Chapter 61: The Performance

The morning sun hit the glass walls of the penthouse, but the light felt cold. I was sitting at the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, while Dmitri and Ivan moved around the room with a quiet, lethal grace. Ever since my confession last night, the air had shifted. I was no longer just a guest or a victim; I was a prize they had finally claimed. But the walls of this gilded cage felt thicker than ever.

The sudden chime of my phone on the nightstand made me flinch.

I reached for it, but Dmitri’s hand was faster. He picked it up, his dark eyes scanning the screen. A small, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"It’s your mother," Dmitri said, his voice smooth and low. He turned the screen toward me.

My heart did a painful somersault. "Eleanor? Why is she calling this early?"

"Maybe she misses her son," Ivan said, walking over from the window. He leaned against the bedpost, looking down at me with an expression that was half-tender, half-predatory. "Or maybe she wants to check on how her favorite boys are getting along."

"I have to answer," I said, reaching out. My hand was shaking. "If I don't, she’ll get worried. She’ll come here."

Dmitri didn't hand it over immediately. He sat down beside me, the weight of his body sinking the mattress. He put a hand on my thigh, his grip firm. "You will answer, Leo. But you need to listen to me very carefully before you press that button."

"Dmitri, please—"

"Listen," he interrupted, his tone sharpening. "She is happy right now. She believes she’s found the love of her life in our father. She believes you are here building a bond with your new brothers. If you sound even a little bit off, if you drop even a hint of the truth, that happiness vanishes. Do you want to be the one who breaks her heart?"

I looked at him, feeling the familiar weight of guilt pressing down on my chest. "No. Of course not."

"Then you are going to be the perfect son," Ivan added, stepping closer so he was right in front of me. He reached out and smoothed a stray hair away from my forehead. "You’re going to tell her how much fun we’re having. How we’ve been showing you the city. How much you appreciate us taking you under our wing."

The phone stopped ringing, then immediately started again. She was persistent.

"Answer it," Dmitri commanded, finally placing the phone in my palm.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my lungs, and swiped to answer. I put it on speaker, as Dmitri’s silent look demanded.

"Leo? Honey, are you there?" my mother’s voice chirped through the line. She sounded so light, so full of a joy I hadn't heard in years. It made my throat ache.

"Hi, Mom," I said, forcing a smile into my voice. "I'm here. Sorry, I was just... getting dressed."

"Oh, good! I was worried I woke you. How is everything at the penthouse? Is Arthur’s place as beautiful as the pictures?"

I looked up. Ivan was watching me with an arched eyebrow, waiting. Dmitri’s hand tightened slightly on my leg.

"It’s incredible, Mom," I lied, my voice steadying through sheer terror. "The view is unlike anything I've ever seen. I’m still getting used to it all."

"And the boys?" she asked, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "How are Dmitri and Ivan treating you? I know they can be a bit... intense. Arthur says they’re very driven, but I hope they’re being kind to my artist."

I looked at the two men flanking me. Intense didn't even begin to cover it. They were monsters wrapped in expensive silk, and they were currently holding my life in their hands.

"They’ve been great, Mom," I said, and surprisingly, it didn't feel entirely like a lie after last night. "Actually, they’ve been taking care of me. We’ve been spending a lot of time together. Getting to know each other."

Dmitri leaned in, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered so softly she couldn't hear: "Tell her about the dinner."

"They actually took me to this amazing place last night," I continued, following his lead. "It was... eye-opening."

"Oh, Leo, that makes me so happy!" Eleanor let out a little girlish laugh. "I knew you three would hit it off. Listen, the reason I’m calling is that Arthur and I are heading back into the city today. I was thinking of dropping by the penthouse this afternoon to see you. Maybe we could all have tea? I want to see you in your new element."

The blood drained from my face. I looked at Dmitri. His eyes went cold for a split second before a mask of calm took over.

"Today?" I stammered. "I... I don't know if the guys have plans—"

Ivan leaned down, his face inches from mine. He nodded once, a sharp, decisive movement.

"Actually, Mom," I said, my heart racing, "that sounds wonderful. I think the twins are free. Right, guys?"

I looked at them, playing the part.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world, Eleanor," Dmitri said loudly enough for the phone to pick it up. His voice was warm, charming—the voice of the perfect step-son.

"Dmitri! Is that you? You’re such a doll," my mother said. "I’ll see you all around four, then? I can't wait to see my boys together."

"See you then, Mom," I said.

The moment the call ended, I dropped the phone like it had burned me. I buried my face in my hands. "She’s coming here. She’s going to see right through me. She knows my face, she knows when I’m hiding something."

"Then don't hide it," Ivan said, sitting on the other side of me. Now I was trapped between them again. "Just change the truth. You aren't a prisoner, Leo. You’re a beloved member of this family. If you look at us with fear, she’ll ask questions. But if you look at us the way you did last night..."

"Ivan, stop," I whispered.

"He’s right," Dmitri said, grabbing my chin and tilting my head up. "This afternoon is a performance. If you fail, the wedding is at risk. Our father’s reputation is at risk. Your mother’s heart is at risk. Do you understand the stakes?"

"I understand," I said, my voice trembling. "But it's hard. Every time I see her, I feel like I'm betraying her memory of me."

"The old Leo is gone," Dmitri said firmly. "The one who lived in a tiny apartment and painted for pennies. This Leo—our Leo—lives here. He is protected. He is wanted."

Ivan reached around and began to unbutton my pajama shirt. I stiffened.

"What are you doing?"

"We need to get you ready," Ivan murmured. "You need to look like a Volkov. We’re going to pick out your clothes. We’re going to make sure you look rested, happy, and thoroughly taken care of. By the time she walks through those doors, you won't even remember how to be afraid."

I sat there, frozen, as they began to strip away the last remnants of my privacy. I felt like a doll they were dressing up for a show. I knew I had to play the part. I knew the consequences of failure were too high. But as I looked at my reflection in the long mirror across the room, I didn't recognize the person staring back.

"Smile for me, Leo," Ivan coached, his hands resting on my bare shoulders. "Practice it. The perfect, happy smile."

I tried. I pulled the corners of my mouth up, but my eyes remained hollow.

"Better," Dmitri said, though his expression remained stern. "But by four o'clock, I want to see light in those eyes. If we have to spend the next six hours making you feel good enough to glow, we will. Do you understand?"

I nodded slowly. I knew what they meant. They would use pleasure to mask my pain, and by the time my mother arrived, I would be so overwhelmed by them that the truth wouldn't even be able to find its way to my lips.

I was a prisoner, yes. But today

, I had to be the happiest prisoner in New York.