Page 20 of Embrace of the Russian Tiger

Mikhail shifted, leaning against the counter as he watched me. His eyes were soft, but there was an intensity behind them that made me feel like he could see right through me, like he could sense that something was wrong.

My grip on the water bottle tightened as I mustered a casual shrug and fed a blatant lie to Mikhail's penetrating stare. But inside, I was screaming with terror. Does he know? The thought shot through me like a bolt of lightning, sending shivers down my spine. Pushing down the fear, I flashed him a fake smile. I couldn’t let him see how much I knew - not yet.

Mikhail's gaze bore into me, searching for any hint of deception behind my carefully chosen words. Did he already suspect that I had overheard his conversation with Maxim? But then, just like always, he smiled at me with genuine kindness - a gentle contrast to Maxim's cold demeanor.

"You've been through so much," he spoke softly. "More than anyone should ever have to endure. I know things have been tense… but I want you to know that I’m here for you. You don't have to face this alone."

A wave of emotions washed over me at his words, tugging at my heartstrings. Mikhail was different from Maxim in all the ways that mattered - more empathetic, more willing to show vulnerability. It was hard not to trust him, even though every instinct was telling me not to trust anyone right now.

"Thank you, Mikhail," I barely managed to whisper, unable to meet his gaze fully. "That means everything to me."

He nodded earnestly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I mean it, Anna. If you ever need anything - if you're ever in danger or if something feels off - you can count on me. You can trust me."

His offer hung heavily in the air between us. He was giving me an escape route, an option if things became too dangerous. And for a moment, I almost spilled everything -I know thetruth. I know who I really am. But I held back. I needed more information, more certainty before revealing my true identity.

Summoning another smile, I pretended to take a sip from the water bottle. "I appreciate that, Mikhail. More than you know."

His features softened even further, exposing the pain hidden behind his eyes. Like me, he had been through hell and back - maybe even worse. His family had been torn apart by violence and grief, and it showed in the way he carried himself, always trying to protect those around him even when he needed saving himself.

"Be careful," he cautioned in a low voice. "This world... it's dangerous, Anna. And sometimes, the greatest threats come from those closest to you."

His words hit me harder than they should have, especially considering what I had just learned about Maxim. Was he warning me about him? Did he suspect that I was questioning everything?

I nodded slowly, unsure of how else to respond. "I’ll keep that in mind."

There was a long, tense silence between us, and I could feel the weight of everything unsaid hanging in the air. I wanted to ask him more, to press him for details, to find out if he knew the truth about who I was. But I couldn’t risk it. Not yet.

Mikhail finally pushed himself off the counter, giving me one last look before he turned to leave. He spoke softly, his words lingering in the air. "If you need anything," he said, "you can always come to me."

I watched as he strolled out of the kitchen, his footsteps fading away. The tension in my chest eased slightly, but my mind was still a whirlwind of doubts and fears. I couldn’t ignore the nagging suspicion that Mikhail knew more than he was letting on, that he was trying to warn me about something I hadn't fully comprehended.

But I refused to give up. I had made my decision. Tomorrow, I would confront the mysterious sender of the text and uncover the truth for myself.

CHAPTER 11

Istared at the reflection in the mirror, adjusting the cufflinks on my shirt, the weight of the meeting ahead pressing down on me. Nikolai. It had been years since we last spoke, and yet, the thought of seeing him again stirred something I couldn’t quite place. Not nostalgia. No, I wasn’t the sentimental type. But there was something unsettling about the timing of this meeting—something that made the back of my neck prickle.

Nikolai had always been a wildcard, even when we were kids. He was charismatic, open, but always with an edge. You could never be too sure what he was really thinking, what he was planning. And now, after all these years, he wanted to meet.

I buttoned the last cuff and glanced at my watch. Mikhail would be arriving soon. He had insisted on joining me for this meeting, and as much as I preferred handling things on my own, I knew better than to refuse his offer. Mikhail had a sharp eye, and his instincts were rarely wrong. If something was off with Nikolai, Mikhail would pick up on it.

I stepped out of my room and made my way downstairs, the familiar tension of the mansion settling around me like a second skin. I had spent years cultivating this life, building my empirefrom the ground up. There was no room for weakness. Not now. Not ever.

As I reached the foyer, the door swung open, and Mikhail stepped inside. His expression was unreadable, as always, but there was a quiet intensity about him that told me he was already on high alert.

“You’re ready?” he asked, his voice low as he glanced at me.

I nodded, slipping on my jacket. “Let’s get this over with.”

We made our way to the car, the drive to the meeting place passing in tense silence. The city blurred past us, a reminder of everything I had built, everything that was at stake. Nikolai might have been a part of my past, but he had no place in my future. Still, I couldn’t ignore the curiosity gnawing at me.

The car pulled to a stop outside the restaurant, and I stepped out, my eyes scanning the surroundings. It was a quiet place, tucked away from the busy streets. Discreet. The kind of place where deals were made in whispers and alliances were forged—or broken.

Mikhail fell in step beside me as we entered, his eyes sharp as he surveyed the room. Nikolai was already seated at a corner table, a glass of whiskey in front of him. He looked up as we approached, a wide smile spreading across his face.

“Maxim,” he greeted, his voice warm and open, as if we were old friends catching up after years apart. “It’s good to see you, my friend.”

I sat down across from him, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. Mikhail remained standing for a moment, his gaze lingering on Nikolai before he finally took a seat beside me.

---