Episode 2: The Storm Within
Alexander Malyavin’s face twisted into a sneer as he stepped closer to Grigory, his voice dripping with disdain. “Who do you think you are, barging into my property and making demands? That girl is mine, and so is the child she’s carrying. You have no right to interfere in my affairs!”
Grigory stood his ground, his jaw tightening. “This isn’t about rights, Malyavin. It’s about decency. You can’t keep someone against their will, and you certainly can’t threaten to take a child from its mother. That’s not how the law works.”
Malyavin laughed, a cold, hollow sound that echoed in the frosty air. “The law? Do you think I care about the law? My father owns half this town, and the other half fears him. You’re just a small-town cop with a badge too big for your britches. Get off my property before I make you regret it.”
Grigory’s hand instinctively moved to the radio on his belt, but he stopped himself. He knew escalating the situation here and now wouldn’t help Nastya. Instead, he fixed Malyavin with a steely gaze. “This isn’t over. You’ll hear from me again.”
As Grigory turned to leave, Malyavin called after him, “Tell that little runaway she can’t hide forever. I’ll find her, and when I do, she’ll regret ever crossing me.”
Back at Antonina’s house, Nastya sat by the window, her hands resting on her swollen belly. The warmth of the fire and the smell of freshly baked bread couldn’t fully ease the knot of fear in her chest. She jumped when the door opened, but relaxed when she saw it was Grigory.
“Did you see him?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Grigory nodded, his expression grim. “I did. He’s not going to let this go easily, Nastya. But don’t worry, we’ll figure something out.”
Antonina bustled into the room, carrying a tray of tea. “What did that scoundrel say? Did he threaten you?”
“He did,” Grigory admitted. “But we’re not backing down. Nastya, do you have any family or friends who could help? Anyone who could vouch for you?”
Nastya shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I told you, I’m an orphan. The only person who ever cared for me was my grandmother, and she’s gone. I have no one.”
Grigory exchanged a glance with his mother. Antonina’s eyes softened, and she reached out to pat Nastya’s hand. “You have us now, dear. We’ll stand by you.”
Over the next few days, Grigory worked tirelessly to build a case against Malyavin. He reached out to his contacts in the city, gathering information about the Malyavin family’s shady dealings. Meanwhile, Nastya stayed close to the house, her anxiety growing with each passing day. She could feel the baby moving more frequently, a constant reminder of the life growing inside her and the danger that loomed over them both.
One evening, as the three of them sat around the table, Grigory shared what he’d learned. “Malyavin’s father is involved in some serious illegal activities—drug trafficking, money laundering, you name it. If we can get enough evidence, we might be able to bring the whole family down. But it’s risky. They have connections everywhere, including in the police force.”
Nastya’s face paled. “What if they find out you’re investigating them? What if they come after you?”
Grigory gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be careful. But we can’t let them get away with this. Not just for your sake, but for everyone they’ve hurt.”
Antonina nodded in agreement. “Grisha’s right. We have to fight back. But we need to be smart about it.”
The next morning, Grigory received a call from a trusted colleague. “We’ve got something,” the voice on the other end said. “A witness is willing to testify against Malyavin’s father, but they’re scared. They’ll only talk if we can guarantee their safety.”
Grigory’s heart raced. This could be the break they needed. “Set up a meeting. I’ll be there.”
As he prepared to leave, Nastya stopped him at the door. “Please be careful,” she whispered, her eyes filled with worry.
Grigory hesitated for a moment, then gently cupped her face in his hands. “I will. I promise.”
The meeting took place in a secluded spot outside the city. Grigory arrived early, scanning the area for any signs of trouble. When the witness finally appeared, they were visibly nervous, glancing over their shoulder every few seconds.
“I’ll only say this once,” the witness began. “Malyavin’s father is the head of a drug ring that operates across the region. He’s bribed officials, silenced anyone who gets in his way, and his son is just as bad. If you want to take them down, you’ll need more than just my word. You’ll need proof.”
Grigory nodded. “We’re working on it. But your testimony could be the key to bringing them to justice.”
As the witness handed over a folder of documents, a noise in the distance made them both freeze. Grigory’s instincts kicked in. “Get out of here. Now.”
The witness didn’t need to be told twice. They disappeared into the shadows just as a black SUV pulled up. Grigory’s heart sank as he recognized the driver—one of Malyavin’s men.
“Looks like we’ve got a nosy cop,” the man sneered, stepping out of the vehicle. “Boss said to send a message.”
Before Grigory could react, a second man appeared, wielding a bat. The first blow caught him off guard, sending him to the ground. Pain shot through his side as he struggled to defend himself, but he was outnumbered.
As darkness closed in, Grigory’s last thought was of Nastya and the promise he’d made to protect her.
To be continued…