Page 40 of Vitaly

“Yes,” I answer with confidence I don’t have. “Of course.”

He nods and raises his fists, so I do the same, resisting the urge to swallow the saliva pooling in my mouth for fear of him seeing my throat contract. His eyes stay locked onto mine while my forearms prickle with energy. I’m ready to move them at his slightest movement, my whole body ready. It takes everything I have not to flinch at nothing.

Two seconds pass.

Three.

Four.

When my eyes detect movement below, I brace my forearms on my stomach, but it isn’t his fist that moves, and he isn’t aiming for my gut. He sweeps my legs from under me with one swift swing of his foot, and I gasp as I fall.

I prepare for impact, pulling my shoulders in and tensing, but Vitaly catches me before I hit the floor.

I’m panting as he brings me up and sets me on my feet.

Rough palms linger on my shoulders while he ensures I have my balance, then he backs up a few feet, scrutinizing me intently. “The most powerful gift you’ll ever receive is your enemybelievingthey know your intention. Do not ever reveal it. Everything you do should come as a surprise.”

“Wow, thanks, sensei.” I huff out a bitter laugh, but it’s weak.

I want to sneer, bite, claw, but I’m too stricken to do anything. I don’t understand why he caught me. I don’t understand why he isn’t gloating.

He beat me at his game. He made me look like a fool, like a silly girl playing with knives. He made me look exactly the way he wanted to.

So why doesn’t he look happy? Why is he still here?

Why is he acting like he’s trying to help me?

He gives me a tired smile in response and shrugs. Then, as if finished with me, he walks back to the dumbbells and resumes his curls. Just like that.

I consider leaving, but his words play in my mind while I watch him, and I remember my true mission.

The most powerful gift you’ll ever receive is your enemybelievingthey know your intention. Do not ever reveal it. Everything you do should come as a surprise.

Does that include his intention in coming here? Will heneverreveal it?

What the hell are you up to, Vitaly?

“Good morning.”

My attention whips to Nikita’s voice in the doorway, but his eyes are on Vitaly. Vitaly sets down the weight and walks over to Nikita.

“Morning.”

“You slept well, I hope?” Nikita’s voice oozes with friendliness that’s so fake, it makes my teeth ache. “The mattress was okay? Mila didn’t keep you up with her snoring?”

Nikita chuckles. Who the fuck is he, the inn keeper? And I don’t snore.

“Everything was great.”

“Good, good. Well, I have wonderful news. I found work for you. Today, you and Mila will be picking up rent checks on Custard Street.”

Vitaly gives a single nod. “Sounds good.”

“Excellent.” Nikita smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

Vitaly glances at me, then back to Nikita. “I’ll go get cleaned up.”

Nikita turns as Vitaly leaves, watching him go, and I feel it instead of see it when his smile falls. Like he’s been holding his dark energy in and now lets it loose to envelop us both.

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