Beneath the Surface

Chapter 43

Y/N sat across from the rival leader, keeping her expression neutral despite the ridiculous demands that had been laid out before her. The Sokolovs, once a minor nuisance, had gotten cocky. Their leader—a man barely in his thirties, eager to prove himself—had thrown out demands that bordered on absurdity. Control over certain shipping routes, access to high-level contacts, a seat at the table Y/N's family had dominated for decades.

It was laughable.

Yet, here they were, sitting in a dimly lit room in a nondescript building in the heart of Russia, pretending as though this man had any real leverage. Y/N let him finish, keeping her eyes locked on his, even as her blood simmered beneath the surface.

"You must be joking," Y/N finally said, her voice calm but laced with ice.

The leader of the Sokolovs—Alexei—smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You underestimate us, Y/N. Times are changing, and your family isn't the only one with influence anymore. We could work together, or—"

"Or what?" Y/N cut him off, her voice sharpening. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze never wavering. "You'll continue to steal from me? You'll continue to test my patience? Let me be very clear, Alexei. The only reason you're sitting here right now, breathing, is because I allowed it. Push me any further, and I will end your little operation before you even realize what happened."

Alexei's smile faltered slightly, though he quickly recovered. "You talk a big game, but we're not afraid of you."

Y/N stood up slowly, straightening her jacket as she spoke. "You should be."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, Viktor at her side. The tension in the air was palpable, but Y/N didn't flinch. She had been in these situations before—men like Alexei were always the same. They wanted power, respect, but they didn't understand the weight that came with it. They played games, but Y/N didn't. Not when it came to her empire.

As they stepped outside into the cold Russian air, Viktor glanced at her. "Do you think he'll take the hint?"

Y/N smirked, though there was no humor in her eyes. "No. He's too arrogant for that."

Viktor nodded, his expression grim. "Should we prepare for retaliation?"

"Of course," Y/N replied, her voice low. "He'll make a move. But we'll be ready."

———

Lizzie paced the living room, her nerves buzzing with every passing second. The house was quiet, too quiet, and the weight of the unknown pressed heavily on her chest. She had always known Y/N's world was different—darker—but now, being in the middle of it, she felt the sharp edge of it pressing against her. It was real, terrifyingly so.

She paused by the window, peeking outside at the heavily armed guards patrolling the perimeter. They were like shadows, silent and vigilant, but even with their presence, Lizzie couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her gut.

Then, the sound of the front door opening caught her attention. Her heart leapt into her throat, and without thinking, she bolted toward the entrance. As soon as she saw Y/N, relief flooded her system. Her emotions took over, and before Y/N could fully step inside, Lizzie threw herself into her arms, wrapping her arms tightly around her neck.

Y/N stumbled slightly, surprised by the force of Lizzie's embrace, but she immediately wrapped her arms around Lizzie, holding her close. She could feel the tension in Lizzie's body, the way she clung to her like a lifeline. Y/N buried her face in Lizzie's hair, inhaling the familiar scent, and for a moment, the weight of her world seemed to lift.

"I was so worried," Lizzie whispered, her voice shaky against Y/N's neck.

"I'm here," Y/N murmured, her lips brushing against Lizzie's temple. "I'm safe."