Chapter 12 - THE CONFRONTATION
That night, Mikhail brought me back to his estate.
Misha was already asleep under the watchful eye of armed guards in the upper residential wing.
Mikhail ensured I was checked by his personal doctor.
Apart from a few small scratches and a bad cough from the tear gas, I was uninjured.
He wrapped me in a soft blanket and gave me a warm cup of tea in his private study.
He sat across from me at his grand oak desk.
"You were brave tonight," he said softly, watching me closely.
"I hit a man with a frying pan," I gave a weak, breathless laugh.
"My father would have been proud."
Mikhail smiled faintly, though his eyes remained dark with lingering anger.
"Liam O'Connor has crossed a line," Mikhail said, standing up.
"He attacked my family."
"Your family?" I asked, looking up.
Mikhail stopped, looking down at me with intense clarity.
"Yes, Elena," he said quietly.
"You are family now."
"Whether you realized it or not..."
"The moment you took care of my son, you became part of my life."
"And tonight... O'Connor tried to harm you."
"Where are you going?" I asked, seeing him pick up his heavy coat.
"I am going to finish this war," Mikhail replied simply.
"Mikhail, please... it's dangerous!" I pleaded, standing up and dropping the blanket.
"Don't go out there!"
Mikhail walked over, taking both of my hands in his.
"If I do not end this tonight, he will come back," Mikhail explained gently.
"He will hunt you."
"He will hunt Misha."
"A leader must eliminate threats to those he loves."
"I must go, Elena."
He raised my hands and gently kissed my knuckles.
"Wait for me here," he whispered.
"I will return before sunrise."
He turned and walked out of the study.
I heard the heavy double doors close behind him.
Outside, the sound of multiple luxury SUV engines revved into motion.
The syndicate was going to war.
I sat near the window of the study, staring out into the dark, rainy night.
Hours ticked by painfully slow.
One in the morning.
Two in the morning.
Three in the morning.
I couldn't sleep.
I stayed awake, praying for his safe return.
I realized then, with absolute certainty, how deeply I had fallen in love with him.
I didn't care about his empire, his money, or his violent reputation.
I cared about the man who loved his son.
The man who had brought my grandfather's key back to me.
May you like
The man who was currently risking his life to keep me safe.
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