Updated Apr 20, 2026 • ~3 min read
Chapter 15: Anya Sokolova
Nadia
The encrypted video call from Viktor comes three days after Riot’s confession, and Nadia’s blood goes cold the moment his face fills her laptop screen.
“Anya Sokolova,” he says, using her birth name like a weapon. “It’s been a long time.”
“My name is Nadia Volkov.” She keeps her voice steady despite the fear clawing up her throat. “And whatever you have to say, say it quickly before I hang up and block this number.”
“Such fire. Your father had that same defiance.” Viktor smiles, and it’s the smile of a predator who knows he’s already won. “I have a proposal for you.”
“I’m not interested in anything you have to say—”
“Turn yourself in within twenty-four hours, and I give you my word that everyone else lives.” He slides a piece of paper closer to the camera, and Nadia’s heart stops. It’s a list—names and addresses and current locations. “Claire Jamison, your assistant. Marcus Chen. Sixteen employees at your downtown office. That coffee shop you frequented before you went into hiding. So many targets, Anya. So many innocent people who will die because you refuse to face me.”
“You’re bluffing—”
“Am I?” He holds up a phone showing a live feed of Claire leaving Nadia’s office building, completely unaware she’s being watched. “Twenty-four hours. You know how to find me. Come alone, unarmed, and I’ll make it quick. Refuse, and I start with the people you care about.”
The feed cuts before Nadia can respond, and she’s left staring at a blank screen with her heart hammering and her mind racing through impossible calculations.
Riot appears in the doorway—he must have been listening from the other room. “You’re not going.”
“He’s going to kill them.” Nadia’s hands are shaking as she closes her laptop. “Claire, Marcus, everyone. If I don’t—”
“If you DO go, you’ll die, and then he’ll kill them anyway because Viktor doesn’t keep his word.” Riot crosses to her, urgent and fierce. “This is a trap, Nadia. You know it’s a trap.”
“So what’s the alternative? Let him murder innocent people because I’m too afraid to face him?”
“The alternative is we end this my way. With planning and backup and you wearing a wire instead of walking in there like a fucking sacrifice.”
Nadia wants to believe him, wants to trust that there’s a way through this that doesn’t end with her dead. But all she can think about is Claire’s face on that video feed, completely unaware that a target’s been painted on her back.
“I have to go,” she says quietly. “I can’t let him hurt them.”
“Then we do it together. We plan this properly, we assemble a team, and we take Viktor down in a way that doesn’t get you killed.” Riot grabs her shoulders, forces her to look at him. “Trust me. Please. Let me protect you.”
But Nadia’s already made up her mind—she’s going to save the people Viktor threatened, even if it costs her everything.
She just hasn’t figured out how to tell Riot that yet.
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