chapter 5

Adrian Moretti did'nt like waiting.

Especially not for Nikolai volkov.

He leaned against the rusty steel door, jaw clenched. His black coat was crisp. The warehouse stank of old oil and secrets. Light filtered through broken windows, dust dancing like ghosts.

Then he heard it.

Footsteps. Assertive. Loud on purpose.

Nikolai Volkov.

Of course, the son of a bitch was wearing shades.

"Morning, Ace," Nikolai drawled, his voice as smooth as a lie.

"It's 11:17."

Nikolai shrugged. "Time's a social construct."

Adrian didn't flinch. "So is breathing. Want to test it?"

Nikolai grinned. "Always such a romantic."

He stomped nearer, his boots crunching glass. A smirk was plastered on his face as if the whole world owed him something and he was going to collect it with interest.

Adrian hated how good he looked with blood on his knuckles and a grin.

"Did you bring the files?" Adrian asked, his eyes narrowed.

Nikolai dropped a folder on a dusty crate. "Of course. Unlike some people's, I came prepared."

"You were late."

"I came fabulous."

Adrian took a slow breath. "Why do I have a feeling that killing you would solve ninety percentage of my problems?"

"Because it would." Nikolai moved closer. "But you will miss me."

Adrian didn't budge. Didn't even blink. But something flashed in his eyes.

That was the issue.

He would.

"Let's just go find the rat," he said with low tone. "Then you can return to wherever they're teaching you to be this annoying."

Nikolai smiled. "Daddy's palace. Moscow edition."

A pause. A shiver of tension in the air. Not the dangerous kind. Or perhaps precisely the dangerous kind.

Adrian disliked how close Nikolai was standing.

He disliked the scent of spice and smoke on him.

Disliked the heat seeping beneath his skin.

Nikolai edged in close enough to be unnerving. "You ever smile, Ace?"

"Only after I had killed someone."

"Ooh. Dark. I like it."

Adrian moved back, his steps sharp and calculated. His eyes didn't leave Nikolai's face. "We're not here to flirt."

"Speak for yourself."

Then ... gunfire.

Both men stopped.

Adrian drew his pistol.

Nikolai had his out already. "Guess the fun's starting."

Adrian locked eyes with him. "Try not to get shot."

"You too, sweetheart."

Adrian didn't reply.

But when they crept toward the door, side by side, guns up, breathing steady he was already considering that smile.

And how much more terrible this was going to become.

The corridor outside was narrow, the metal walls echoing every step.

Shadows darted quickly.

Adrian led the way. Nikolai didn't protest this time.

Three bodies were slumped against the loading dock. All Moretti men. Clean shots to the head.

Adrian knelt next to one. "Sniper," he said. "Sharp. Professional."

Nikolai scanned the rooftop lines through a broken window. “Still nearby.”

A shot cracked through the glass.

Adrian grabbed Nikolai by the collar and yanked him behind a steel beam just as another bullet tore through the air.

Nikolai landed hard against him.

Too close.

Chest to chest.

Breath caught.

Adrian didn’t let go. His hand was still gripping Nikolai’s jacket like it meant something. Like he forgot to stop.

Nikolai chuckled, his breath warm against Adrian's cheek. "You're rough. I'm into it."

Adrian pushed him away. "Don't flatter yourself."

"You were holding me."

"I was saving your ass."

"Same thing in some languages."

Adrian rolled his eyes, coming out from behind cover. "We circle left. I will the draw fire. You take the roof."

Nikolai scowled. "That's suicide."

"I didn't say good plan. I said plan."

Nikolai placed his hand on Adrian's arm. Just for an instant.

"We go together," he said. "Or we don't go at all."

Adrian stared at him, actually looked.

For once, Nikolai wasn't smiling.

His blue eyes were cold and fatigued. It held something heavy, something human.

That was worse than the flirting.

Adrian nodded once. "Fine."

They slid like shadows. Their backs to the wall, steps quiet. They moved up the service stairs, swift and silent.

Rooftop.

Wind biting. Sky gray.

The sniper spun too late.

Nikolai fired first. One bullet between the eyes.

Adrian didn't say good shot.

Didn't need to.

But when they stood over the body gasping, heartbeats still pounding, he glanced over.

Nikolai was already looking at him.

"Guess we make a good team," he said.

Adrian didn't respond.He simply stepped forward. He was close. Closer than he should.

Nikolai didn't back away.Didn't even blink.

He only tilted his head ever so slightly, like he was testing the space. Like he was waiting.

Adrian's gaze dropped. Then lifted.

A beat.

One breath.

And then...

His phone rang.

Of course.

Adrian cursed under his breath and stepped back effectively breaking the spell between the two.

Nikolai sighed. “Cockblocked by technology. Tragic.”

Adrian didn’t smile.But his voice was lower now.“This isn’t over.”

Nikolai grinned. “Didn’t think it was.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***