iktor's words from the night before echoed in my mind: "Trust me, no matter what happens." It wasn't just what he said, but the way he s

ons and motivations that others tried to hide. But Viktor was a puzzle, one I couldn't quite piece together. He was charming, magnetic, and yet

t, half-expecting to see Viktor on the other side. But when I

nside without waiting for an

the door behind him

screen lit up with a headli

l Linked to Crim

know him. The article went on to describe alleged connections to organized crime, shady

I said, though even as the words left m

irm. "But you need to be careful. If this gets out, it

ind racing. "I

ke it go away, and I needed answers. I called him, my fingers trembling as I h

id. "I was expe

my voice steady despite the

u," he replied.

He walked into my apartment with the same effortless confidence he always

" he said, more a stat

over my chest. "I want to h

h his hair. "Parts of it are exa

emained silent. "That's not good enough, Vi

are... unconventional. I work with people who operate in gray areas because

pressed. "Are you i

itted. "But it's not what you think. I don't deal in violence or exploitation. My goal h

ople," I said, my voice rising. "Ho

rom within," he said, his tone firm. "And

him. "This is too much, Viktor. I

out you more than I've cared about anyone in a lon

assuring and terrifying. I wanted to believe him, but

solace in the familiar rhythm of the stage. But even there, Vikto

he asked during a break, h

," I said, avo

ut," he said. "This role requires all of you

dn't let Viktor's world consume me, not w

r, I found Viktor waiting for me outside. He le

lk," he said a

then nodded

ity. The view was breathtaking, but I couldn't appreciat

tor said, breaking the silence. "And

ed. "Why not let me go if you

my life building walls, keeping people out. And then you came along a

his flaws, for all the danger that seemed to surro

I said, my voice barely above a w

t the corners of his l

as no longer the carefully scripted narrative I had once controlled. It was messy, u