KAIREN:
The sharp, incessant buzz of my alarm yanked me out of a thin, restless sleep. I slapped at it like it was a personal enemy, but it kept shrilling until I threw the covers back and dragged myself upright.
My head throbbed, the weight of yesterday and the day before that, pressing against my temples. I sat there for a minute, elbows on my knees, staring at the floor like it might swallow me whole. But the world didn't care. Dimitri's empire didn't wait for anyone.
I forced myself up, shedding my clothes as I moved through the motions of the morning: hot shower to wake myself up, cold water on my face to force clarity into my eyes, shaving carefully so the blade wouldn't slip and leave a mark my father could twist into a lecture.
The tie was a struggle. I stood in front of the mirror, knotting and adjusting, tightening it too much, loosening it, tightening again. My reflection smirked back, a poor imitation of composure.
By the time I left my room, my jacket crisp and shoulders squared, my nerves were buzzing low under my skin. And of course, the first thing I saw when I stepped into the hallway was him.
Viktor.
He wasn't in his usual black-on-black combat-ready outfit today. Instead, he was dressed formally, like the other guards in their discreet dark suits but his broad shoulders, his tall frame, his cold, knowing smirk, everything about him screamed that he wasn't like them. He stood out. The subtle bulge of muscle under his sleeves, the way his lips curved at the edges in that infuriating, unreadable expression.
I stopped, glaring. For one second, my eyes lingered on his mouth, the way the morning light caught the sharp cut of his jawline. He noticed. Of course he noticed.
His smirk deepened. "Morning, sir," he drawled, voice smooth as silk.
I rolled my eyes, scowling. "Why can't you drop dead somewhere?"
He chuckled softly, pulling a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it with an effortless flick of his lighter. He exhaled smoke like a damn model, looking infuriatingly perfect. "You'll have to try harder than cursing at me, sir," he said lazily, blowing a thin stream of smoke into the air.
As I passed him, the guards flanking the hallway bowed slightly. Viktor slid into his usual place, lounging at the front, legs spread like he owned the corridor. One of the head guards, Kiril, I think leaned in and muttered to him, "You know you can't smoke in the car."
Viktor didn't reply. He simply gave Kiril a long, slow look, one that said you can tell me, but you sure as hell can't stop me. Kiril went silent. My pulse jumped unexpectedly. Was it fear? Or something else?
I clicked my tongue sharply, irritated with both of them and myself. We filed out to the waiting convoy.
The ride to the K-S Continental headquarters was its usual blur of tinted windows and city streets. But the second the car door opened, I was greeted by a wave of sycophants.
"Kairen-sama! We're so honored to welcome you this morning!"
"We've arranged for a special briefing in the executive lounge, if you'll follow us!"
"The press will be briefed per your request, of course, and—"
The head of the pack, a portly man named Andrei, head of operations or something equally tiresome, pressed forward, his forehead shining with sweat, his voice dripping false charm. "Mr. Kurov-Shin, we've streamlined our departments under your direction: over twelve hundred staff members, across all sectors, and we've seen a marked increase in productivity. Naturally, I've overseen every—"
I stopped mid-step, turning slowly to face him. The group fell silent, Andrei's smile faltering.
I gave him a slow, dangerous smile, brushing a nonexistent speck of lint from my sleeve. "Calm your sweaty balls, Andrei. I'm not here to steal your glory," I said sweetly. "Or chase you off your little throne."
The silence that followed was sharp enough to slice through the air. Behind me, Viktor let out a quiet, amused chuckle. My glare snapped to him, but he was already glancing away, pretending disinterest, the corner of his mouth twitching.
I clicked my tongue, biting back the flush of heat rising in my cheeks. "Let's move," I said, stepping forward, forcing Andrei and the others to scramble after me.
I sat behind the wide mahogany desk in my new office, my fingers drumming against the polished surface as my assistant rattled off a list of updates I was half-listening to.
"Kairen—sir—the quarterly projections for K-S Continental's European branch have been finalized. There's an internal audit underway, and the legal department flagged the new contracts with LinTech Solutions for review. Marketing's ready to launch the global rebranding, but they're waiting on final approval. Also, there's talk about the upcoming board meeting—some of the foreign investors have been steadily increasing their shares. It's likely they'll push for more influence, but it's all within acceptable parameters for now."
I stiffened at that. My gaze flicked up from the scattered reports to my assistant, Jace, young, well-groomed, and annoyingly composed despite my irritation. "Foreign investors?" I echoed, keeping my tone clipped.
He hesitated, tapping his digital tablet nervously. "Yes, but nothing alarming yet. I thought it best to let you handle it directly during the meeting. They've been discreet." His voice dipped, as if secrecy hung thick in the air.
I leaned back in my chair, feeling the weight of invisible strings tightening around me. My father's empire, felt less like a kingdom and more like a goddamn puppet theater. Everyone smiling, bowing, waiting for me to dance on command.
And Viktor, always fucking there, hovering like a silent executioner in a tailored suit. I could feel his gaze even when he wasn't in the room, heavy on my shoulders, reminding me I wasn't in control. Not really.
"Aisha hasn't sent an update yet, has she?" I muttered, my voice low.
Jace blinked, confused. "No, sir."
"Not you. Never mind," I snapped, waving him off. I tapped the encrypted messaging app on my phone, checking for any reply from Aisha, my secret ally in this suffocating arrangement. Nothing. No updates. No plan to get Viktor off my back.
I cursed under my breath, my anxiety tightening its grip like a cold hand around my throat. It was stupid but I'd handled worse. I'd faced boardrooms full of sharks and come out clean. But still, my pulse was erratic, my hands trembling just enough to make me clench them into fists.
I fished the small pill case out of my pocket, the one Aisha had pressed into my hand during our last whispered conversation. "In case you feel like the walls are closing in again," she'd said.
I popped two pills, dry swallowing them. They tasted bitter, but the sharp edge of panic dulled almost immediately. My shoulders loosened, my heartbeat slowed. I could breathe again.
I pressed my palms to my desk, standing slowly, pulling my jacket straight. The office felt clearer now with crisp edges, manageable noise. I nodded to Jace, my voice steadier. "I'll review the proposals and sign off on the LinTech contracts. Have legal on standby for any last-minute changes."
"Yes, sir. The board meeting is scheduled for ten minutes from now," Jace said, tapping his wristwatch.
"Good. I'll be there. Just need a moment to clear my head."
He nodded, gathering his tablet and backing out of the office, leaving me alone.