Page 119 of Eternal

AZRA

“Touch” by Cigarettes After Sex

Present

D amir was quiet during the ride, or maybe I was. I’m not really the talkative type, never have been.

When I was younger, it always felt like saying too much meant getting on someone’s nerves, like my words took up space they didn’t want to give. So I stopped.

I learned to stay quiet, smile when it feels safe, and keep everything else locked up.

But with him… I don’t know. It’s different . I never feel like I’m too much when I talk, or like I have to force anything when I don’t.

It’s almost like… he’s waiting. Not pushing, not prying. He’s simply there, listening . And sometimes I catch myself wanting to say more, like if I started, he’d stay and let me finish.

After a few minutes, we pulled up to the Lebanese complex. Not many cars outside. Zanae’s text had said:

Zanae

Dinner tonight at my place. I know you’re heading back tomorrow and would love to celebrate your visit. Can’t wait to have you back.

It was adorable, a dinner simply because I showed up, like I was actually worth celebrating.

He opens the car door like always, “You wore a tie,” he said, grinning a little too much.

I arch a brow. “Didn’t know a tie would do it for you.”

“It doesn’t,” he says, leaning just close enough. “ You do.”

And somehow, that shut me right up.

He steps back a little, eyes still on me. “You okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You’ve had a few drinks, right?”

“A few,” I mutter, smoothing my tie like it was misbehaving. “I’m fine. It’s just alcohol.”

It’s only a few seconds of happiness in a glass. Borrowed calm.

He didn’t push, he just brushed a hand along the back of my neck and kissed the side of my head like he wasn’t asking permission.

“You sure?”

“ No ,” I reply. Too honest.

But he nods, and kisses my temple. “Alright. Let’s get this dinner over with… then I’ll take you home.”

“And what, tuck me in?”

“Mmh. Exactly. Sing you a lullaby too.”

“Tempting.”

He kisses me again, softer this time. “Come on, let’s go.”

His large hand grabs mine without warning, that way he had of acting like it’s nothing, like this constant physical contact should be natural.

Meanwhile, I feel like it’s burning a little.

We climb the stairs. With him never letting go. Not for a second.

At the top, two men to the left, two to the right. Posted, straight, locked down. Maximum security . I give my name. One of the guys nods.

Through the glass, Zanae sees me. Right away.

She smiles, gives me a little wave, and approaches.

Still as beautiful. Maybe even more so tonight.

Her red, backless dress fits her perfectly. And on her back, I see a tattoo as she moves ahead of us, guiding us inside the room.

A dahlia, stars, scars .

A quote in Russian, fine and deeply rooted on her skin.

I don’t understand immediately. But Damir does, and he smiles, barely visible.

“Why are you smiling?” I ask, quieter than I expected.

He leans in, right against my ear. “Volkov is very possessive.”

And then I get it. He’s the one who tattooed her. Her man.

I furrow my brow a little. “And that makes you laugh?”

He shrugs calmly. “I’d do the same. I’d mark you as ‘Viper’s Partner. ’”

I laugh. “No. I don’t think so.”

And his hand slides, slowly. Too low to be innocent. Too possessive to be wise. His fingers brush my lower stomach through the fabric, enough to short-circuit my voice. “Yes. Right there. No one will dare look… except me .”

I stare at him, his gaze is calm, almost gentle, then he smiles. “You’re blushing.”

I chuckle a little, a bit confused. “It’s the vodka.”

He doesn’t get to answer. We’re already in front of Nikolai, Elijah, and Ben.

Zanae slips naturally next to Elijah, without looking at him.

And he, without seeing her, reaches out as if his body already knows she’s there. As if her absence created a gap his gesture comes to fill. Fascinating .

Damir extends his hand, calmly shaking theirs.

“It’s been a while.”

They each nod and introduce themselves. Nikolai looks at me with a mischievous smile. “Coming with your partner today, Azra?”

I smile too, a little sideways. I glance at Damir. “Let’s just say he would have come anyway.”

We stayed there for a while, talking. Small talk, half-silences.

Damir exchanges a few words with Elijah and Nikolai. And then I see Alexander. Judging by his smile, he sees me too.

He raises his glass like an invitation. He’s clearly happy to see me.

“He’s pissing me off.”

I jumped a little. Damir’s voice, right against my ear. Low. Tense . “You think killing him would make me feel any less stressed?”

I glanced at him, eyebrows raised, amused almost. “So jealous. Can’t even say hello without you losing it?”

“He’s still watching you,” Damir murmurs, “Like he’s imagining you naked again.”

I smirk. “You did too.”

His voice drops, “No. Correction . I undressed you, ate you out on my kitchen counter, and fucked you until you passed out.”

I grin, eyes daring, the messy weekend flashing back in my mind. “I didn’t pass out.”

He leans closer, lips brushing my ear, smiling stupidly. “Should we try again? See if you’ll pass out this time, then? He can watch all he wants, then I’ll kill him.”

I laugh softly. “You’re insane.”

He leans in, voice low and confident. “I am. Be careful. If he comes near you, tell him to fuck off.”

I wink, stepping back. “Still insane. I’m going to get a drink. Try not to miss me too much.”

I head to the bar and grab a drink.

No alcohol this time. I’ve had enough. And after barely a few seconds, I feel someone sit down beside me.

Alexander . He sits next to me. And his smile already has that too-certain tone.

“ Voron . You’re stunning tonight.”

Something about his gaze unsettles me. Maybe it’s that I have a hard time with men in general and Damir was the exception. But my body doesn’t like this closeness. I want to wipe that smile off his face.

“Thank you.”

“You came with your crazy ex-partner again?”

“He’s actually my partner. Haven’t you heard of his name before?”

He smiles falsely and orders a neat whiskey. “Yeah... I even did some digging on him.”

“You must have found something, right?”

He nods and says, “A lot. About you too.”

I frown and don’t even get to answer before Nikolai and Zanae appear beside me.

“We’re going to have to steal her away, dear Alexander, we have things to discuss.”

Nikolai signals me to follow. Zanae stays back a little longer and says to him, “Alexander, you should learn not to surprise my guests when they’re having a good time. I hate that. And you know what happens when I hate something.” Her voice is cold, threatening.

She smiles at me and walks by my side.

We move away, the three of us, and she murmurs, “ Men . Fucking annoying sometimes.”

It makes me laugh. Niko laughs too. “ Little Z , you really need to learn to hide that hatred for men, I’m starting to think you hate me too.”

She laughs and says, “Never.”

We end up outside, only the three of us. Nikolai offers me a cigarette, which I accept, and I ask, curious, “Why did you bring me out here?”

Zanae looks ahead before answering, “I know you’re leaving tomorrow, and you probably have a mission to follow up on, but if you learn anything new about The Veil, send me a message. We’re still hunting members of that organization here, and things are really turning in our favor.”

I nod, and Nikolai continues, “You’ve got unlimited resources now that you’re with us, Azra. If you need anything when you leave, just call me. You don’t have to go through Viktor anymore. Brian’s here to help if you need information, and Zanae’s here too.”

I look at them, smoke, and smile, “Thank you. I have a meeting with someone tomorrow who might give us info when I get back. I’ll send you a report if I find anything.”

Please, let this meeting be useful.