“For your toy soldiers?”
“Yes, for them.” She didn’t take the bait. “They saved your life and mine. I will not leave them in jeopardy.” She pulled out the crumpled shopping bag Maxwell had given her a lifetime ago in his study. “If they prefer, they can have this instead.” He peeked inside, and his green eyes went wide. “Care to guess who gave me that? For the express purpose of bribery?”
“I can guess. I am also guessing that my mother does not know of this.”
“She does not, and if she did, she’d be enraged,” Sophie conceded. “But I have higher expectations of you.”
He looked away for a moment, then turned back. “I will not stand in your way.”
She smiled and put her hand against his cheek. He leaned into her palm and closed his eyes. “I love you.” She pulled his hand up and kissed his palm. “I love you hard.”
-
Sergei and Sevastian sat down across from Sophie, looking wary. They seemed to know they’d reached the end of a very comfortable gig.
“It is time for me to return to America. Michael and I are well enough to travel, and our lives are in danger.
They looked at one another with resigned expressions. “We thought you might leave soon,” said Sergei. “We are sorry to see you go. You have been kind to us, and not just in business. You are a brave, honorable woman.”
“You have been kind to me as well. I owe you my life and the life of the man I love. I wish to repay you for this, and not just with money.” They looked blank, contemplating what could be better than cash. “Have either of you considered leaving the Soviet Republic? Perhaps you could start a new life in another country. My country.”
Sevastian’s eyes widened. “What you speak of is the dream of many young Soviet men. But few achieve this dream. Our two countries have an uneasy peace, and Soviet citizens cannot gain entry to America easily.”
Sophie pulled out the papers Maxwell had sent her. “It is easier when you know the right people. If you wish, you can fill out this documentation. In a week’s time, you’ll be able to follow me to the US where you will be granted entry.” She pushed the papers across the table. “You’re both young, strong men of character. You could have good lives in America.” They stared at her. “Or, if you prefer to stay here, I can provide considerable financial incentive for your continued silence about what happened here.”
Sergei looked down at the papers. “I would go to America. I have no wife, no children. The Commandant has brought dishonor to the Soviet Republic. I can do better.” He drew the papers across the table.
Sevastian followed his lead. “For me as well.”
“You’ve made the right choice,” she said, smiling. “You won’t regret this.”
-
After the team returned for the night, Sophie had a long, heated meeting with the executive committee.
“He’s a living witness to the atrocities in Parnaas, as are you,” urged one of the more fiery members of the team. “We can’t pass this opportunity up. I say we leak Nariovsky-Trent’s story to the media along with your arrival time in New York, and take advantage of the coverage. We’ll get massive exposure.”
Sophie shook her head. “I can’t agree to that. He’s a volatile individual at the best of times, and right now, he’s a walking powder keg. The last thing he needs is a media scrum when he clears immigration.”
“You’re allowing your personal feelings to cloud your professional judgment.”