Page 28 of His Grip

Finally, Viktor pulled away, his hands trailing over her skin as he helped her stand. He kissed her forehead, the tenderness in his touch juxtaposing the intensity of what had just transpired.

“You belong to me,” he repeated, not bothering to hide the commanding tone.

Sofia looked up at him, her heart still racing. The connection between them had shifted, deepened in a way that both terrified and exhilarated her. She wasn’t sure what would come next, but for the first time, she wasn’t afraid. Viktor stood over her, every part of him still intense, like a storm waiting to break. Sofia couldn’t look away.

“Don’t go looking for things that don’t concern you,” Viktor warned. There was something in his eyes—a warning, a promise, and a threat all in one.

Sofia nodded, trying to make sense of it all.

But deep down, she knew this—what had just happened—would complicate everything. And the truth about Andrei, about Viktor’s secrets, was a dangerous path. One that might lead her into the heart of a storm she wasn’t ready for.

Sofia stood in the office for a moment after Viktor took his leave, her heart still racing from the intensity of the encounter with Viktor. The sound of his groans echoed in her mind, the lingering heat between them both a reminder of how dangerously close they were to crossing an even darker line. She hadn’t anticipated this—didn’t expect the surge of desire to flood her body after everything that had just transpired. The desire, the confusion, the guilt. It all swirled together in a heady mess that left her breathless.

As she pulled her dress back into place and gathered herself, Sofia couldn’t help but feel the weight of the secrets pressingdown on her chest. Viktor had been hiding things, things he was reluctant to share, even as their passion flared and their power dynamics shifted. But now, she couldn’t ignore it any longer. She couldn’t push the growing unease aside. The feeling that Andrei’s loyalty was slipping through Viktor’s fingers, that something was festering in the dark corners of their world.

She turned sharply, heading for the door, her footsteps clicking down the hallway as she left the office. The cool ether in the corridor seemed to clear her mind, but it couldn’t shake the turmoil inside. She needed answers. She needed to know the truth. And Viktor wasn’t going to give it to her. She had to dig deeper, even if it meant risking everything.

But as she exited Viktor’s domain and into the elevator, Sofia felt a sudden wave of uncertainty. There was a growing danger in the pursuit of answers, in questioning everything she had come to rely on. She had already crossed boundaries with Viktor, letting herself fall into a web she could no longer manipulate. Her body, her mind—everything felt tangled in this mess.

Her thoughts moved toward Nina. She had always been level-headed, someone Sofia could rely on for sound judgment. Maybe, just maybe, Nina could provide some clarity. She needed to talk, to unload her frustrations, and her fears. Maybe Nina could help her make sense of everything.

When Sofia arrived at Nina’s apartment, the door opened almost immediately, as if Nina had been expecting her. Nina’s sharp eyes immediately assessed Sofia, taking in the discomfort in her posture, the storm cloud in her eyes.

Without a word, Nina moved aside, letting Sofia enter. There was no need for pleasantries between them. Sofia collapsed onto the couch, running her hands through her hair as she exhaled deeply.

Nina settled next to her. “What’s going on?”

Sofia hesitated, trying to find the right words to explain the turmoil swirling inside her. “Viktor... he’s hiding something. I’m sure of it. And Andrei—I don’t trust him. I think he’s betraying Viktor. I don’t know how or why, but I can feel it. Something is wrong.”

Nina’s eyes hardened at the mention of Andrei, and her lips pressed into a thin line. “You’ve been in this world long enough to know nothing is ever as it seems. Especially with Viktor. But Andrei? He’s Viktor’s right-hand man. If something’s off with him, you need to tread carefully. Viktor isn’t someone you can challenge without consequences.”

“I know.” Sofia's frustration resonated in the tight, strained timbre of her words, but there was something else buried beneath it—fear. Fear of what this all meant, and fear of losing herself in the pursuit of a truth that might be more dangerous than she could handle. “But I can’t ignore it. I need to know what’s going on. Andrei’s... different. Something’s changed. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Nina leaned back, studying Sofia with a mixture of caution and concern. “You’re already deep in this, Sofia. Deeper than you realize. But if you start digging into Viktor’s affairs—or Andrei’s—there’s no turning back. You’ll be risking more than you’re ready for.”

Sofia swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Nina’s warning press down on her like a leaden weight. “What am I supposed to do? Sit back and pretend everything’s fine?”

Nina shook her head slowly. “No. But you need to be smart. Viktor is dangerous. And you’ve seen the kind of power he holds. If you push too hard, you might find yourself in over your head. And there won’t be anyone there to save you.”

Sofia’s pulse raced, her heart pounding in her chest. It wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but deep down, she understood. She wasn’t just trying to uncover a secret—she was diving deeperinto a world that didn’t just take lives, it destroyed them. “I don’t know if I can stop, Nina. Not now. I have to know the truth. Maybe it can help my brother get out.”

Nina’s demeanor softened, and she reached out to gently take Sofia’s hand in hers, her touch warm and grounding. “I get it. I really do. But just remember—there are things you don’t want to find out. Some truths are more dangerous than you realize.”

Sofia nodded slowly, the storm of emotions inside her churning with new intensity. She had to uncover the truth, but Nina’s words echoed in her mind, louder than ever. The danger wasn’t just in Viktor’s world—it was in the choices she made.

As Sofia left Nina’s apartment later that night, the weight of the conversation lingered in her mind, and the cold New York oxygen seemed to press in on her. The path ahead felt more uncertain than ever. She had already crossed so many lines. But she couldn’t stop now. The secrets were too tempting, the stakes too high.

She just didn’t know if she was strong enough to handle what would come next.

CHAPTER 11

Viktor

Sergei knocked once and entered. Viktor turned away from the window of his bedroom to see the older man standing by the door, his eyes darting restlessly. It wasn't unusual for Sergei to come to the house; in truth, he practically lived here. But the scowl on Sergei’s face left no room for pleasantries. He was Viktor’s father figure, a man who had guided him with wisdom, helping him rise and build an empire from the ruins. Today, however, Sergei was all business.

“I hear Alexei has been making his moves against you,” he said. It probably wasn’t news anymore, but Viktor would bide his time. He couldn’t act rashly. He would move with purpose, discreetly, and he would win this war. “What are you doing about that?”

Viktor shrugged and slumped down on the edge of the bed. Flashes of memories crossed his mind: Sofia's pleasure-filled eyes, her moans filling the room, her body clinging desperately to him. He knew she had become significantly more to him than just a distraction.

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