That night, after dinner, the house was almost quiet. Almost Matev was running in circles around the living room, his giggles echoing through the space. Lev watched him with a tired smile, but his eyes kept flicking to Dimitri, who stood leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, gaze fixed on Lev.
''Matev bed,'' Dimitri called softly, his deep voice rumbling like thunder. Matev pouted but obeyed, climbing onto the couch where Lev sat. ''Papa story?''
Lev pulled him close, his voice low as he began to read from a dog-eared children's book. Dimitri came over, sitting beside them. For a few minutes, it felt safe. Like a real family.
When Matev finally drifted sleep--- Lev quietly tucked him in and closed the bedroom door. He turned to find Dimitri waiting in the hallway, eyes dark and intense. Lev's heart jumped.
''Why are you looking at me like that?'' Lev whispered, nervous under his stare.
''Because I don't know how to make you believe me,'' Dimitri said roughly, voice shaking just enough that Lev felt it. ''I know I've fucked up. But I need you to understand -- I'm not letting you or Matev go.''
Lev's breath caught. ''You can't just say that Dimitri. You think words can erase everything?''
''No,'' Dimitri admitted, stepping closer. He cupped Lev's cheek, thumb brushing under his eye. ''But I can show you. I will show you.''
--------Meanwhile, outside their home.....
Aleksei sat in the backseat of a black car across the street, watching the lights through binoculars. His lips curled into a cold smile. ''So, this is the brat,'' he muttered, seeing Matev's silhouette in the window. He flipped through a folder in his lap --- photos of Lev from years ago, old hospital bills, record of where he'd been hiding.
One of his men cleared his throat. ''Boss, you sure you want to go after the kid?''
Aleksei's eyes glinted dangerously. Dimitri needs to remember who really controls Moscow. And I'll start with what he loves most.''
---------Back inside, in the quiet of the living room.......
Lev wrapped himself in a blanket on the couch. His eyes were tired, but his mind wouldn't stop spinning. Dimitri sat on the other end, fingers drumming the armrest. The silence between them was heavy.
''Do you regret...us?'' Lev finally asked, voice trembling.
Dimitri's eyes snapped up, fierce and raw. ''Never. Not for a second. I only regret not finding you sooner.''
Lev swallowed, looking down at his hands. ''Then prove it, Dimitri. Not with words. Not with threats. Just... be the man Matev needs. The man I need.''
For the first time, Dimitri didn't argue. He just got up, walked over, and wrapped Lev in his arms. Lev stiffened at first, then sank into him, his body relaxing.
Outside, the wind howled ----- a storm building, as if the city itself sensed the danger coming.
-----------------------------------------------------
In the darkness of his SUV, Aleksei's phone buzzed with a new message: ''We have a way in. Ready to move on your word.''
He smirked. ''Let the games begin.''