Chapter 7 - The Syndicate's Whisper
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Weeks turned into a month, and the physical therapy sessions became the quiet anchor of Victor’s day. The violent panic attacks that usually accompanied touch began to recede, replaced by a profound, simmering tension whenever Aliyah’s hands were on him.
But outside the sanctuary of the medical room, the Russian Syndicate was growing restless.
Aliyah was walking down the main hallway toward the kitchen when she heard raised voices coming from Victor’s study. The heavy oak doors were cracked open just an inch.
"You are acting weak, Victor," a harsh, accented voice barked.
Aliyah stopped, holding her breath. She recognized the voice. It belonged to Mikhail, Victor’s ruthless underboss.
"My actions are none of your concern, Mikhail," Victor’s voice replied, lethally calm and devoid of the vulnerability she saw during their sessions.
"When you bring a civilian into the fortress, it becomes my concern," Mikhail snarled. "The Romanov faction is testing our borders in the south. They hear rumors that the great Malenkov has taken a pet. A fragile little nursing student. They think you are distracted. They think you are vulnerable."
"Let them think what they want," Victor warned. "If Romanov steps onto my territory, I will crush his skull. And if you ever refer to Aliyah as a pet again, I will cut out your tongue."
Aliyah’s heart hammered against her ribs. She pressed her back against the cold stone wall of the corridor. She had tried so hard to pretend that this was just a job, that she was just a nurse treating a wealthy patient. But the reality of his world was violent, bloody, and closing in fast.
"She is a liability, Victor," Mikhail pushed, entirely fearless. "Sooner or later, someone will use her to get to you. You survived the last twelve years because you had no weaknesses. You are building one."
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"She is not a weakness," Victor said, and the absolute, terrifying devotion in his voice made Aliyah’s breath catch. "She is the only reason I am still human. Now get out of my office."
Heavy footsteps approached the door. Aliyah scrambled silently away, rushing to the kitchen before Mikhail could catch her eavesdropping, her mind racing with the realization that simply existing in Victor’s house put a target on her back.
