Page 111 of Stolen Empire
"I need someone to get close, check the perimeter, and report back on any movement. I need to know if she’s breathing."
Gavriil nods and pulls out his phone.
He makes two calls and speaks in clipped tones.
When he finishes, he says, "Two men are en route. They’ll be in position in fifteen minutes."
"Good."
I move to the window and stare out at the estate grounds.
"Tell them to stay quiet. They should observe only and not engage. I just need to know what’s happening in there."
"Understood."
The door opens behind me.
I turn to see Rolan enter.
His expression shows concern, and I'm not sure what to say to him.
As Pakhan, he could see this as a liability, but he moves to the table without a word and studies the screens.
He takes in the whole situation before he speaks.
"Gavriil filled me in," he says. "The girl’s wire's dead. She hasn’t moved in over thirty minutes."
"I’m working on it," I tell him, but I feel on edge.
I don’t like having to explain myself to my brother.
"I can see that."
He leans against the table and crosses his arms.
My brother is a hard man, just like our father.
But after seeing him with his wife, I know he understands what a woman means to a man.
"What do you need from me?"
The offer catches me off guard.
There’s no judgment, no lecture, just support.
"I need to know she’s alive," I say.
"I need to know this is just part of their test and not…" I can’t finish the sentence because my chest knots up.
Rolan nods.
"You’ve tied yourself to this girl more than you should have for an informant."
He's quieter, but not softer.
It's like he's assessing me to help me make the best decision.
"Yes."
