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"Andre, you seem distracted," Ekaterina said softly as they exited Lenin's Mausoleum. Her hand squeezed his, her gaze searching his face with concern.
He smiled faintly and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's nothing serious. Maybe I've been stationed in the Far East too long. It's… strange to see life so peaceful here in Moscow."
Nearby, a young couple posed for photographs in wedding attire. The square echoed with the muted clicks of cameras and murmurs of tourists. It had become a tradition—newlyweds immortalizing their union at the heart of Soviet pride.
Ekaterina leaned close and said with a gentle gleam in her eye, "When we get married, I'll find the best photographer in Moscow to take our picture here. What do you say?"
Andre smiled. "Deal." He recalled the night they had shared, the connection between them now stronger than ever.
But suddenly, Ekaterina tensed.
Her fingers gripped his wrist tightly. "Andre… we need to go. Now."
Before he could ask why, a tall officer in a KGB uniform strolled toward them, arrogance in his step and something far darker in his eyes.
"Ekaterina, long time no see," he said, his tone a mockery of politeness.
Andre's muscles tightened. He recognized that face instantly: Major Serov, the KGB officer who had once tried to brand him a traitor. Now it all made sense—the animosity, the investigation, the relentless suspicion. It wasn't just professional. It was personal.
Serov had known about Ekaterina all along.
"Let's go," Ekaterina whispered, pulling at Andre's arm, her voice tense with emotion.
But Serov stepped closer. "Still can't believe it," he said with venom. "A woman like you… wasting herself on a weakling like him. Must have been one hell of a night."
Andre's vision blurred with rage. His right fist clenched, arm coiled back, ready to strike—
"No, Andre!" Ekaterina hissed. "If you hit him, your Hero of the Soviet Union title—everything—will be gone!"
His fist stopped one centimeter from Serov's nose. He stood trembling, every nerve screaming for release.
Serov smirked. "Go on, hero. Just one punch. Let's see how far your medals take you after that."
Andre inhaled deeply. Slowly, he pulled his fist back. "Major Serov," he said coldly, "I am ordering you to run ten laps around Red Square."
The KGB officer blinked. "What?"
"You heard me. As a senior officer—Lieutenant Colonel Andrei—I'm issuing a direct order. Disobey it, and you'll answer to the Military Law Division for insubordination."
Serov's smug grin faltered.
Ekaterina stepped beside Andre, voice sweet but pointed. "Major Serov, if you refuse the lieutenant colonel's order, I'll make sure your superiors know you directly ignored protocol."
Normally, no one dared speak that way to the KGB. Even base commanders treated them with cautious respect. But military hierarchy was still law—and Serov, technically, had to obey.
He sneered. "You'll regret this."
Then he turned on his heel and marched away, boots clapping across the stone.
Andre let out a breath and looked to Ekaterina. "No matter what happens, I'll protect you. If this were a battlefield, I'd have drawn my sidearm and ended him right there."
She touched his arm, eyes full of apology. "I'm sorry, Andre. This is my fault. My past with Serov… it's brought you nothing but trouble."
"I'm not afraid," he said, gently pulling her into his arms. "We stand together."
Just then, a voice interrupted them. "Comrade Yekaterina, Comrade Irina has invited you to her home. And Comrade Andrei—you are also welcome."
They turned. A man in civilian clothes stood politely, gesturing toward a black Volga sedan parked nearby.
Andre glanced at Ekaterina. She nodded.
"Let's go," she said. "It's time you met the people I trust."
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