I tense up, my right hand forming a fist. "She's not lying."
"I didn't say she was," Victor says, raising his hands slightly. "But you need to understand something. Cornel Lupu is a good ally. He works closely with Father and other leaders in our world. He wouldn't overstep. It would mean suicide for him. He's been part of our network for years."
The words hit me like a slap, and I stare at him.
"What?"
"He's one of our father's most trusted associates," Victor says. "Matei even used him to set up the LA expansion. He's the one who secured the shipping routes to get our stuff to Ares Kastaris."
I stand abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor.
"So what, you're telling me our father's friend was involved in Elena's kidnapping?"
"I'm telling you that doesn't make sense," Victor says, his voice calm but firm. "Why would Lupu burn a decades-long alliance with our family to help the Volkovs traffic one woman?"
"Because he's a piece of shit," I say.
"Maybe," Victor says. "Or maybe Elena got the name wrong. She was drugged, Adrian. You said it yourself. Her memories are fractured."
I shake my head, rage simmering under my skin. "No. Not about this. She saw him. Heard the name. Multiple times."
Victor exhales slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay. Fine. Then pull up a picture of him online and show it to Elena. Make absolutely sure she has the right guy before we start burning bridges within our father's network."
I open my mouth to argue, but Victor cuts me off.
"Relax, brother," he says, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not saying she's wrong. I'm saying make sure. That's all."
Despite every muscle in my body tensing, I force myself to nod.
"Fine."
Victor lets out a breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Good."
I sit back down, rubbing a hand over my face, and the silence stretches between us.
Finally, I look up at him. "What are you doing here? What's going on?"
Victor pushes off the counter and gestures to the bag on the table.
"Stopped by to drop off some supplies," he says. "Food, coffee, a few other things. Figured you two could use it."
I glance at the bag, then back at him. "And?"
"And I have to head out to meet our pilot," Victor says. "We're finalizing the clearance papers with the local police, getting all of us out of this fucking place."
Relief floods through me, sharp and sudden. "When?"
"Soon," Victor says. "Probably another day at most. Just stay put. Don't leave. I'll come back for you when everything's ready."
I nod, and Victor moves toward the door, pulling his coat on.
He pauses at the threshold, glancing back at me.
"Twenty-four to forty-eight hours, and then we're back in Transylvania."
I look up.
"I'm never coming back here."