Page 49 of Captured By the Russian Wolf

I tightened my grip on her hand, my eyes locking onto hers, and spoke with an intensity that surprised even me. "Then we'll figure it out together."

The silence stretched between us again, but this time it wasn't suffocating. It was heavy with the weight of possibility, of choices that hadn't yet been made. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the way she was torn between two worlds—the world of vengeance that had driven her for so long and the life that could be waiting for her if she let go of the past.

"Just promise me one thing," I said quietly, leaning closer, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Whatever you choose… don't push me away."

Lily didn't respond immediately, her fingers still trembling under my grip. I could feel the war raging inside her, the weight of the choice I'd laid in front of her. But no matter what she decided, I already knew what had to be done. Nicholas Donovan was a threat that I couldn't ignore. He had orchestrated too much destruction, manipulated too many people—including Lily—and I wouldn't let him get away with it.

But I also knew that I couldn't let her be the one to end him. The thought of her being dragged deeper into this world, of her hands stained with more blood, made my chest tighten. She wasn't meant for this. And no matter what revenge she thought she needed, I had to make sure she didn't become the monster her father had tried to mold her into.

I looked at her, seeing the confusion and pain etched on her face, and it took everything in me to keep my own anger in check. I wanted to storm back to Donovan's estate, rip him apart for what he'd done to her, for how he'd twisted her life. But I had to be smart. I had to be careful. If I went after him without a plan, I risked everything—my empire, my men, and most importantly, her.

I leaned back slightly, my gaze still locked on hers, but my mind was already working through the details. Nicholas Donovan wasn't just a father who had betrayed his daughter—he was a businessman with powerful connections.

This would need to be precise, surgical. I couldn't let it become a war that bled into my world and hers. I had to eliminate him quietly, cleanly, before he had a chance to retaliate. And I couldn't risk Lily being part of that. Not after everything she'd already been through.

But she didn't need to know that yet. Not until I had everything in place.

I squeezed her hand gently, my voice softening. "You don't have to decide anything right now," I said, my tone careful. "Take your time. Process what you're feeling. We don't have to rush into anything."

She nodded, though I could see the doubt flickering in her eyes. She was still struggling, still torn between the need for justice and the pull of something softer—something that might finally offer her peace.

And I wanted to give her that peace. More than anything, I wanted to take this burden off her shoulders. But I knew her too well. If I didn't handle this the right way, she'd try to take matters into her own hands. And that was something I couldn't allow.

As she turned her gaze back to the window, lost in thought, I stood up slowly, my mind already racing with the next steps I needed to take.

"Get some rest," I told her, my voice steady. "I'll handle things from here."

Her eyes flicked back to mine, and I could see the hesitation in them—the uncertainty. She didn't trust herself anymore, didn't trust her own instincts after everything she had learned. And I understood that. But she needed to trust me. I'd make sure this ended the way it had to.

"I'm not sure if I can just… rest," she whispered, her voice fragile. "Not with everything hanging over us."

I stepped closer, my body moving against my will. I felt the overwhelming urge to comfort her, soothe her. I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, my fingers brushing lightly against her cheek. "You've been carrying this for too long, Lily. Let me take it from here."

Lily touched where I kissed her, as if unsure it happened. She closed her eyes, and for a moment, I saw her shoulders relax, as if some of the weight had finally lifted. But I knew this wasn't over.

CHAPTER 19

Nikita

The night was thick with tension, the air heavy as I sat in the dim light of my study, my fingers tapping a steady rhythm on the desk. The decision had been made. Nicholas Donovan had to go. The question wasn't whether it would happen—it was how and when. And whether Lily would ever know the full extent of what I was about to do for her.

I had no illusions about what this meant. I knew the danger Nicholas posed—not just to my empire, but to Lily herself. He was a man who played the long game, twisting the people around him to suit his needs, manipulating them like chess pieces. And now, with his cards on the table, there was no doubt he was preparing to make his next move. One wrong step, and he'd use Lily as leverage against me, as he'd already done once.

I couldn't let that happen.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found the number I needed. Vadim, my most trusted enforcer, the man I relied on when things got complicated. The man whoknew how to make problems disappear. I pressed the call button and waited for him to pick up.

"Boss," came his gravelly voice after the second ring. "What do you need?"

"I need you to set up a meeting," I said, my voice steady, cold. "Nicholas Donovan. It has to be off the radar. No one can know about this."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Understood. Where and when?"

"Tomorrow night," I replied, leaning back in my chair as I thought it through. "Make it somewhere quiet. Somewhere out of the way."

"A warehouse near the docks," Vadim suggested. "It's secure, and we can control the area."

"Perfect. Make sure he knows it's a private conversation. Just the two of us."

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