Family

"Let's be clear, I'll get straight to the point," said Mikhail, joining his fingers in a gesture Klaus made every time he was concentrated. In Mikhail, it felt threatening. "This... relationship between you, whatever it is... I'll allow it, with one condition."

Anika looked at Klaus, who raised an eyebrow in his father's direction, expectant, but Mikhail focused his attention entirely on Anika. "I know what Nikolay did to protect you, but Klaus is not stupid enough to really defy me, not if he truly appreciates his lifestyle." Klaus clenched his jaw but looked away, which for a moment made Anika feel afraid. "Nikolay stole something important to me, and you know where it is, my wife's ring. Give it to me, and I'll leave you alone."

"I don't have it," replied Anika. "And is all this really for a ring?" she asked, confused.

"Mother's ring is not worth as much as diamonds," Klaus pointed out. "Why do you care so much?"

"It's an offering of peace," the man said slowly. "I already lost