Page 111 of Hunter

She sighs, clearly conflicted, but I can see the wheels turning in her head. “Impenetrable?”

“It’s safer than Fort Knox,” I say firmly, trying to give her a sense of security.

“Okay, I’ll go,” she finally says, her voice a mix of acceptance and resignation.

“Perfect. I’ll set it up so you leave tonight. I’ll message my pilot,” I reply, my fingers already moving to arrange the flight.

“Why tonight?” she asks, her brow furrowing in concern.

“The faster you leave, the less chance they’ll have of finding you. Now go, pack. Get your kids and be at the airport in seven hours.”

She gives me a quick, grateful nod. “Thank you.” Then, she hugs Sophia tightly before heading out, leaving me alone with Sophia and Andrei.

“Everyone’s gone. Can you tell me what you needed to talk about?” Andrei asks, his voice still edged with confusion.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. This is the hardest part, the part I’ve been avoiding. But I can’t avoid it any longer. My mind is made up, and it’s time to face the consequences.

“I’m retiring,” I say, letting the words hang in the air, almost like I’m testing them out, trying to gauge their weight.

Andrei jerks his head back, his eyes wide with disbelief. “What do you mean, retiring?”

I chuckle softly at the absurdity of it. “I’m leaving all of this to you,” I say, nodding toward him. “You’re much better suited to this role than I am, Andrei. You have the patience and the drive I don’t. This whole time, I thought it was my calling, but it’s not. I was forced into this position with no other choice.”

He stares at me, shaking his head, as if he can’t believe what he’s hearing. “You’re fucking crazy. You can’t do that,” he says, his voice rising with frustration.

“I most certainly can and will,” I reply, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

He turns to Sophia, searching for reassurance, but she shrugs, a little too nonchalant for my liking. “Don’t look at me. I had no idea he was planning to do this.”

“This isn’t her doing, Andrei,” I snap, my voice sharp. “Don’t point fingers at her. It’s all me. I’ve seen the way you’ve handled things. After the fire, before that. You know the men. You have a passion for this job I don’t have. You’re the one who’s built for this life, not me.”

Andrei’s face twists with emotion. “I can’t do this. I can’t,” he repeats, his voice raw. I can feel the pain in his words, the weight of everything he’s carrying.

“Yes, you can. You are more than capable,” I say, my conviction unwavering.

He laughs bitterly, the sound hollow. “You’re crazy. There are people who won’t stand for this change,” he warns, his tone low, as if he’s trying to prepare me for the inevitable fallout.

“Then we’ll handle them when the time comes,” I say, my voice hard as stone.

He looks at me, his face a mix of disbelief and admiration. “Are you serious?”

“Very,” I answer, holding his gaze. There’s no turning back now.

Andrei falls silent, his eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt. But there is none. I’m done with this life, done with all the blood, the danger, the endless lies. It’s time for something new.

“What are you going to do from now on?” he asks, his voice softer now, tinged with a touch of curiosity.

“I’m going to continue helping you from a distance,” I say, my gaze shifting to Sophia, who’s watching us with a soft, knowing smile. “I’m going legit like I’ve wanted to for some time. With you working in the shadows like you love, we can have it all. I want to give my baby the father we never had.”

“Father?” Andrei’s eyes widen, and he stands, his smile suddenly broad and filled with disbelief. “TheMaxim Volkov, who always has a stick up his ass, is going to be a father?”

“Yes, he is,” Sophia chimes in, her voice filled with pride.

Andrei wraps his arms around her in a tight hug then turns to me, his smile genuine and full of warmth. “Congratulations, man. I’m happy for you.”

As I watch them, warmth spreads through my chest. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Maybe this is the right choice after all. Maybe, for the first time in my life, I’m actually doing what’s best for me—and for my family.

Everything’s going to be alright.

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