Page 3 of Avidian
His eyebrows furrow in thought.
“Nobody’s ever really asked me what I want, and I don’t know myself. This path has been laid out for me for as long as I can remember. My two brothers are already deep in the business, and it’s my turn to start carrying my weight in the family,” he explains, shifting his hands and repositioninghimself against the tree. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he seems nervous.
We both sit there in silence, our eyes drifting over the garden and the stars overhead. It should feel awkward sitting in a park late at night with a complete stranger, but instead it’s the most relaxed I’ve felt in ages. I almost feel normal, and I savor the feeling.
He clears his throat, and I turn to face him, not ready for this moment to end. “Your eyes—fucking hell, Katja. You could start wars with them.”
I look down, suddenly self-conscious. My eyes are a very light shade of blue—like my mother’s. They stand out in stark contrast against my dark-brown hair and pale skin.
When I don’t respond, he reaches over and touches my hand, drawing my eyes back to his. “What would you say if I asked you to get out of here with me? Let’s go do something crazy—seize the night,” he says.
“I’d say it sounds like the start of a horror movie, and I’m not in the mood to get murdered tonight,” I reply.
He pulls his hand away, a charming smile spreading across his face—too charming, like he could get away with murder, maybe get away with anything. He’s obviously wealthy and attractive, but that only makes him more likely to be an undercover creep. And yet a huge part of me still wants to take him up on the offer.
“If I wanted to murder you, I could do it now. Knock you out and toss you over my shoulder,” he says, teasing.
“Hmm, so you’ve thought about it,” I giggle.
He has no idea. He’d be a dead man the second Marco realized I was missing. And Marco wouldn’t merely kill him—he’d torture him, along with everyone he knows, anyone who’s ever mattered to him.
“Tell me what happened after,” he asks, and I meet his stare, studying his face for a beat.
“What?” I narrow my eyes, pretending not to understand.
“After the accident. You were so young—where did you go? How did you end up here?”
I shake my head, brushing it off. “That’s a long story, and it’s getting late. I should probably head back.” I rise to my feet, smoothing my dress.
“Can I see you again?” he asks, quickly standing beside me.
I hesitate. “Depends—are you asking because you’re genuinely interested, or are you hoping for a shot at redeeming that terrible attempt at flirting?”
I know damn well I can never see this guy again, but maybe…
“Both,” he says with a wink.
I smirk, playing along. “I come here on nights when I need to get away. Maybe fate will bring us together again one of these evenings.” I wink back and start walking toward the trail.
He quickens his pace to follow. “When you need to get away from what?” he asks, coming up beside me.
“Maybe I’ll tell you if I see you again.” I glance sideways at him, keeping my tone light. “It was nice meeting you, Malachi, but I really have to go.”
He sets his jaw, his disappointment slipping through. “Why do I feel like I’m never going to see you again?”
I don’t have the heart to tell him the truth. My life won’t allow it. Once I leave this park, he’ll become nothing more than a fun fantasy I think about on sleepless nights.
I pause, looking into his eyes for a beat longer than necessary, the cool night air swirling between us. Malachi doesn’t move, but I can feel the shift in the space around us—like the world has stopped spinning.
“Are you sure you have to go?” he murmurs, stepping a fraction closer.
My breath catches. It would be so easy to lean in, to close the distance. But I shouldn’t—there are too many reasons why I should walk away.
He reaches out, his fingers grazing my wrist, sending a ripple of heat up my arm. His touch is light, almost hesitant, like he’s giving me a choice—go or stay.
I know I should go, but my feet won’t move.
“If I don’t leave now…” My mind goes blank, too entranced to think.
