Markov leaned in on the table, eyes glinting with dark amusement. "Do you think you can stop me, sweetie?" he asked, chuckling lowly as though she had just told a child's joke.
Leah arched a brow, her tone laced with mocking sweetness. "Oh dear, looks like you're living in delusion. Should I enlighten you, or let you bask in that fantasy a little longer?"
Just then, Markov's phone buzzed loudly on the table, its screen flashing with a name that made his grin falter. His brows drew together, and a vein twitched at his temple. Leah, noticing the shift, smirked coldly.
"Go on," she said, eyes glinting. "Pick it up. Good news is on the way."
He answered, and as the voice on the other end relayed the situation, his face twisted into something monstrous. His knuckles whitened around the phone, and a slew of Russian curses slipped through his lips.
Leah tilted her head, smug. "How was my surprise?"
Markov dropped the phone onto the table and leaned back. Then, suddenly, he burst into a hysterical fit of laughter. "So in the end," he wheezed, "it was me who walked into the trap. Not you. You complying to my words was just an act" His laughter died down into a low rasp. "I'm liking you more and more, Leah."
Without warning, he lunged forward, trying to snatch the gun from Leah's hand. But before he could get close, Daniel moved.
With lightning speed, Daniel grabbed Markov by the collar and slammed his head against the polished table. The impact echoed across the room. Markov groaned in pain, but Daniel didn't let go.
"Don't try to act smart in front of me," Daniel growled in a dangerously low voice. "I've been itching to smash your head for a while now."
Markov tried to resist, his muscles straining, but it was no use. Daniel's strength was unforgiving. He leaned closer, speaking softly but with a coldness that could freeze blood.
"Your end won't be simple. You touched what's mine."
Only markov was able to listen.
At that exact moment, the T-Team stormed in, weapons drawn and precision in their movements.
Chris barked out orders as David cuffed Markov with aggressive efficiency. "Got him!" he said, hauling the man upright.
Leah straightened, brushing invisible dust from her dress. "Get him out of here," she ordered crisply. "Use the airlift. Keep it clean."
Markov snarled, blood trickling down his temple, but Leah didn't spare him another glance. The mission was done.
As the rest of the team handled clean-up, Stefan ran to Leah, worry etched across his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, grabbing her by the shoulders.
Leah gave a slight nod, already scanning the room again for any missed threats. "I'm fine," she said firmly.
But Daniel was already there.
Without warning, he stepped in and pushed Stefan aside, his body language unapologetically possessive. He blocked Leah from view with a sharp move and looked down at her.
"I need to talk to you," Daniel said, voice calm but edged with tension.
Leah's eyes narrowed. She raised her hand subtly, signaling Stefan to stay quiet. "Talk," she said.
"Privately."
Stefan stepped forward again. "She's not going alone with you—"
Leah interrupted sharply. "It's alright. I'll be fine. You guys finish the wrap-up. I'll join you soon."
"Leah…" Stefan began.
She met his eyes, silent but firm. Stefan exhaled and gave a reluctant nod. "Understood."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked toward the elevator with Daniel following close behind. The tension between them buzzed like a live wire.
As the elevator doors closed, the rest of the team stood in silence, the weight of the moment settling in the room. Chris exchanged a knowing glance with Kessa, who only shrugged with a smirk.
---
Back in the alley behind the hotel, a man in all black stepped out from the shadows. He held a small comms device to his ear.
"They've taken Markov," he said in a raspy voice.
"Good," replied a distorted voice on the other end. "Now the real game begins."
The man's lips curled into a smile.
The man disappeared back into the shadows just as sirens wailed .