Page 125 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

Licking the front of your teeth, you stepped outside, leaving the thudding music behind. Evening air traced the exposed planes of your skin, thick with the promise of a storm. The ever present noise of the city surrounded you, but it was a commotion you were content with. It made your muscles relax, relishing in the thought that you were right where you needed to be. Had met who you needed to.

Mikko Romanov.

A man who was considered immortal and utterly untouchable. An heir to this city essentially, his real estate business carried him farther than anything else his father Alek could’ve left him.

And it made your blood boil.

As did the view of his motorcycle next to the curb in front of you. Its sleek, black silhouette made the corners of your lips tip up as another gust of wind brought the scent of incoming rain to your nose. Portland was never dry for long, and you hoped Mikko would getrained on on his way home.

Honestly, you were surprised he was still there, his usual media presence portrayed him as someone who kept to himself, only attending certain events that would make or break his company. His secluded lifestyle was a side effect of carrying the weight of everyone’s blood on his hands. Hiding from the inevitable was a worthless coping mechanism.

You would know.

Slipping a piece of gum from your small clutch, you leaned against the exterior wall of the club, its rough surface catching on your soft dress. As you chewed, you contemplated how someone could be so despicable, but the answer was one you were already familiar with.

Sighing, you considered going home, satisfied with your impromptu meeting with Mikko, but still you lingered. People passed you, on their way to an unknown location, oblivious to the vileness happening within the building behind you.

And within your own heart.

Everyone had done deplorable things to survive; you were no different.

Your long hair tickled your arms as it billowed in the breeze. While Mikko had been seemingly unaffected by your advances in the bar, you knew his mind had to be spinning with your words. Men were all the same, visual creatures with a specific kind of desperation. Something you had no qualms stoking like the embers of a fire.

He might play the unattainable bachelor, but you knew he was more like a fragile bomb. Any wrong movements and his exterior would implode into a million pieces.

Let’s see how long it takes for me to accomplish that,you thought darkly.

Drawing a gas station receipt from your purse, you scrawled a hasty note on it, your grin widening all the while. Once you were satisfied, the click of your heels accompanied you as you walked towardhis motorcycle. Quickly, before you could get caught by whatever unlucky bastard Mikko paid to watch his precious possessions, you pulled the chewed piece of peppermint gum from your mouth, stuck it to his windshield, and placed your note on top.

Perfect.

After the research you’d done, you knew he liked his things clean and tidy—untouched by those outside of his friend circle. So this, this was a retaliation; the first chip in his facade.

Well, maybe the second…

The small touches you’d shared with him earlier proved to wind him up even tighter than anticipated. His lackluster dating life was evident in the way he responded to physical touch.

Throwing one last glance over your shoulder to make sure no one was watching, you walked away. Your own car was parked down the block, inconspicuous. Halfway there, the clouds that’d gathered above and thickened with the scent of rain whispered through your hair. The foreboding sense of anticipation reminded you of another time, long ago.

But your fate was all but signed and sealed when the first fat drop of rain splattered against your cheek as the heavens opened up and a flood came rushing forth.

37

Flora and Fauna

Anika

Almost a week had gone by since Mikko’s water logged break in, and despite leaving Dimitri’s necklace out for him to see, nothing had happened. In reality, she was a bit disappointed. A man of his status and upbringing should be able to catch the small details—to not be afraid to dole out punishment where it was due.

And yet, Anika remained unharmed, unthreatened.

How boring.

Except, that wasn’t entirely true. Two days ago, Levi had reached out, promising a relaxing date at his apartment again. It was all too close in timing to be a coincidence. Testing the waters, she declined, curious to see how far he would push her. If he was up to something suspicious, he wouldn’t let her denial drop.

And he didn’t.

“Your place, then?”he’d asked through text.