The silence between them stretched unbearably.
Makayla stood rigid, her back turned to Mikhail, her body trembling with barely contained emotions. She wasn’t speaking to him. Hadn’t spoken to him since Gino had disappeared into the night.
Mikhail exhaled slowly, his hands still clenched at his sides. He knew she was furious. He knew she felt betrayed. But he had done what needed to be done.
And yet, as he stood there, watching the way her shoulders rose and fell with unsteady breaths, something inside him twisted.
Finally, he broke the silence.
“You know this was the only way.”
Makayla’s breath hitched, but she didn’t turn around.
Mikhail took a small step forward.
“He was dangerous,” he continued, his voice carefully controlled. “You saw what he did.”
Makayla’s fists tightened at
