Page 4 of Twisted Vows

Her brow furrowed, and she nodded, not even looking away from her screen. “Give me the details, and I’ll handle the rest.”

As I relayed the information, her fingers danced across the keys, her mind already several steps ahead, clearly formulating a plan of attack. It was a sight to behold.

With the wheels in motion, I stepped back, allowing Valentina to work her magic. She knew what she was doing.

Needing a momentary reprieve, I decided to swing by Jitter Beans. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted me as I stepped through the door several minutes later, savoring the brief respite from the chaos of the day.

“Rurik, hey. The usual?” called out Nika, her melodic voice dancing over the hum of conversation, and the hiss of the espresso machine.

I approached the counter, leaning against it with casual ease. “Make it strong. It’s been one of those days.”

She chuckled, her movements graceful as she prepared my drink. “One of those mysterious murky days you can’t talk about?”

I raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. “Now, what would give you that idea?”

She handed me a steaming cup, her fingers brushing mine with deliberate carelessness. “Oh, just a hunch. Plus, you look like you could use something sweeter than just coffee.”

The corners of my mouth twitched upward involuntarily. “Are you offering to sweeten my day, dorogaya?”

Her laughter was like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. “I might be convinced to share a cookie with you.”

I took a sip, the rich bitterness of the coffee grounding me. “I’d say that’s a fair start.”

She leaned forward, her blonde hair tucked up under a small cap. “So, what’s it like? The danger, the adrenaline?”

I feigned ignorance. “What makes you think I do something dangerous?”

She just smirked at me. “Are you trying to pretend you don't? I don't know exactly what you do, but I can tell you're not an accountant, so what's it like?”

I considered her question, weighing how much to reveal. “It’s like riding a motorcycle at top speed in the dead of night. You feel alive and aware but one wrong move could be your last.”

Her eyes widened with a mixture of fear and fascination. “Sounds intense.”

“It is.” I took another sip, letting the warmth spread through me. “But it’s not all darkness and danger.”

“Oh?” She perched on the edge of the counter, her interest piqued.

“There are moments of...unexpected lightness,” I said, my gaze lingering on her face.

Nika’s delicate pink skin contrasted with her pale hair. “Like stumbling upon a friendly face in a coffee shop?”

“Exactly like that.” I took a step closer, our proximity blurring the lines between customer and barista.

She bit her lip, considering me with an intensity that matched my own. “And if this friendly face wanted to know more about the mysterious Rurik Losev?”

“I’d say she’s playing with fire,” I said, my voice low and steady.

Nika’s breath hitched slightly, her chest rising and falling with a rhythm that beckoned me closer. “Maybe she likes the heat.”

Our gazes locked, an electric current sizzling between us. The world outside faded away. There was only Nika with her siren’s smile and me with my shadowed soul.

“Rurik?” Her voice was soft yet insistent.

I blinked, breaking the spell as I realized I had lingered too long in her orbit. I was perilously close to telling her things I shouldn't reveal. “I should go. Duty calls.”

She nodded slowly, disappointment veiled behind her professional facade. “Of course. Be safe out there.”

I gave her a final nod and pushed through the door back into the real world where danger lurked around every corner and trust was a luxury we couldn’t afford. I wondered what it might be like to be an accountant, who could offer her a safe life, but I wasn't that man. It was foolish to dream about when it was impossible.

---