A dozen of Damian's men stood in a half-circle around the long black table, weapons holstered but hands never far from the triggers.
Damian strode in like a shadow. His black shirt clung to his shoulders, He didn't sit at first; he stood at the head of the table, palms pressed flat against the cold steel, his expression like ice.
Viktor was already there, leaning lazily against the wall, eyes scanning the room, the only one who could afford to look relaxed in Damian Volkov's world.
"Status," Damian's voice cut through the room like a blade.
One of the lieutenants, a scar-faced man named Mikhail, cleared his throat and began his report.
"The Odessa shipment arrived. Clean. No interruptions. Our man in Milan says the hotel is secure."
Another man added, "The weapons deal in Warsaw is locked. Funds moved through the usual channels. No leaks."
Damian nodded once, silent.
Viktor noticed the shift in his friend's shoulders. "You're not even listening," he murmured, smirking faintly.
"What's going on in that head of yours, Damián?"
"Nothing that concerns you," Damian snapped, but his voice lacked its usual venom.
The men continued talking until one of the tech operatives hurried in from the back room, holding a tablet, eyes darting nervously.
"Sir," he said, almost tripping over his words. "You told us to keep an eye on that man… the investigator."
Damian's head snapped up sharply. "And?"
The man swallowed.
"Yes, sir. We followed him like you ordered. We… we tagged his car with a tracker after the first lunch he had with Miss Elena. You wanted eyes on him at all times."
Viktor's brows lifted. "Tracker? When did you—"
Damian's voice went cold. "What about it?"
The operative's fingers trembled as he passed the tablet across the table. "He's been looking for her aunt, sir and he is meeting with Miss Elena now"
Damian's jaw clenched. "Elena," he echoed.
"We've intercepted calls and Miss Elena accepted to have lunch with him at his apartment …"
The tablet in Damian's hands creaked as his fingers tightened. His eyes darkened to a storm.
No one spoke. Not even Viktor. The room felt like it had dropped ten degrees.
Damian slammed his fist onto the table, making the steel reverberate, papers scattering. The men flinched but didn't move.
"No one—no one—takes what's mine "
He turned to the operative. "Keep the tracker on him"
Viktor exhaled, muttering under his breath, "You're going to blow this sky high if you're not careful."
Damian didn't respond. He only turned, black coat swaying around him, and strode out of the underground room like a storm.
***
Elena gripped her purse tightly as the cab rolled through the busy city streets, she had refused her driver again and she knew Damianwas going to scold her badly.
The air outside was humid, but inside her chest, it felt cold, she couldn't stop thinking of Damian.
She pressed her forehead lightly to the glass window, watching buildings blur past, her heart beating faster the closer they got to Alex's address.
When the cab pulled up in front of the apartment building, Elena hesitated for a moment before paying and stepping out.
Her heels clicked on the pavement as she approached the door. She almost wanted to turn back, but Alex's message replayed in her mind— "Trust me, I'll help you find your aunt."
The door opened before she could knock twice. Alex stood there, his usual easy smile stretched across his face, though his eyes softened when he saw her.
"Elena," he said warmly, his voice carrying that mixture of excitement and tenderness that made her chest tighten. He reached out a hand. "Come in."
She stepped into the apartment and froze for a moment.
The place looked different—tidied up, candles lit faintly on the shelf, and a vase of fresh flowers standing on the table.
"Alex…" she whispered, almost startled. "You did all this?"
He scratched the back of his neck, looking boyish for a man who carried the weight of investigations on his shoulders.
"I thought maybe you deserved something pretty. You've been through too much darkness lately."
Before she could respond, he handed her the flowers he had been hiding behind his back. Lilies—white, pure, and soft in her hands.
Elena blinked, unsure of what to say. Her lips trembled before she forced a small smile. "You didn't have to."
"I wanted to." His eyes lingered on her face longer than they should have, and for a moment, silence stretched between them, heavy but strangely comforting.
He gestured to the couch. "Sit. I'll get us some water."
She sat, carefully placing the flowers on her lap, her fingers brushing the petals.
When Alex returned, he placed two glasses on the table and leaned forward. His voice dropped lower, more serious.
"I've been digging," he said. "Your aunt's case isn't simple, Elena. Every file I pull leads to another dead end.
It feels like she was taken by someone with… power. Someone with reach. Hospitals, transfers, movements—it's too clean. Too deliberate."
Her throat tightened. "So… what does that mean? That she's gone?" Elena asked but she couldn't tell Alex she knew who took her aunt.
"Damian Volkov was hiding her aunt, of course Damian is so smart but she thought with Alex's help as an investigator she might be able to find her but no she was wrong"
"No." His voice was firm, sharp. "It means whoever took her doesn't want her to be found. But I don't give up easily."
He looked straight at her, determination burning in his eyes. "I promise you—I'll find her."
Her lips parted, her eyes stung, but before tears could fall, Alex reached forward, his hand brushing over hers.
"Elena…" His voice softened, breaking away from business. "You know, it's not just your aunt anymore.
I—" He hesitated, then leaned closer, his face inches from hers. "I can't stop thinking about you."
Elena's breath caught. She pulled her hand back quickly, shaking her head. "Alex…"
He leaned even closer, his intent clear now. "A kiss."
"No." She whispered firmly, her body shifting away.
"I—I can't." Her heart hammered in her chest, guilt and fear mixing inside her.
Damian's face flashed in her mind, his piercing eyes, his possessive grip. She couldn't.
And then—
The door slammed open.
Elena jumped to her feet, her flowers falling to the floor. Heavy footsteps echoed as three huge men in black suits barged into the apartment.
Their faces were blank, their presence suffocating.
"Who the hell are you?" Alex barked, immediately moving in front of Elena, shielding her with his body.
One of the men smirked, his voice low and taunting. "We're here for Miss Elena."
"You're not taking her anywhere but how do you know her name!" Alex growled, shoving Elena behind him, his fists clenched.
The first man moved fast, swinging at Alex, who ducked and landed a punch to his jaw. Elena screamed, covering her mouth as the apartment erupted into chaos.
Alex fought like a man possessed, landing another blow, kicking one back against the table, but they were too many—too big.
Another grabbed him by the arm, twisting it painfully. Alex let out a grunt, trying to shake free, but a fist crashed into his stomach, knocking the air from his lungs.
"Alex!" Elena cried, reaching forward, but a strong hand seized her wrist, yanking her back.
"No! Let me go!" she screamed, thrashing violently, but the man's grip was iron.
Alex's eyes locked onto hers even as he was shoved down, blood trickling from his lip.
Her heart hammered as tears streamed down her face. "Damian!"
He tried to rise, but another man kicked him hard, slamming him back down. His hand reached out for her, desperation in his eyes. "Elena!"
The last thing she saw before being dragged out was Alex struggling against two men, his face twisted in pain and fury, blood dripping down his chin.
Then the door slammed shut behind her.