, hair slightly messy, as he stirred a pan. Xena smiled mischievously and cleared her throat.

Travis turned sharply at the sound, blinking when he saw her.

“G–Good morning, ma’am..” he stammered, looking like he was about to drop the spatula.

Xena rolled her eyes and exhaled a small sigh.

“I want to cook today..” she announced, walking in with purpose.

Travis’s brows shot up. “W..What? No, please, I… I can’t allow that. It’s my job to—”

“Travis,” Xena interrupted, her tone mock-serious as she crossed her arms. “Are you going to stop me from cooking my own meal?”

Her voice held a subtle teasing edge, but poor Travis didn’t catch it. He immediately looked stricken.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am. Of course, you can. I’ll just… I’ll step out.”

He was already moving away when Xena broke into a giggle and waved him off. “Relax, I was just messing with you. I’m not mad.”

She began pulling out ingredients from the fridge one by one, humming softly to herself as she laid them on the counter.

“I know you get all tense around me ever since Viktor snapped at you..” she said without looking up. “That day he got you fired… yeah, I know. It’s my fault.”

Travis paused, uncertain. She turned and met his eyes.

“But I don’t want you walking on eggshells around me. Just because he overreacts doesn’t mean I want you to be scared every time I walk into a room.”

Travis looked down, guilt tugging at his features. “I… I understand.”

“I just want to cook, Travis. It’s been so long since I’ve done something normal.” Her voice softened. “Back home, I used to cook all the time with my Nana and at the restaurant. It made me feel grounded.”

He finally gave her a small smile. “I’m sorry, Xena. And honestly, I’d be honored to watch a new recipe from a real cook. I’ll just wait here, and if you need help… just holler.”

Xena giggled. “You’re sweet. Thank you.”

She got to work, peeling, chopping, stirring, pouring, her movements full of memory and rhythm.

Time passed like a breeze. The kitchen filled with warmth, spices, and soft laughter as Zoya and Alina joined, joking and helping while Travis watched with hesitant amusement.

Upstairs, Viktor was awaken..

His nose twitched at the mouthwatering aroma wafting into his bedroom. The smell was too good. Not familiar. Too… homey.

He descended the stairs quickly, jaw clenched, following the scent. But when he was about to stride past the kitchen and straight into the dining hall, his steps halted.

He saw Xena.

Laughing.

With travis...

Travis stood by the counter, smiling at something Zoya said, while Xena stirred a pan as she laugh too.

Viktor’s jaw ticked.

“Xena.”

His voice cut through the room.

She turned quickly, smile fading. He wasn’t looking at her. He was glaring at Travis.

Oh no.