Page 31 of His Grip

“No, you can’t.” His words were brutal, but his expression softened almost immediately, regret crossing his face. “Not against men like Alexei. You have no idea what he’s capable of.”

“And I’ll never learn if you keep treating me like a liability!” she shot back.

The calm that followed was heavy, broken only by the faint hum of the city outside. They stood there, locked in a battle of wills, until Viktor finally exhaled and rubbed a hand over his face.

“You’re not coming,” he said again, quieter this time but no less resolute.

Sofia’s fists clenched at her sides, frustration and helplessness bubbling to the surface. “Fine,” she snapped. “Do it your way. But don’t expect me to sit here like a good little wife and wait for you to come back.”

She turned on her heel and stormed out of the study, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.

Viktor stood in the study for a long time after Sofia left, the atmosphere thick with the echoes of their argument. Her words haunted him, twisting like a knife in his chest. She was right—this was her fight, too. But the thought of her walking into Alexei’s trap, exposed and vulnerable, made his blood run cold.

Sergei cleared his throat, breaking the quiet. Viktor had had no idea he was still in the room. “She’s got a point, you know,” he said, his tone careful. “Ivan’s her brother. She’s not going to back down.”

Viktor’s glare was sharp enough to cut steel, but Sergei didn’t flinch.

“She’s not ready for this,” Viktor growled.

“No one’s ever ready for their first time,” Sergei replied, leaning on the edge of the table. “But if you leave her behind, she’s only going to find another way to get involved. At least if she’s with us, you can keep an eye on her.”

Viktor’s jaw clenched, the logic undeniable yet bitter. The last thing he wanted was Sofia in the middle of this mess, but Sergei had a point. Keeping her close was safer than leaving her alone to act out of desperation.

Sofia was pacing the sitting room, her mind a whirlwind of frustration and helplessness, when Viktor’s shadow fell across the doorway. She stopped mid-step, her heart leaping in spite of her anger.

He entered, his presence commanding even without a word. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the charged stillness stretching between them.

“You’re coming with us,” he said finally, a low, steady timbre characterizing his speech.

Her eyes widened in surprise, though she quickly masked it. “I thought you said I’d be a liability.”

“You will be,” he replied bluntly, his lips pressing into a thin line. “But I’d rather have you where I can protect you than leave you behind to do something reckless.”

She crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. “And what exactly would I do?”

Viktor advanced, his eyes locking onto hers with a seriousness that sent a shudder down her spine. “You’ll stay by my side. No heroics, no wandering off. You follow my orders to the letter. Understood?”

Sofia hesitated, the weight of his words sinking in. He wasn’t giving her a choice—this was the only way she could be part of the mission.

“Understood,” she said finally.

Viktor studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. “Good. You’ll ride with me. Sergei will brief you on what you need to know.”

As he turned to leave, Sofia spoke up, her pitch softer now. “Thank you.”

He paused, his back to her, before glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t make me regret it.”

Every move and every sigh brought back memories from the previous night, lingering between them as they prepared for the mission, a silent undercurrent neither dared to acknowledge. Viktor was methodical, issuing orders and coordinating with his men as they finalized the plan. Sofia stayed close, listening intently as Sergei explained the operation in careful detail.

“You’ll be in the secondary vehicle with Viktor,” Sergei said, pointing to the map spread across the table. “We’ll approach from two sides. Your job is to stay out of the line of fire. Let us handle the heavy lifting.”

Sofia nodded, though her pulse quickened at the gravity of the situation. This wasn’t just about Ivan—this was a battle for survival, and she was waltzing into a world she barely understood.

Viktor watched her closely, his sharp eyes missing nothing. She could feel the weight of his scrutiny, the unspoken worry that lurked behind his stern demeanor. It mirrored her own fear, though neither of them would admit it.

As the team moved to load their weapons and gear, Viktor pulled Sofia aside.

“Stay close to me,” he instructed. “No matter what happens, you don’t leave my side. Promise me.”

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