His Lisichka [MXM]

46 - Realization.

Emily woke abruptly, her senses muddled, as a faint rumbling noise filled the dimly lit room.

Blinking to clear her vision, she groaned softly and turned her head. Beside her, Anna squirmed against the ropes binding her to a wooden chair, her movements frantic but futile.

Emily tried to speak, but her lips wouldn't part. Panic set in as she realized her mouth was sealed with duct tape, rendering her mute.

"Stop moving," a deep, commanding voice with a thick Russian accent boomed from the shadows. Anna froze immediately, her chest heaving as tears welled in her eyes.

Emily's gaze darted toward the source of the voice. Her heart sank when she saw three men dressed in black, their menacing presence filling the room.

The one in the center, with a jagged scar slashing across his face, exuded authority. She shuddered, but not because of his words—she knew this had nothing to do with Ivan. Despite his own criminal ties, Ivan wouldn't have allowed this.

The scarred man stepped closer, his eyes cold and predatory.

"Emily Blake, da?" he asked, his accent thick as he crouched before her. His piercing gaze bore into hers as she instinctively leaned back, but the chair held her firmly in place.

"You're beautiful, no?" he mused, his tone unsettlingly soft. His hand extended, and with deliberate slowness, he brushed a strand of hair from her face. Emily flinched, her wide eyes brimming with fear.

The man straightened, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips.

"Your grandmother owes us money," he said bluntly. "I told her to pay me back in Greece, but instead, the сука ran off to reunite with her precious family." His words were laced with disdain, his tone growing harsher.

Emily's breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps as she cast a glance at Anna. Her girlfriend sat petrified, trembling in silence, her wide eyes darting around the room.

"You see," the man continued, pacing slowly, "she thought she'd be safe. After all, Ivan Mikhailov—well-renowned in our line of work—was romantically involved with her son. And she was right, to a point. We backed off for a while. Between Ivan's influence, your rich grandfather's resources, and their top-tier security, it wasn't worth the trouble." He stopped and turned, his cruel eyes gleaming.

"But the сука still owes us."

His lips twisted into a grin as he added, "Kidnapping your father would have been ideal, but Ivan keeps a close watch on him. Always has. And as for you? He had people on you too, but—" He chuckled darkly.