Chapter 15 : THE GAMBLE

11:00 PM - IVAN'S PLAN

Ivan couldn't sleep.

He'd been pacing his room for hours, trying to find a way out. A solution. Anything.

Three days.

That's all they had before Lorenzo made his move.

And Ivan knew—knew—that waiting wasn't an option.

He grabbed his phone and texted his father.

Ivan: Dad. Are you awake? We need to talk. Now.

The response came within seconds.

Dad: My office. 5 minutes.

11:10 PM - KIRILL'S OFFICE

Kirill looked exhausted when Ivan walked in.

Dark circles under his eyes. A glass of vodka half-empty on his desk.

"You couldn't sleep either," Kirill said. Not a question.

"How could I?" Ivan closed the door behind him. "Dad, we can't just sit here and wait for Lorenzo to make his next move."

"I know that."

"Then we need to be smart.

Strategic." Ivan sat down across from him. "We need to make Lorenzo not want Kyrian anymore."

Kirill's eyes narrowed. "What are you suggesting?"

"His medical records."

The room went silent.

"No," Kirill said immediately.

"Absolutely not."

"Hear me out—"

"No! That information is private. Protected. If anyone finds out about his HSPD—"

"They won't. We send it directly to Lorenzo. Only him. No one else."

Kirill stared at his son. "Why would we do that?"

"Because Lorenzo doesn't know what he's getting into." Ivan leaned forward. "He thinks Kyrian is just some pretty omega he can own. Control. But the reality?

Kyrian can't survive around high-grade pheromones. Especially not an Enigma's pheromones."

"So?"

"So Lorenzo is a businessman. A strategist. If he knows that marrying Kyrian means constant medical complications, constant risk, constant inconvenience..."

Ivan's voice hardened. "He'll walk away."

"Or he'll use it against us. Say Kyrian is damaged goods and demand compensation—"

"Maybe. But there's also a chance he says it's too much trouble and finds someone else to punish."

Kirill was quiet, thinking.

"It's risky," he finally said.

"Everything is risky right now. But this? This might actually work."

"And if it doesn't? If he uses this information to hurt Kyrian?"

"Then we're no worse off than we are now." Ivan's jaw clenched. "But if we do nothing, in three days, Rian becomes his anyway.

And Lorenzo will find out about the HSPD eventually. Better he knows now and decides it's not worth it."

Kirill rubbed his face tiredly.

"You're asking me to expose my son's biggest vulnerability to a man who already wants to destroy him."

"I'm asking you to give Lorenzo a reason to change his mind."

The silence stretched between them.

Finally, Kirill opened his desk drawer and pulled out a locked file.

.

"This is his complete medical history. Everything. The diagnosis at fifteen. The hospital visits. The suppressants. All of it."

"Send it," Ivan said firmly.

"Tonight. Before we lose our nerve."

Kirill stared at the file for a long moment.

Then he unlocked his computer and began typing.

11:45 PM - THE EMAIL

TO: [e-mail]

FROM: [e-mail]

What this means: His body cannot properly process high-grade pheromones.

Exposure to Alpha pheromones causes severe physical reactions.

Exposure to Enigma pheromones could be fatal.

He requires specialized medication three times daily.

Even with medication, prolonged exposure to strong pheromones can trigger system failure.

You are an Enigma. Your pheromones are the most dangerous thing for him.

If you force him into marriage, you're not getting a healthy, compliant omega.

You're getting someone who will be constantly sick, constantly medicated, constantly at risk.

You wanted to own him. But you can't own someone who might die just from being in the same room as you.

Attached is his full medical file.

Read it. Understand what you're actually asking for.

Then reconsider your proposal.

This isn't about pride anymore. This is about reality.

—Kirill Volkov

Kirill attached the encrypted medical file and hovered his finger over "send."

"Once I do this, there's no taking it back," he said quietly.

"I know," Ivan replied. "Send it."

Kirill pressed send.

The email whooshed into the digital void.

Both men sat in heavy silence.

"What do we do now?" Kirill asked.

"We wait. And we hope Lorenzo is smart enough to walk away."

8:30 AM - MORETTI ESTATE - LORENZO'S OFFICE

Lorenzo was drinking his morning espresso when his phone pinged.

New email. From Kirill Volkov.

He opened it, expecting threats or negotiation attempts.

