55

The room spun.

Sophie gripped the armrests of her chair, forcing herself to breathe. One inhale. One exhale. Slow. Controlled. But it wasn’t working.

Because the name still echoed in her mind like a gunshot.

Nikolai Petrov.

She hadn’t heard that name in years. Had convinced herself she never would again.

But he was alive.

And he was coming for her.

“Say it again,” she whispered, barely able to hear her own voice.

Viktor’s gaze was heavy. “Sophie—”

“Say it.”

A long pause. Then—

“Nikolai Petrov.”

The room collapsed around her.

She felt Alexander tense beside her, his fingers flexing at his sides. His voice was dangerously calm. “You told us he was dead.”

Viktor exhaled sharply. “I thought he was.”

Lisa chuckled from where she leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed like this was some kind of twisted play she was enjoying. “Oh, come on, Viktor. Did you really think a man like Nikolai would disappear that easily?”

Sophie’s hands trembled. “No,” she whispered. “No, it’s not possible. He—he was supposed to be gone. Gone.”

Lisa tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. “But he’s not.”

Sophie shook her head, gripping the edge of her seat. “You don’t understand.” Her heart pounded, her chest tightening with the weight of memories. “If Nikolai knows about Ethan—”

“He does,” Viktor cut in.

Everything stopped.

Sophie’s breath hitched.

No.

No.

Lisa smirked. “Took you long enough to figure that out.”

Alexander’s voice was lethal. “How long has he known?”

Viktor hesitated. “A few months.”

Sophie stood so fast her chair scraped against the floor. “A few months?” she echoed, her voice rising. “And you didn’t tell me?”

Viktor’s jaw clenched. “I was trying to protect you.”

She let out a shaky laugh, running a hand through her hair. “Protect me? How is keeping this from me protection?”

His expression hardened. “What would you have done, Sophie?”

She blinked, her breath unsteady.

“What?”

Viktor stepped forward, his voice low. “If I had told you, what would you have done?”

Sophie swallowed.

She didn’t know.

Because she wasn’t thinking.

All she knew was that she felt trapped.

Lisa’s voice cut through the silence. “I’ll tell you what she would have done.”

Sophie’s eyes snapped to her.

Lisa smiled. “She would have run.”

A silence so thick it felt like it could suffocate her.

Because Lisa was right.

She would have run.

Would have grabbed Ethan and disappeared.

And now—

Now it was too late.

Her hands clenched into fists. “Where is he?”

Viktor hesitated.

Sophie stepped forward. “Where is he, Viktor?”

His eyes darkened. “He’s coming.”

The words sent a shudder through her.

Coming.

For her.

For Ethan.

A sharp breath left her lips.

Alexander moved. “Like hell he is.”

His voice was ice, his body tense with restrained fury.

Viktor’s gaze flickered to him. “You can’t stop him.”

Alexander took a slow step forward. “Watch me.”

Sophie’s pulse pounded in her ears.

“Enough,” she choked out. “Just—enough.” She turned to Viktor, her voice shaking. “How do I stop him?”

Viktor’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You don’t.”

Her stomach turned. “That’s not an option.”

Viktor exhaled. “Then there’s only one thing left to do.”

Sophie’s chest ached. “What?”

Viktor’s gaze was unreadable.

“Face him.”

The next evening, Sophie stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing herself.

Her fingers trembled as she buttoned the soft silk of her dress, her reflection pale against the dim lighting of the bedroom.

She felt exposed.

Vulnerable.

She hated it.

A soft knock made her flinch.

She turned just as Alexander stepped inside, his expression unreadable.

“Are you ready?” he asked quietly.

She let out a slow breath. “No.”

His jaw clenched. “You don’t have to do this.”

She met his gaze. “Yes, I do.”

Alexander exhaled, stepping closer. “Sophie—”

She lifted a hand. “Please. Don’t try to stop me.”

He stared at her for a long moment, something unreadable flashing through his eyes. Then, finally—

“Then I’m coming with you.”

Sophie swallowed. “Alexander—”

“I’m coming,” he said firmly. “End of discussion.”

Something in her chest cracked.

Because she wanted him there.

She needed him there.

But—

“This isn’t your fight,” she whispered.

He stepped even closer, his warmth enveloping her. “It is now.”

Her breath caught.

Because it felt like he wasn’t just talking about Nikolai.

Like he was talking about them.

Before she could respond, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

His fingers lingered.

Her heart pounded.

“Sophie,” he murmured, voice softer now.

She swallowed, her lips parting.

For a moment, everything else faded.

The past. The fear. The secrets.

It was just him.

Just them.

And then—

A knock at the door.

Sophie flinched.

Viktor’s voice came through. “He’s here.”

She felt Alexander tense beside her.

Her fingers curled into her palm.

This was it.

No turning back.

Sophie inhaled sharply, steeling herself.

Then, without another word, she walked out the door.

Straight into the lion’s den.