Kir cups my face in both hands. His thumbs brush my cheekbones and his eyes are clear and bright for the first time in weeks. “All done. Without Lukas running the company, the Bratva loses its corporate cover. The chairman’s office is the pakhan’s office, and now, it’s my office. I decide what happens, and I say you’re safe.” He presses his forehead against mine. “You’re safe, little fox. It’s over.”
I let that sink in. Nobody is coming through my window tonight. Nobody is going to corner me in an alley or a theater or a bathroom. There is no more list with my name on it. There is no more ticking clock.
… that Kir and I don’t need our arrangement anymore.
The realization moves through me slowly. Every reason we gave ourselves for doing this just evaporated. If I stay now, it’s not becau
