Page 19 of Tainted Empire

I extend my hand to help her up, a smirk playing on my lips. “Gotcha,” I say, feeling a rush of triumph.

Lee chuckles as she takes my hand, pulling herself up effortlessly. “Not bad, Gabi. You’re catching on quick.”

We stand up, catching our breath. “You’re a good teacher,” I replied, feeling a sense of achievement.

She nods, wiping sweat from her brow. “You’re a quick learner. And you’ve got guts. That’s important in our world.”

I understand what she means. In the dangerous world we come from, being able to hold your own is more than just a skill – it’s a survival necessity.

As we’re picking up our training gear, Lee’s demeanor shifts slightly, indicating she has something more on her mind.

“By the way, Gabi,” she starts, her voice taking on a more serious tone, “Mikhail got a major lead.”

My head whips up and my eyes widen. “A lead? On what?”

Lee nods, her expression growing more solemn. “On who’s been behind all this mess. The drugging, the setup... possibly everything.”

I pause, my hands stilling on my water bottle. “Does he know who it is?”

“That’s just it,” Lee says, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed. “He’s keeping tight-lipped about it. Not even Lorenzo knows the details. But from the sounds of it, he’s onto something big.”

“But why wouldn’t he tell Lorenzo?” I ask, frowning. “They’re usually in on everything together.”

“Remember, Lorenzo is Italian Mob and Mischa is Bratva,” Lee shrugs, her gaze thoughtful. “My guess? It’s someone close, someone we wouldn’t expect. Mikhail’s playing his cards close to his chest on this one. He doesn’t want to risk any leaks.”

I feel a chill run down my spine. The mystery of who orchestrated the events that nearly destroyed us has been a constant shadow looming over everything. “Do you think he’s onto something concrete?”

“It sounds like it,” Lee replies, zipping up her bag. “We’re leaving it up to him to tell us, respecting his wishes.”

I nod, absorbing this. Mikhail’s world is all about strategy and keeping your cards hidden. “But he’s okay, right?”

Lee looks at me, a small reassuring smile on her face. “He’s Mikhail. He’s as tough as they come. But yeah, he’s fine. Just... focused. There’s always some level of danger,” Lee responds, but there’s a reassuring firmness in her voice.

“But he knows what he’s doing. He’s been in this game long enough to handle himself.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thanks for telling me, Lee. It’s just... after everything, I can’t help but worry.”

“I get it,” she says, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “But trust me, if Mikhail’s onto something, he’s going to see it through. And he’ll come out on top. He always does.”

Her confidence in Mikhail is reassuring, but it doesn’t entirely ease the knot of concern in my stomach. “I just wish I could be there with him, you know? To help, or at least support him.”

Lee places a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I get it, Gabi. But sometimes, Mikhail’s way of protecting you is by keeping you out of the darker parts of his world. He doesn’t want you caught in the crossfire.”

“But I’m already in it, aren’t I?” I counter, a bit of frustration seeping through. “I’ve been targeted, dragged into this mess. I want to help, Lee. I need to.”

Lee looks at me, her eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and caution. “Just be patient, Gabi. I’ll let you know if I hear anything else. Right now, the best thing you can do is keep preparing yourself. Be ready for whatever comes next.”

I let out a slow breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. “Alright,” I concede, though the fire of determination still burns within me. “But I’m not just going to sit back and wait. If there’s anything I can do…”

“You’ll be the first to know,” Lee assures me, a hint of a smile returning to her face. “Now, let’s get cleaned up. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

My solo at the philharmonic; the day I purge my sadness for all to see.

As we leave the training room, my mind is filled with thoughts of Mikhail and the mysterious lead he’s chasing. I hope that whatever he’s found brings us closer to the truth and one step nearer to ending this nightmare.

But until then, I’ll keep training, keep preparing. For Mikhail, for myself, and for whatever lies ahead.

I’m exhausted by the time I walk into my bedroom. A full day of rehearsals plus sparring with Lee took it out of me.

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