Page 20 of His Dark Pull

Then, I stumble upon an article from three years ago, a news report about a similar string of robberies that had plagued a city across the country. The perpetrators, a group of Eastern European criminals, had called themselves “The Europeans.”Thedate of the articlemake a cold sweat break out on my forehead –it’sthe same day Alexander had disappeared from my life, the day he had left me with nothing but a broken heart and unanswered questions.

Then it all makes sense. The Veles Network, the robberies, Alexander’s mysterious past, Kovacs being an Eastern European name— it’s all connected.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. Is Alexander involved with the Veles mafia? The thought is both terrifying and strangely exhilarating. I’ve always been drawn to his darkness, to the edge he lives on, but this is different. This is real danger, real consequences.

I try to piece together what I’ve learned, but the more I think about it, the more confused I become. Why would Alexander, a successful businessman with everything to lose, risk it all by getting involved with a criminal organization?

I remember the bruises on his hands, the pain in his eyes, the way he had spoken of his past with such regret.I know he wasn’taninnocentman, but this is more than just a few youthful mistakes.

Despite my every instinct, I can’t deny my pull toward him, the magnetic force that draws me into his orbit. I know I should stay away, protect myself from the darknessthat surroundshim.But a part of me,the part thathas never let go, yearns to understand him, tohelp him find redemption.

Does he even want redemption, Ava?

I’m playing with fire, and I know that. Unable to sleep, I lie back down in bed.

Just as I’m about to drift off, my phone buzzes, jolting me from my reverie. Tyler’s name flashes on the screen, and I answer.

“Ava, I got your message. What’s going on?”Tyler asks, the playful lilt replaced by a seriousness that worries me.

I now remember that I had sent him a message earlier, a brief text about my discovery of the Veles Network’s possible connection to a string of robberies that had occurred three years ago.

Back then, I hadn’t considered the possibility of Alexander’s involvement, but now, the puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place, forming a pictureI’mnot sure I want to see.

“I found something,”I reply, my voice shaky.“I was researching the Veles Network,andIstumbled upon an article about a similar robbery that happened three years ago across the country.”

Silence hangs heavy on the other end of the line, the only sound the faint crackling of the connection. Then, Tyler’s voice breaks the stillness. “That’s something we need to look into. I’ll let my dad know. Thanks for telling me.”

“No problem,”I murmur as I exhale.

He didn’t question my sudden interest in the Veles Network.

“How is Alexander?”he asks casually, his tone shifting back to its usual lightheartedness, though a slight edge betrays a hint of jealousy. Tyler has always been aware of Alexander’s wealth and influence, the effortless way he navigates the upper echelons of society, a world that Tyler, despite his own success, can never fully penetrate.

My heart skips a beat. “Alexander?”I repeat.

“Yeah, I went bowling with Dexter and a few friends from work. Dex was acting weird last night. Got super intense about some spilled beer.”

“Oh? What did he say?”

“Something about how people need to be taught a lesson.”He laughs. “Dexter’s a bit of an oddball, you know?”

“Oh, okay—”

“Anyways, he told me he saw you get into his car,”Tyler explains.

“Um, yes, he offered me a ride home because of the rain,”I reply, trying to sound nonchalant.

“How kind of him,”Tyler chuckles, the humor forced. “I didn’t know he was back in town?”

My stomach churns. “Neither did I, until recently,”I say.

“Be sure to tell him I said hi,”Tyler continues. “I haven’t seen him in ages. It’s not like we were ever friends, but you can remind him I was on the football team. He didn’t like sports much, Alexander.”

With the mention of Alexander, my pulse quickens. I know that Tyler and Alexander went to school together, but I’ve never considered what their relationship might have been like.

“Yes, sure, if I see him again, I will,”I say. “He’s very–special.”

Tyler lets out a sigh. “Ava, Alexander had a rough childhood. His parents neglected him, andI thinkhe had other troubles at home. He got into some petty crime. I remember my father taking him down to the station several times, something with his father. He used to come to school with bruises.”

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