Chapter 23: Sofia

“Until the situation has been resolved, you’ll move back to the compound immediately.” Papa adds, “And you’ll also take a leave of absence from your job.”

“You can’t be serious!” I shake my head. “I’m not moving to the compound. And I won’t quit my job!”

Papa leans across his desk, rage filling every line of his face. A muscle ticks near the corner of his eye. He’s holding onto his temper by a thread.

I understand that his fury is fueled by fear. He’s livid that someone dared to lay hands on me and threatened his family. But still, I can’t be expected to stop living my life.

“Sofia,” his voice cracks like thunder in the silence of the office, “I will not allow anything else to happen to you. Do you understand me?”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to point out that whatever he took from the Russians is precisely why I was ambushed and threatened. But I don’t. I refuse to lash out at him for wanting to keep me safe.