Chapter 23

Jonathan Kline, the newest addition to my team, is proving to be an interesting character. He’s sharp, a quick study that’s impressive. There’s a certain ambition in his eyes, a gleam that speaks of aspirations beyond being an assistant.

It’s a trait I recognize and respect, reminding me of myself in my earlier days. I plan to keep a close watch on him; talent like his could be invaluable but being overly ambitious can lead to recklessness.

As I step into my office, I immediately notice Julie’s absence. She had mentioned something about an extended lunch, but the specifics were lost in the rush of the day’s activities. It’s unusual for her to be away this long, and a part of me is curious about what she’s up to.

Over the past weeks, since our return from Bora Bora, I’ve found myself increasingly attuned to her comings and goings, a development that would have surprised me at one point but now comes naturally.

My thoughts are interrupted by a soft knock on the door, and Jonathan steps in. ‘Mr. Stepanov, I’ve organized the files for the Winford project as you requested. Is there anything else you need?’

‘Good work, Jonathan,’ I say, glancing over the neatly arranged files. ‘Keep an eye on that account; it’s a key project for us. I want regular updates.’

‘Understood, sir,’ Jonathan replies, his eagerness evident. ‘I won’t let you down.’

As he leaves I lean back in my chair, my mind drifting back to Julie. Her extended lunch is out of character, and an inexplicable sense of unease begins to gnaw at me. I’ve become accustomed to her presence, her energy. I am unsettled when she is not around.

I decide to give her a call to check-in and make sure she’s alright. The phone rings and I wait, expecting her cheerful voice to greet me. But it goes to voicemail, and I’m left with a lingering sense of disquiet.

Something doesn’t feel right. It’s a feeling I can’t shake, a sense that something is amiss. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, they’ve kept me alive and successful in a world where a moment’s hesitation can mean disaster.

I stand up, my decision made. I’m going to find my wife, to make sure she’s not in trouble. The thought of her in any kind of distress is unacceptable, a risk I’m not willing to take.

The moment the office door swings open without a knock, I expect to see Julie, her usual spontaneous entrance accompanied by a bright smile. But what greets me instead causes the blood in my veins to turn to ice. Boris stands there, Julie with him, his hand gripping her arm with a possessiveness that sends a surge of fury through me. Sergei looms behind him, an ever-menacing presence.

Julie’s expression is a mix of fear and defiance, a clear indication that she’s been coerced into this situation. The sight of her in distress, at the mercy of these men, ignites a protective rage within me, a primal urge to shield her from harm.

Before I can react, Jonathan bursts into the room, his face etched with concern. ‘Mr. Stepanov, do you need me to call security?’ he asks, his eyes darting between me and the unwelcome intruders.

Boris responds before I can. ‘There is no need for that, young man. We’re just here for a friendly chat with Mr. Stepanov.’

The casualness of his tone, the audacity to invade my space and threaten my wife, fuels my anger. I give Jonathan a nod, a silent signal to leave but stay alert. Jonathan hesitates for a split second, his gaze shifting from me to Julie, then back to the intruders. With a final wary look, he steps out of the room, but his departure is reluctant, a clear indication that he’s ready to act if needed.

As soon as the door closes, the room becomes a charged arena, the tension stifling. Boris’ smirk is infuriating, but it’s Julie’s well-being that’s my primary concern. I take a step forward, my posture controlled yet imposing, my eyes fixed on Boris.

‘Get your fucking hands off of my wife,” I growl, my voice cold and steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Julie remains silent, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. There’s a soundless plea in her gaze, one of fear but also trust. She knows I won’t let anything happen to her, and that unspoken understanding solidifies my resolve.

Boris’ eyes flicker with amusement, enjoying the control he believes he has. ‘We’ll get to that, Ivan. But first, let’s make sure we understand each other. Your lovely wife here,’ he tightens his grip on Julie’s arm, ‘is a reminder of what’s at stake.’

Julie, with a sudden burst of defiance, wrenches her arm from Boris’ grip and rushes to my side. Her proximity brings a measure of relief, yet the fear in her eyes, underlined by a burning anger, is a stark reminder of the danger we’re in. A sick feeling overcomes me as I realize how vulnerable we are.

‘Are you alright?’ I ask, my voice laced with concern as I scan her for any signs of harm. She nods, her eyes turbulent, a storm of emotions swirling within them. The anger seems to outweigh her fear, and it’s directed as much at me as it is at Boris.

