“Well,” I say flatly, “that’s fucking why.”
Dimitri’s scowl deepens. Roman’s expression sharpens. Lev doesn’t move at all.
I lay it out without embellishment. Facts only. Clean. Brutal.
Raelyn Hart carries the remaining fragments of the file—scattered, disguised, unknowingly embedded into her academic work. Her papers. Her research. Her citations. A perfect Trojan horse. Rival syndicates have been tracking her movements for weeks. Possibly months.
“She’s already compromised,” I finish. “Whether she knows it or not.”
Roman exhales slowly. “We agree the threat is real.”
“But,” Dimitri adds, eyes narrowing, “since when do we solve intelligence leaks with weddings?”
That lands.
Roman’s gaze pins me. “Why a marriage?”
Lev’s voice follows, softer—but more dangerous. “What aren’t you saying?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I stand straight, making sure to hold all their gazes. “How did you all manage to get married? Why are you all acting so fucking shocked about this?”
They have the effrontery to look embarrassed. Fucking nosy bastards.
“Well…marriage is serious business,” Lev says. “No matter what, the Rusnaks are loyal. If you marry her, whether you hate her or not, you owe her loyalty.”
“This is business,” I say evenly. “Marriage creates absolute jurisdiction. No loopholes. No third-party claims. No ‘extraction’ attempts from rivals without starting a war.”
Roman tilts his head. “You could assign her to a secure site.”
“She could disappear,” Dimitri says. “Plenty of ways.”
I shake my head once. “Containment without attachment makes her a prize. A bargaining chip.”
Lev’s eyes flick to the surveillance feed still running in the corner—Raelyn’s room, her pacing form barely visible.
I turn around and flip the feed off, uncomfortable at the thought of someone else, even if he’s my brother, watching her.
“And attachment,” Lev says quietly, “makes her untouchable.”
I meet his gaze. “It makes her mine.”
The room stills.
Roman studies me for a long moment. “You’re tying her to yourself.”
“Yes.”
“To your enemies.”
“Yes.”
“To your vulnerabilities,” Dimitri says.
I don’t answer that one.
Roman’s voice drops. “And what are you hiding, Konstantin?”
The truth presses hard against my ribs.