*Alessandro*
For the first time in many days, I had managed to slip away unnoticed. Considering the increased security that Tallon had been insisting on for everyone, this was a huge task in and of itself. It annoyed me to have to jump through hoops just to have a moment to myself, but I understood his fear.
After finding those bodies on our lawn, I was a bit fearful myself. The Russians were escalating their boldness, and it would only result in greater horrors for everyone. Of course, other than my second in command, nobody knew that I had been approached by the Russians. Although I hadn't yet agreed to work with them, I also hadn't given them a firm no. I was lying in wait to see what would work best for me.
I took a sip of bitter coffee and tried to hide my grimace as the hot liqu