‘What the hell is going on, Ivan?’ Julie demands, stepping back from me. The distance she puts between us stings more than I care to admit, a physical manifestation of the growing rift this situation has caused.

I don’t have an immediate answer for her. My focus shifts back to Boris, the instigator of this chaos. ‘Who the fuck do you think you are?’ I growl, the anger in my voice barely contained.

He seems unfazed by my hostility, his expression one of smug satisfaction. ‘Clearly, you didn’t grasp the seriousness of the business proposition I offered you,’ he says, his tone casual but laced with menace. ‘However, I believe you now understand exactly how serious it is.’

His words hang in the air, a blatant threat causing my spine to stiffen. This isn’t just a simple power play; it’s a calculated move to drag me back into a world I’ve fought hard to leave behind.

I keep my gaze locked on Boris, my mind racing for a solution. Julie’s safety is paramount, and I need to navigate this situation carefully. Bori’s presence here, his boldness in confronting me at my office, is a clear sign that he’s not going to back down easily.

‘I understood your offer, Boris,’ I say, maintaining a steady voice. ‘But I’ll say it again, I’m not interested. I left that life behind. I’ve told you that multiple times already.’

His smirk widens, a predator enjoying the hunt. ‘That’s where you’re wrong, Ivan. You don’t get to decide whether or not you can leave that life. It’s a part of you, and now,’ he glances at Julie, ‘it’s a part of your wife’s life too.’

The implied threat to Julie nearly drives me to do something stupid. I step closer to her, wanting to shield her from whatever Boris has planned. Julie’s presence here, used as a pawn in Boris’ game, changes everything. I have to tread carefully, but I’m not going to let him use her to control me.

‘You’re playing a dangerous game, Boris,’ I warn, my voice low and full of venom.

He chuckles, clearly enjoying the upper hand. ‘I’ve always enjoyed a good game, Ivan. Especially when the stakes are high. And right now, they couldn’t be higher.’

Julie’s confusion is tangible, her voice tinged with fear. ‘What proposition? And what life did you leave behind?’ she asks, her words aimed at me but her eyes never leaving Boris.

Boris’ response is swift and sharp, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. ‘Keeping secrets from your woman, Ivan?” he tsks.

‘Julie, stay out of this,’ I say, my voice firmer than I intended. I see the hurt flash in her eyes, and I know I’m going to pay for those words later, but right now, her safety is my priority.

Without another word, Boris strides over to my desk and places an envelope on the surface. It appears thick and heavy with the weight of whatever instructions lie within. ‘Everything you need to know is in there,’ he says, his tone casual but his eyes cold. ‘The Bratva will compensate you well for this job.’

The mention of the Bratva confirms my worst fear—that Boris is here to drag me back into a world I thought I had escaped. The Bratva is not an organization you simply walk away from, and their confirmed involvement complicates things further.

Julie remains silent, the shock of Boris’ words still lingering. I can sense her unease, her fear, and it fuels my resolve to protect her from whatever he has planned.

My hand trembles with barely contained rage as I reach for the envelope, every muscle in my body coiled tight, ready to launch it back at Boris with all the contempt I feel. But Boris, perceptive and calculating, senses my intention and halts me with a chilling warning.

‘Think carefully before you act, Ivan,’ he says, his voice laced with menace. His eyes shift to Julie, and the leer that he gives her makes my blood boil. ‘The Bratva knows what you value now,’ he adds, his words like a knife twisting in my gut.

The implication is clear and terrifying. They know about Julie, about her importance to me, and they’re not above using her as leverage. It’s a game of power and control, and Boris holds the cards.

His next words are a chilling reminder of the stakes. ‘Be wise, my friend. Consider the job because the alternative…’ He lets the threat hang in the air, an unspoken but understood promise of violence and ugliness.

With that, Boris and Sergei turn and leave my office, their departure leaving heavy implications in their wake. The door closes with a soft click, but the echo of their threat reverberates through the room.

I stand there, envelope in hand, my blood boiling, mind racing. The danger is real and immediate, not just for me but for Julie as well. The Bratva’s reach is long, their methods ruthless. I’ve spent years building a life away from their influence, but now they’ve managed to pull me back in, and Julie is caught in the crossfire.