What he got instead made him pause.

HSPD.

Lorenzo read the email once. Twice. Then a third time.

Then he opened the encrypted attachment.

Medical records. Detailed.

Extensive.

Patient Name: Kyrian Volkov

Date of Birth: [REDACTED]

Diagnosis: Hyper-Sensitivity Pheromone Disorder (HSPD)

Date of Diagnosis: Age 15

Severity: Class 4 (Extreme)

Lorenzo scrolled through pages of medical reports:

Hospital admissions for pheromone shock

Emergency treatments after Alpha exposure

Detailed medication schedules

Risk assessments

Prognosis: "Patient will require lifelong management. Exposure to Enigma-grade pheromones not recommended. Potential for fatal reaction."

Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, processing.

So that's why Kyrian always looked so carefully controlled. Why he'd reacted so violently to being touched.

Not just bratty behavior.

Survival instinct.

A knock on his door.

"Come in."

Dante entered, followed by Vincenzo.

"You called?" Dante asked.

Lorenzo turned his laptop around, showing them the email.

Both men read in silence.

"Well," Dante said finally. "That's... that changes things."

"Does it?" Lorenzo asked quietly.

"Of course it does! Lorenzo, you can't marry someone who might die from being near you—"

"Can't I?"

Dante stared at him. "You're not seriously still considering this."

Lorenzo was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was measured. Calm.

"I asked for his medical records two days ago. Did you know that?"

Dante blinked. "What?"

"After the casino. I had someone look into him. I wanted to know who I was dealing with." Lorenzo gestured to the screen. "They came back with nothing. Everything was sealed. Protected. Hidden."

"So?"

"So the Volkovs have been very careful about keeping this secret.

Which means they know how dangerous it is if the wrong person finds out." Lorenzo's eyes were dark, thoughtful. "And now they've handed it to me. Why?"

"To make you back off—"

"No. They're desperate." Lorenzo stood, walking to the window.

"Desperate enough to expose their son's greatest vulnerability to me.

That tells me everything.

"It tells you they think you'll walk away," Vincenzo said.

"It tells me they're out of options."

Lorenzo turned back. "Which means if I push harder, they'll break."

"So you're still going through with it," Dante said flatly.

Lorenzo was quiet.

"I want you to research something for me," he finally said. "HSPD treatment options. Specialist doctors. Management protocols."

"Why?"

"Because if I'm going to do this, I need to understand what I'm dealing with."

"Lorenzo—"

"I'm not walking away, Dante. But I'm also not stupid." Lorenzo's voice was firm.

"Find out everything. I want to know if there's a way to make this... sustainable."

Vincenzo studied his son. "You're planning long-term."

"I always do."

"This isn't just revenge anymore, is it?"

Lorenzo looked at his father. "It stopped being just revenge the moment he looked me in the eyes and didn't flinch."

2:00 PM - VOLKOV MANSION - THE RESPONSE

Kirill's phone rang.

Unknown number.

He answered. "Hello?"

"Mr. Volkov. It's Dante Romano.

Lorenzo Moretti's lawyer."

Kirill's grip tightened on the phone. "And?"

"Lorenzo received your email. He's reviewed the medical records."

"Then you understand why this marriage is impossible."

There was a long pause.

"Mr. Volkov... Lorenzo wants to move forward."

The words hit like a physical blow.

"What?"

"He's aware of the medical complications. He's prepared to accommodate them. The proposal stands."

"Are you insane?! Did you read the same file I sent?!"

"I read it. So did Lorenzo. Multiple times."

"Then he knows my son could die—"

"He knows. And he's researching treatment options. Specialists.

Ways to manage the condition."

Kirill's blood ran cold. "What?"

"Lorenzo isn't approaching this carelessly, Mr. Volkov. He wants to understand. He wants to make it work."

"Why? Why would he do that?"

Dante sighed. "I've been asking myself the same question. All I can tell you is... I don't think this is just about revenge anymore."

"Then what is it about?"

"I honestly don't know. But Lorenzo is... determined. You have two days left to respond."

"The answer is no. It will always be no."

"Then prepare for the alternative. Goodbye, Mr. Volkov."

The line went dead.

Kirill sat frozen.

Ivan, who'd been listening, looked shaken.

"He's researching treatment? He's trying to make it work?"

"Apparently."

"I don't... I don't understand. That makes it worse somehow."

