Leo’s POV
The knife felt steady in my hand, the blade catching the dim light of the warehouse as I turned it over. It was a quiet moment, rare and fleeting, but it wouldn’t last. They never did.
I stared at the weapon like it held answers, though I knew better by now. A man like me didn’t find answers in steel and blood—we found purpose. And sometimes, even that felt hollow.
“You’re late.”
Viktor’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and unyielding. I looked up as he strode into the room, his presence as commanding as ever. He didn’t stop moving until he was standing directly in front of me, his gaze cold and assessing.
“I wasn’t aware we were on a schedule,” I said, sliding the knife into its sheath and standing to meet his eyes.
“Everything’s a schedule,” he replied. “And yours ju
