Mikhail
A solemn Maria looks past them toward the spiral stairs. Then, she turns and walks toward the window, staring at the reflection of her ruined gown. Beautiful, but at the same time melancholic ... like a dream destroyed.
"Maria." I speak gently as I close the office door. "Mercy must stay here."
She turns to face me. "I agree, Mikhail. And probably for the same reasons. The Bratvas will blame the Lanzzare, even though they weren't involved. And the only way to keep things from escalating will depend on my cousin being here. I'm not the naïve girl you saved all those months ago, remember?"
I glance over at Pavel, who shoots me a surprised look. I conceal my emotions behind an indifferent mask. I had expected an argument—Maria pleading for her cousin's release and using herself as
