Page 9 of Veil of Shadows

I turn, finally facing him. He looks the same as always—sharp suit, stern eyes, the kind of man you don’t mess with. But there’s something new today. Frustration, maybe. Or doubt.

“She’s digging into things she shouldn’t,” he presses. “If you don’t handle it, someone else will. Sergei’s already talking.”

“Let him talk.” My voice comes out harsher than I intend, but Lev doesn’t flinch.

“You think he’s bluffing?” He leans in, eyes cold. “The old guard won’t sit by while you play cat-and-mouse with this woman. They want her gone.”

Silence stretches between us. My jaw clenches. Alyssa should have been dealt with weeks ago. But every time I try to cut her loose, I find a reason to pull back.

“You’re softening,” Lev says quietly, like he’s stating a fact. “Sentimentality, Viktor. It’s a weakness.”

I bark out a laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “Sentimental? I’m not the one who’s losing his edge.”

Lev’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t back down. “Make your move, or they’ll make it for you.”

For a moment, I want to tell him everything, to admit that there’s something about Alyssa I can’t shake. But that would mean showing weakness. And weakness gets people killed.

“I’ll take care of it,” I say, turning back to the window.

Lev’s reflection lingers in the glass, his eyes searching mine. “Make sure you do.” And with that, he’s gone, leaving behind the faint scent of cologne and the echo of his warning.

---

Hours later, the sun is high, but my mind is still stuck on Alyssa. I bury myself in work—reports, files, surveillance footage. It’s pointless. My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts. Her name flashes on the screen.

I answer, trying to keep my voice steady. “Alyssa.”

“Meet me,” she says, skipping the pleasantries. There’s a tightness to her voice, like she’s barely holding it together. “Café on Lincoln. Thirty minutes.”

Before I can argue, the line goes dead.

---

The café is nearly empty when I arrive. The smell of coffee hangs in the air, but all I notice is her. Alyssa’s seated in the corner, her posture tense, fingers tapping restlessly on the table.

She looks up as I approach. Her eyes are tired, but that fire is still there, smoldering. It’s almost...admirable.

I sit across from her, leaning back, trying to seem casual. “You’ve been busy,” I say.

She doesn’t waste time. “I want the truth, Viktor. About the files. The sabotage. All of it.”

I raise an eyebrow, feigning confusion. “And why would you think I know anything about that?”

“Don’t,” she snaps, leaning forward. “Don’t play dumb with me. I know it was you in my lab. I know someone’s been screwing with my work.”

I lean in, lowering my voice. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Alyssa. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

“Maybe not,” she fires back, eyes flashing. “But I’m not walking away. Not until I get what I came for.”

Her defiance hits like a punch. I want to grab her, shake some sense into her—or maybe kiss her just to shut her up. I can’t decide which.

“You’re going to get yourself killed,” I say, almost a whisper.

“Maybe.” She shrugs, her voice softening. “But at least I’ll die doing the right thing.”

Her words land harder than I expect. For a moment, all I see is my mother, standing up to my father’s empire, refusing to back down. The memory leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Why do you care so much?” I demand. “You could just walk away.”

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