~ Eastern Europe, the base of the Lebedev family ~


    The base of the Lebedev family to an unsuspecting individual who wondered in the area looks like a luxurious neighborhood with vis on spacious lots.


    Most of the vis are used for family members to live in, and some are used for other purposes, such as for training, storage, information center or detention facilities. One vi is used as their base. That is where Elders conduct meetings and important gatherings.


    Ste (aka Milena) and Edward are in one of the residential vis, watching a live feed from Ellie''s and Jasper''s wedding which is shown on arge t TV. They are sitting on afortable sofa in an extravagantly decorated living room.


    Soaring cathedral ceilings, white stone walls, massive marble columns, and even ornate furniture scream luxury and money. However, Ste and Edward feel that this vi is dry and cold, like they are stuck in avish vacation they can''t find a way out. They crave for thefort of their home which was warmed by decades of their love andughter of their daughters… a ce where they raised their family and their children can return to anytime they want to feel an unconditional love and support.


    Sarah and Aiden allowed live-streaming from their drones for White and Hill parents, and Edward and Ste are using this opportunity to see their kids.


    What are Ste and Edward doing in the base of the Lebedev family?


    To answer that question, we need to travel back in the past: about two and a half months ago…


    ...


    Saturday, March 21


    Ste is in New York, seated at the round marble table, looking at King who is sitting on the opposite side.


    Behind Ste is Owen (aka Oleg) and behind King is his right-hand man, Ivan. They are the only four people in the room.


    "How do I know that you will honor your part of the deal?", Ste asked suspiciously.


    The high ceilings andck of other furniture created an unpleasant echo.


    King smiled. "You don''t. But Milena…" He leaned closer and rested his chin at the back of his palm before continuing his sentence: "…do you have a choice?"


    Ste snorted. "Vasily, do you need to point out that you cornered me?"


    Kingughed and looked at her like he does not understand what she is talking about. "I am not cornering you. You have options. More than one."


    Ste took a deep breath to calm her emotions. "You call them options… but I see only one that will prevent us from spilling blood."


    King pped his hand on the table in excitement. "Great! So, then we have a deal?"


    Ste reluctantly nodded, which made both Owen and Ivan furrow their brows.


    "Boss… are you sure?", Ivan could not hold back. "You will allow her toe back, as an Elder?"


    "Are you doubting her qualifications? Or my decision?", King asked with an evil smirk without turning to face Ivan.


    Ivan was not sure how to respond. He realized that he was too rash to talk, but he can''t take it back. His eyes nervously darted to Ste.


    After three seconds of silence, King turned his head toward Ivan in slow motion. "Since that is the case, you will get to test her qualifications and if I am right and confirm for yourself. After all, if anyone else does it, you will always be suspicious that they didn''t do their best." King narrowed his eyes at Ivan. "If you dare to doubt me, then you can doubt anyone else…"


    King turned to Ste. "You don''t mind, do you, Milena?"


    "It will be my pleasure.", she responded coolly which made King grin.


    Ste balled her hands into fists under the table while doing her best to prevent her expression from cracking.


    This is why Ste does not want her daughters to join Lebedev family and is doing her best to keep them away. It''s a constant struggle for power, always proving that you are stronger, faster, smarter… until one day you are not. The weak ones are at the mercy of the strong ones. That is how things are in the Lebedev family, those traditions stained in blood never changed.


    Half an hourter…


    In arge gym-like room with an open area without any equipment, Owen, King and several King''s men are on the side and observing the sight in front of them: Milena is standing straight and expressionlessly looking at Ivan who is savagely beaten up and has an open fracture below his left knee. Bone is sticking out through his pants. Ivan''s face is swollen and bleeding profusely in several spots, making him a miserable sight.


    King smiled morbidly while approaching Ste who other than slightly disheveled clothes, looks fine. King stopped two steps away from Ste and slowly pped three times to congratte her on her victory before his chilling gazended on Ivan.


    "And?"


    Ivan coughed and held onto his chest before responding weakly to King''s question: "I admit defeat."


    King''s gaze went back to Ste. "Wee to the family, Elder Milena."


    King made a slight gesture with his hand, and his men who were standing on the side approached Ivan and dragged him out.


    Ste shot an icy nce at Ivan while wondering, why was he so reckless? He should know that she can take him down. In the Lebedev family, openly challenging a decision of someone in power is always easily settled with a fight. As King''s right hand man of many years, Ivan knows that questioning King is not a good idea. Even if Ste was unable to defeat him, King would punish him for disobedience. Yet, Ivan still did it. Ste would like to know, what made Ivan so emotional to the point of neglecting his own safety?


    Ste looked at King and nodded slightly. "I have few things to settle. I will be in touch."


    King frowned. "How long will it take?"


    "One week. By then you can take care things on your side. Make sure they know I aming and that they are ready for me.", she responded and walked out in steady strides without looking back.


    King watched Ste''s retreating back and flexed his fingers. He told himself not to be impatient. After all, getting Milena back into the family is a good thing. The deal he made is that he will not act against Milena''s daughters as long as Milena returns as an Elder. He chuckled at the thought how that does not mean that he will give up on bringing those three girls back where they belong because in his opinion, that is not acting against them.


    Owen was one step behind Ste.


    "Milena, how are…?", Owen started as soon as they left the building.


    "Shhh…", Ste stopped him from talking and walked to the rental car. "Not here." She gestured to Owen with urgency to sit at the driver''s seat and to drive away.


    ---


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