"Because it means he's serious,"

Kirill said quietly. "He's not doing this on impulse. He's planning. Calculating."

"What do we tell Rian?"

Kirill closed his eyes. "The truth. God help us, we tell him the truth."

6:00 PM - KYRIAN'S ROOM

Kyrian was reading when his father knocked.

Something in the sound made his stomach drop.

"Come in."

Kirill entered slowly, looking like he was walking to an execution.

"Dad? What's wrong?"

Kirill sat on the edge of the bed.

For a long moment, he didn't speak.

"Dad, you're scaring me."

"Ivan and I... we did something.

We thought we were being smart, but—" Kirill's voice caught. "We sent Lorenzo your medical records."

Kyrian went very still.

"What?"

"Your HSPD. Everything. We thought if he understood the reality—the risks, the complications—he'd walk away."

"And?" Kyrian's voice was barely above a whisper.

Kirill looked at his son with something that looked like defeat.

"He wants to move forward anyway. He's... he's researching treatment. Looking for specialists.

Ways to manage your condition."

Kyrian couldn't breathe.

"So he knows I'm broken and he's... what? Trying to fix me so he can own me?"

"You're not broken—"

"Stop saying that!" Kyrian stood up, pacing. "Everyone always says that but it's not true! I am broken!

My body doesn't work right! I can't be around people without medication! I can't have a normal life!"

"Rian—"

"And now he knows! And instead of walking away like a normal person, he's trying to find a way to make it work?!"

Kyrian's laugh was slightly hysterical. "What is wrong with him?!"

"I don't know."

"Did Dante say why? Did he explain why Lorenzo would do this?"

Kirill hesitated. "He said... he said he doesn't think it's just about revenge anymore."

"Then what is it about?"

"He didn't know."

Kyrian sank onto his bed, head in his hands.

"This is insane. All of this is insane."

Kirill moved to sit beside him. "I'm sorry. I thought exposing the truth would protect you. Instead—"

"Instead you gave him all the information he needs to actually succeed." Kyrian's voice was hollow.

"We still have two days. We can run—"

"And go where? For how long?"

Kyrian looked at his father. "You said it yourself yesterday. Men like Lorenzo always find what they're looking for."

"Then we fight—"

"How?!

Kirill grabbed his son's shoulders.

"We have each other. We have family. That counts for something."

"Does it?" Kyrian pulled away.

"Because right now it feels like I'm alone in this. You and Ivan made decisions about my life, about my medical privacy, without asking me. And now Lorenzo Moretti knows my biggest secret."

"We were trying to help—"

"I know." Kyrian's voice cracked. "I know you were. But Dad... I'm so scared."

Kirill pulled him into a hug.

"I know, baby. I know. I'm scared too."

They sat like that for a long time—father and son, both terrified of what was coming.

Finally, Kyrian pulled back.

"I need to know something."

"Anything."

"In two days, when the deadline comes... if Lorenzo makes demands, issues threats... what will you do?"

Kirill looked his son in the eyes.

"I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Even if you hate me for it."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Kyrian whispered.

Meant giving him away.

"Dad... promise me you won't make any decisions without talking to me first. Please. That's all I'm asking."

Kirill wanted to promise. Wanted to give his son that reassurance.

But he'd been in this world long enough to know that sometimes, there were no good choices.

Only terrible ones.

"I'll try," he said instead. "That's all I can promise. I'll try."

It wasn't enough.

But it was all they had.

Kyrian nodded, accepting the painful truth.

"Can you leave now? I need... I need to be alone."

"Okay." Kirill stood, walking to the door. He paused. "Rian? I love you.

More than anything. You know that, right?"

"I know," Kyrian said quietly. "I love you too."

After his father left, Kyrian lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

Two days.

Forty-eight hours.

Then everything changed.

He closed his eyes and tried not to think about Lorenzo reading his medical files.

Tried not to think about those dark eyes studying every weakness, every vulnerability.

Tried not to think about the fact that Lorenzo now knew exactly how to break him.

And was planning to do it anyway.

"He's researching treatment.

Looking for specialists."

That should have been comforting.

Instead, it was terrifying.

Because it meant Lorenzo wasn't giving up.

It meant he was finding a way to make Kyrian his.

Permanently.

And Kyrian didn't know if that was worse than the alternative.