We stepped out of the mansion, the heavy doors closing behind us with a finality that felt like the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
The evening air was cool, the sky painted in hues of gold and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. The estate's grounds stretched out before us, the grandeur of Nickolai's fortress now feeling like a distant memory rather than a threat.
And there, waiting near the armored SUVs, stood Polina and the rest of Natalya's most trusted guards. Their postures were rigid, their eyes sharp, but there was a relief in their expressions—like they'd been holding their breath and could finally exhale.
Polina, in particular, stood out, her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze flicking between Natalya and me with a mix of curiosity and respect.
She stepped forward as we approached, her voice low but clear. "Boss," she said, nodding to Natalya before her eyes settled on me.
