Beneath the Surface

Chapter 58

Y/N sat at her desk in the office, the faint glow of her laptop illuminating her face as she worked through another set of updates from Viktor. The room was quiet, save for the occasional click of her mouse and the gentle rustle of pages as Lizzie sat on the couch by the window, reading. The atmosphere between them was comfortable, but underneath it, both knew that something was brewing.

Lizzie's presence calmed Y/N. After the last few days of tension and their earlier conversation, she made sure to be around more, even as they remained in lockdown. Lizzie understood the weight of the situation, and although she couldn't be in the thick of it with Y/N, her quiet support from across the room spoke volumes.

Y/N occasionally glanced over at Lizzie, the sight of her curled up in the corner with a book in hand bringing a sense of normalcy to the otherwise chaotic situation. The office, filled with reports, calls, and plans, felt like a bubble—separate from the world that had forced them into this lockdown.

A knock at the door broke the silence. Viktor stepped in, his usual calm demeanor tinged with hesitation. His eyes flicked to Lizzie before focusing on Y/N.

Y/N set her pen down and leaned back in her chair. "It's okay, Viktor. Whatever it is, she can hear it."

Viktor raised an eyebrow, still slightly uncertain, but he nodded. "We've found him," he said, his voice even, though the gravity of his words hung in the air like a storm about to break.

Lizzie, startled by the sudden tension, put down her book and turned to face them. Her stomach tightened. She had heard these words before, but this time it felt different—final.

Y/N's expression hardened as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the desk. "Where?"

"He's with the Sokvolovs," Viktor continued, choosing his words carefully. "The network's been restored—no more threats there. But this guy... he's after revenge. It's for Alexei." He paused, allowing the name to sink in.

Lizzie didn't fully understand the implications of Alexei's name, but she could sense the tension in the room spike. She remained silent, her eyes shifting between Viktor and Y/N.

"Revenge," Y/N muttered, running a hand through her hair. "It always comes back to that, doesn't it?"

Viktor nodded solemnly. "He wants to make a name for himself, and he's not backing down. But we have him now. The question is... do you want to handle it?"

Y/N sat back in her chair, her eyes drifting towards Lizzie, who was now fully engaged, listening intently. Y/N had promised her—this would be the last time. Once this was dealt with, she'd be done for good. Lizzie needed to hear this decision, and Y/N wanted her to.

Lizzie met Y/N's gaze, the weight of the situation reflected in both of their eyes. Y/N gave a small nod before turning back to Viktor. "Yes," she said, her voice firm. "I'll handle it. This is the last time."

Lizzie's chest tightened as she processed Y/N's words. She knew what Y/N meant by "handling it," and as much as it pained her, she understood that Y/N had to close this chapter on her own terms.

"Are you sure?" Viktor asked, eyeing Y/N closely. "I can do it if you want."

Y/N shook her head, standing up from her chair. "No," she said, her voice steady. "This is something I need to finish."

———

The warehouse was dimly lit, its cold, concrete walls echoing with the soft drip of water from a broken pipe in the corner. The man tied to the chair in the center of the room was trembling, his face already showing the signs of Viktor's earlier "questioning." His eyes were wide with terror as Y/N entered the room, her footsteps slow and deliberate, her expression unreadable.