Chapter 8 - Natalia Whispers A Deadly Secret In The Shadows Of The Russian Embassy
Two nights later, the battlefield shifted to the neutral, high-security halls of the Russian Consulate in Geneva.
Victor had called an emergency tribunal of underworld syndicate leaders to settle the dispute following the airport shootout. Mikhail claimed Dominic had initiated unprovoked violence, while Dominic stood accused of breaking international territory treaties.
I walked beside Dominic through the opulent marble corridors of the consulate, flanked by Russian diplomatic guards. Dominic wore a midnight-blue bespoke suit, his posture radiating lethal arrogance, but beneath his coat, his hand remained hovering an inch from his concealed weapon.
"Remember," I whispered in English as we approached the grand salon, "under old Russian syndicate law, if you invoke the Article of Blood Redress, Mikhail cannot speak—he must either fight you in single combat or submit his financial records for audit."
Dominic glanced down at me, a dangerous, adoring smirk playing on his lips. "Have I mentioned lately that you are the most terrifyingly brilliant woman on this planet?"
"Save the flattery for after we survive the meeting, Dominic."
Inside the grand chamber, Victor sat at the head of a long mahogany conference table, flanked by twelve syndicate bosses from across Eastern Europe. Mikhail sat on the left, his arm in a sling from our airport clash, glaring at us with murderous intent.
Natalia sat on the right, looking regal in a high-necked black velvet dress, her face an unreadable porcelain mask.
"Dominic Pierce," Victor spoke in formal Russian. “You bring an armed war to Swiss soil. Explain yourself before this council votes to seize your fleet.”
Dominic didn't wait for a translation. He stepped forward, slammed his heavy cryptographic ledger onto the center of the table, and looked directly at Mikhail.
I stepped up beside him and delivered Dominic’s words in flawless, booming diplomatic Russian:
“We invoke the Article of Blood Redress against Mikhail Volkov and the memory of Arthur Pierce. We hold proof that the Volkov family used illegal biological contraband—stolen from BioVance Laboratories—to poison legitimate American researchers and frame Pierce Maritime. If this council protects a dishonorable poisoner, Pierce Maritime will cut all maritime fuel supply lines to the Black Sea within twenty-four hours.”
The council erupted into furious shouting. Several older oligarchs stood up, slamming their fists onto the table, demanding to see the files.
Mikhail turned pale, reaching beneath his jacket.
"Silence!" Victor roared, standing up and striking the table with his heavy signet ring.
During the explosive chaos, Natalia smoothly stood up and walked toward the side refreshment table, catching my eye with an urgent tilt of her head.
I quietly slipped away from the table, stepping into the shadowed alcove near the velvet curtains where Natalia was pouring tea.
"You have ten seconds before Mikhail’s men realize I’m talking to you," Natalia whispered in rapid Russian, her voice trembling with genuine fear. "Victor isn't in control anymore. Mikhail has allied with a rogue faction inside the CIA—the same faction that fired you and stole your father’s research."
My blood ran cold. "Who is leading them?"
"Director Hayes," Natalia breathed, naming the very deputy director who had revoked my security clearance in Washington. "They have placed a tactical kill team at the Monte Carlo Grand Casino where Dominic is scheduled to sign the final maritime transfer tomorrow night. They don't want the ships, Elena—they want Dominic dead and you in a black site so you can never reveal the BioVance ledger."
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Natalia grabbed my wrist, pressing a small silver memory drive into my palm.
"This contains the private satellite feeds and audio intercepts proving Hayes’s treason," Natalia said urgently. "Save Dominic, Elena. If he dies, we all become Mikhail’s slaves."
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