Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
AVELINA
In the yard the next day, the soft haze of heat settles over the path where my little girl, Sofia, sits. And nestled in her lap is Viktor’s cat, Queenie.
I lean against the frame of the kitchen door, watching the two of them like they’re a picture I never want to fade.
Sofia’s soft voice floats through the air—quiet, but full of something warm and real—as her fingers trail through Queenie’s thick fur.
The cat lets out a low, approving purr that fills the air like a tiny, contented engine.
Her fluffy body rises and falls with each rhythmic breath, her eyelids half-mast in pure bliss.
It still amazes me how this gentle creature can do what therapists, teachers, and even I sometimes can’t.
Queenie doesn’t ask Sofia to speak, or make eye contact, or join in games she doesn’t understand.
She just exists beside her—warm, patient, and endlessly forgiving.
No rules. No expectations. Just quiet, complete love.
Sofia whispers something too soft for me to catch, her cheek pressing against Queenie’s head. The cat responds with a slow blink, the feline equivalent of a promise: You’re safe. I’ve got you.
And for the first time all day, Sofia isn’t stimming. She’s not pacing or twisting her fingers or humming under her breath to hold off stress and a meltdown. She’s here, grounded in the present moment, every muscle loose, her body at peace.
I stay where I am, afraid that even one step forward might break the spell. And Queenie stretches, a long lazy motion, and rests one paw on Sofia’s knee as if to say, I’m not going anywhere.
I breathe in slowly, letting the peace of the moment sink deep into my bones. Because for once—just once—my little girl isn’t overwhelmed or lost in her own world. She’s here. Calm. Happy. Whole.
And all it took was a cat who saw her exactly as she is.
Viktor steps up behind me. The woody gunpowder scent that lingers on his skin wraps around me. “Sofia is calmer today,” he comments.
I nod. There’s something warm about this whole scene that presses into my ribs, aching and sweet. Like this is where we’re meant to be. With people who understand us. “She is. Queenie might like her more than you.”
He huffs—that’s as close to a laugh as I’ll get. And I laugh as he pinches my hip.
We settle into a companionable silence as we watch them. Then I crane my neck and watch him instead. There’s a softness to his features most don’t catch. Most of the men don’t look him in the eye for long. And I love that it’s something only I see.
Others see the hardened man. The ex-special forces man who barks orders.
The dangerous man who could kill you with a single movement.
But this Viktor? The one holding me like I matter?
That’s the one I study. I know his tells.
The small crinkle at the corner of his eyes.
That barely-there smile. He’s enjoying the picture of Sofia and Queenie together as much as I am.
And that makes me melt inside and squeeze my legs a little tighter, shifting my weight and trying to ignore how he makes my body heat.
“She trusts Queenie,” he says softly. “Somehow that cat knows exactly what people need…”
My throat tightens. “She’s a smart cat. I’ve never quite seen anything like it.”
“She helps Sofia regulate,” Viktor replies. “Me too. I’ve never really experienced that before she showed up.”
I glance back at him. “Maybe it’s magic.”
His lip twitches. “Maybe.”
I shake my head, laughing slightly, as I turn back to Sofia and Queenie. For a moment, this is just a normal, sunny afternoon, and it’s easy to forget what lurks outside the Kremlin.
Almost.
Viktor pulls me closer, his chin resting on my head. These small touches from him bring a different kind of comfort. “She’s safe,” he says gently. Almost like he has a sixth sense, always knowing when I need reminding.
“I just wish it could stay like this…carefree.”
His hold tightens around me very slightly. “I’ll keep her and Leon safe. I’ll keep all of you safe. No matter what it takes.”
He’s said that to me every single day since I told him about Gennady. And God, do I want to believe him, but I know what Gennady is capable of. And that fear gnaws at my gut, fraying the edges of my hope.
“You’re all safe here,” he says again, turning my face up to his. His kiss is brief, but it eases some of my doubts, and my body relaxes.
We stay outside a little longer, soaking up the quiet before bringing the kids inside. Leon plays with his teething toys, Babulya looking on fondly. Sofia snuggles into the couch with her weighted blanket and Queenie stretched across her lap.
After a nod from Babulya, Viktor and I retreat to his office.
He leaves the door slightly ajar before leaning against the desk, arms crossed.
“I’ve been following Gennady,” he starts, his voice is low and even.
Just hearing the name makes my skin crawl.
“He’s being careful. Slippery. But we’re better. ”
I brace myself. “Oh?”
He nods.
“And?” I try to sound casual.
Viktor motions me toward him. I step closer, and he takes my hand gently, his thumb rubbing the back of it. “He’s been going to the usual places. The rink, hotels, a couple of tourist spots. And some places he definitely shouldn’t be visiting.”
