Chapter 157
Evelyn's POV
Two hours later, I stood in the Hamptons house watching Julian pace while conducting three phone conversations simultaneously.
The house was beautiful. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic. Custom millwork. Expensive furnishings.
But what made it impressive was the security. Reinforced doors and windows. State-of-the-art alarms. Multiple safe rooms. Hidden weapons caches everywhere.
"This is insane," I said when Julian ended his calls.
"This is necessary." He poured two glasses of scotch. "Kholod made their position clear. Which means we need to make them let you go unwillingly."
"By doing what, exactly?" I accepted the glass. "You keep saying you're going to end this, but you haven't explained how."
Julian took a long swallow before answering. "The operative Weber is currently interviewing is going to deliver a message. He's going to explain that Titan is prepared to pay substantial compensation for your contract. But he's also going to explain that if they refuse and keep sending operatives, we will treat each attempt as an act of war."
"They'll never accept money," I said flatly. "It makes them look weak."
"Which is why the money isn't the real message." Julian's smile was cold. "The real message is what we do to the operative before we send him back. The real message is how thoroughly we dismantle their intelligence network. The demonstration of exactly how much damage Titan can do."
I stared at him. "You're going to torture him."
"I'm going to interrogate him," Julian corrected. "Extract information that lets me map Kholod's entire operational structure in North America. Then I'm going to use that to systematically dismantle every safe house, every contact, every resource they have on this continent."
"That's going to make them come after us harder."
"In the short term, yes." His expression didn't change. "But long term, it's going to make them realize pursuing you costs more than they can afford. That every operative they send gives me more intelligence. That continuing means watching their entire North American operation burn."
He moved closer, taking my hands. "I'm not trying to win a battle. I'm trying to win a war. And you win wars against organizations like Kholod by making the cost of fighting higher than surrender. By showing them you're willing to escalate faster and further. By demonstrating that their vendetta means losing everything they've built."
"This could destroy Titan," I said. "Going to war with a Russian intelligence organization—it could bring down attention that makes it impossible to operate."
"Then we'll rebuild." His voice was calm. "Rebrand, restructure, whatever it takes. But I'm not sacrificing you to protect my business."
I wanted to argue. But looking at his face—at the absolute conviction—I realized arguing was pointless. He'd already decided.
"When does this start?"
"It already has." He glanced at his watch. "Weber started the interrogation ninety minutes ago. By now he should have enough to begin rolling up their network. By tomorrow morning, Kholod will wake up to discover half their North American assets have disappeared."
"And then?"
"We wait for them to send someone to negotiate." His mouth curved. "Someone senior enough to make decisions. Someone who can look at the cost-benefit and recognize this isn't a fight they can win."
"You sound very certain."
"I am certain." He pulled me closer. "Because I've spent two weeks running every scenario. War-gamed this from every angle. And every analysis comes back the same: Kholod can't win a protracted conflict with Titan. We have more resources, more reach, more flexibility."
I leaned into him. "What if you're wrong? What if they decide proving they can't be intimidated is worth more?"
"Then we go to ground," Julian said simply. "New identities, new location, new life. I have contingencies. Safe houses not connected to Titan. If Kholod proves stubborn, we disappear."
"You've really thought of everything."
"I've tried to." His arms tightened. "I told you. I'm not letting them take you. Whatever it takes—I'll do it. Without hesitation."
I pulled back to look at him. "I love you," I said. "I don't think I've said that enough. But I love you, Julian."
His expression softened. "I know," he said quietly. "I've known since that night at the hospital. When you broke down and admitted you were scared. That's when I knew—when you let yourself be that honest."
"I was terrified," I admitted. "Terrified of needing someone that much."
"Never," Julian said fiercely. "You're worth everything. Every risk, every sacrifice. All of it."
He kissed me then. Deep and thorough. When we broke apart, his forehead rested against mine.
"We're still getting married in two days," Julian said. "War or no war. We're getting married, then figuring out how to build the life we deserve."
"Two days," I repeated.
"Two days," Julian confirmed. Then he pulled back. "But first, I need to meet Weber and review what we've learned. You should rest. It's been a long day."
I wanted to argue. To insist on being included. But exhaustion was pulling at me. And I trusted Julian to handle this.
"Okay," I said. "But Julian? Be careful. Kholod operatives are trained to resist interrogation."
"I know." His smile was cold. "That's why Weber is conducting the actual interrogation while I observe. We're not taking chances."
He kissed me once more, then headed for the door.
I watched him go and tried not to think about all the ways this could still go wrong.
Instead I carried my scotch upstairs where Ghost was curled on the bed looking offended. I sat beside him, running my hand over her fur, and let myself imagine what our life might look like on the other side of this.
When Kholod had been neutralized. When we could actually be married without constantly looking over our shoulders.
It was a nice fantasy.
I just hoped we'd live long enough to make it reality.