My stomach drops. “Like where?”
“A casino.”
“It’s Vegas. Isn’t that normal?” I ask.
“It’s not one on the Strip. There are some we watch. Know your enemy and all that.”
I press him for more details. “What do you mean, Viktor?”
“It means we need more intel. He’s smart. And I think he’s here for more than just skating. He may be involved in arms deals.”
“What does this mean for us?” My voice comes out in a rush.
“It means you’re safe, Avelina.”
“I’m serious, Viktor.”
“So am I. I won’t let him hurt you.” He cups my face. “I have to go deal with some work issues. But I’ll be back in a few hours.”
He kisses my forehead and then leaves.
And I know we’re mostly safe here. And that Viktor will do anything for Sofia. For us.
I just don’t know what it’ll cost him.
I’m curled up on the bed, book in my lap. The door opens, and I lift my gaze. Relief floods me, like it always does when he comes home now. Knowing he’s safe. Knowing he’s where he’s supposed to be.
“You’re still up?”
“I was reading.”
He nods, dropping a duffle bag onto the armchair. He grabs a shower and then comes back into the bedroom. “I have information.”
“Oh?”
Shirtless, he sits down beside me on the bed. My eyes roam the expanse of his chest, the ink crawling up his arms fully on display. It’s distracting…
“We found out a bit about what Gennady is doing.”
All my previous thoughts vanish. “What?”
He leans forward, elbows on knees. The low lighting casts sharp shadows across his face. “It’s not just backroom deals for his skaters. It’s worse. Business deals. Alliances, probably.” He pauses. “I saw him myself leaving the Viper Club.”
“The Viper Club?”
“It’s owned by the Albanian mob. Their boss is a ruthless son of a bitch who makes men like us look nice.” There’s steel in his voice now. “He’s not someone you meet with unless you’re desperate—or planning something big.”
I chew my lip. “So what does that mean?”
Viktor is silent. For a moment, I don’t think he’ll answer. “We’ll keep digging. And when it’s time, we’ll make our move. We protect what’s ours, Avelina.”
I swallow hard. “Be careful, Viktor. The things he’s connected to…”
He gives a ghost of a smile. One that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Doesn’t matter. You, Sofia, Leon—you’re worth protecting.”
My throat tightens at the warmth in his voice. I just stare at him as his hand caresses my leg beneath the blanket.
He stands. “Before bed, I need to check in with Nikolai. He and Matvey are tracking his movements. We think he’s got a meeting coming up.”
“Can I help?” I don’t even know why I ask. I just don’t want him to do this alone.
“No.” His refusal is immediate. Not harsh, but sharp. “You’re not going anywhere near this.”
“I… Please?”
He’s quiet for a few moments. I watch the muscle in his jaw twitch. “You’ll help me by staying here. I don’t want you in this. That you even think you need—”
I rise to my knees, reaching for him gently. “You didn’t bring this into my life. It followed me, remember? I know you want to keep me sheltered, but it’d make me feel better if I were doing something to help.”
He catches my hand and kisses my palm. Vulnerable. Gentle. He steps closer and cups my face, brushing my cheek like I’m something miraculous. “I’ll be back soon.”
I know he won’t be long—Nikolai’s just downstairs in the security room. I lie back down, but the book’s forgotten.
I trust Viktor. And I trust all these men. But that doesn’t make the Gennady situation any easier to swallow.
Later that week, I can tell they’re gearing up for something.
The kids are playing in the rec room. Some of the men are starting a poker game, Sofia perched on Matvey’s lap. But most of them are piling into the SUVs outside. Something’s going down.
“Viktor?” I ask, watching him pause in the doorway. The tactical vest clings to his frame, blending with his black shirt and pants. He looks like he’s going to war.
I step closer. “What’s—”
He shakes his head. “Keep your phone close. If anyone approaches the house—anything—you call me. Immediately. Then go to the safe room. Understand?”
“Okay.”
He lingers, like he wants to say more but can’t.
“Please be careful,” I whisper.
“I can take care of myself. You, Sofia, Leon—you’re the ones I’m worried about.”
I tug him toward me by his vest. “Don’t do anything stupid. I need you to come back.” There it is. The raw honesty I rarely speak. I’m scared. Because Geliy used to ignore my feelings. But Viktor? His expression softens.
He cups my face. “Don’t worry, I’m coming back to find you asleep in our bed.”
Our bed. Those two words make my heart beat so fast.
Then he takes a step back, turns, and follows the others out.
But when he returns later, he tells me it was a dead end. And when I finally fall asleep, all I can dream of is the man who’s haunted me since I was a child.