Page 20 of Eternal

DAMIR

“Again” by Noah Cyrus feat XXXTENTACION

Present

M y new partner.

Such a strange contradiction, they gave me a file on her, the murders, the crimes, a rough psychological sketch of someone broken, unstable, dangerous, a ghost with no feelings, a machine even.

But it doesn’t say anything about the way she looks at people.

Didn’t prepare me for the way she’d look in a black dress that makes her look divine.

It doesn’t mention how she tenses when the room gets too loud, or how her eyes always seem somewhere else.

Not lost… detached. It doesn’t say that she doesn’t flinch under a stare.

That part’s the strangest, she doesn’t match the profile.

And I can’t tell if that’s what makes her dangerous, or if it’s what’s so curious about her.

She doesn’t trust me at all. 0%. Of course she doesn’t. Why would she? She doesn’t even know who I am, what I am.

I’ve heard a lot of things about the famous Voron. It’s concerning how someone so brutal can look so beautiful. Effortlessly beautiful, and yet I can see it, that brutality. It’s everywhere around her, it’s in the way her eyes only soften when it’s Viktor or his sister talking to her.

And even then, she looks tense. Like she’s always thinking, always imagining things in her head.

I watch her from across the room, the way her hands tighten when someone gets too close, the tension pulsing under her beautiful, soft and tan skin.

She hides it well, but I see it, I see everything.

They all think they know her, the ones who hired me, the ones who fear her, the ones who want her dead. To them, she’s Voron. That faceless shadow with a gun and personalized bullets.

They don’t see the person beneath,the layers she keeps buried so deep… It’s almost impressive, even to me.

But I see hints of it, I catch glimpses, watching her from afar could’ve never prepared me for the way she actually feels in person.

That’s why they sent me here, to tear her open, split her in half and extract whatever truth she’s hiding before I kill her. Information first, then the clean end of a bullet. A simple job.

It should feel simple, anyway.

But something about her isn’t.

Take Viktor, for example. I caught the way he leaned toward her tonight, how his hand lingered on her arm a second too long, how he spoke to her in a way that felt... close, way too close for my liking.

My jaw tightened without my permission.

What the hell was that? It wasn’t anger, it wasn’t anything logical, only this strange, crawling feeling, like a blade dragged dull over my skin. Disgust?

No… It’s something else, something worse probably.

I didn’t like it, whatever it was, it shouldn’t matter to me who touched her or why, but it did, in some raw, primal way I didn’t recognize.

And when I talked to her?

She smelled... good. Sweet, but not innocent. Warm and cold at the same time. There was danger in it, in her. Something that sank into my veins and stayed there, poisoning my being.

It’s pathetic, really, how someone like her could get under my skin without trying, she doesn’t even know me, doesn’t know the truth about who I am or what I’ve been sent to do. She’s too busy glaring at me, hating the fact that we’re partners now.

It’s almost funny, if only she knew how much I know about her. Her habits, her routines, the way she fights, how she runs on no sleep, the way she cares for dogs that aren’t even hers. And, most of all, the way she gives a damn about the two people she’s stuck with.

She’s not untouchable, no one is, but the thought of killing her, finishing this mission, isn't as satisfying as it should be.

I’ll enjoy this, though, chipping away at her, making her vulnerable to me, watching her break for me.

She won’t make it easy but that’s fine, the harder she fights, the more fun it’ll be.

And maybe, I’ll figure out why the hell she’s making me feel things I don’t have a name for.

I watch her walk out of the dining hall, I wait a few moments, long enough to avoid suspicion, then make my exit.

A little chit chat with my target.

I spot her by a treeline, sitting on the stairs, surrounded by two massive dogs. It’s a curious sight, Voron playing with animals, softly looking at them.

It’s always so interesting to see that.

Obviously, I already knew about these two, but experiencing it is different.

I approach her slowly, making sure my footsteps are only loud enough for her to hear. The dogs go on alert immediately, their bodies tense, their eyes locked on me. Smart animals.

They really love her.

“Can’t handle the noise inside, partner?” I ask, leaning against the railing.

She glances back, her dogs shifting at her feet. “Something like that. Needed air. A strange man seems to have stolen it.”

A laugh escapes me, because I know she’s talking about the way I’ve been watching her all night. Some might call it eye-fucking, but for me, it’s more like observing…maybe obsessing .

I simply… notice too much.

But she doesn't need to know that.

I smirk, folding my arms. “Should I return it then to make you happy?”

“No need, you can keep it now.” Her eyes flick over me, pretty as ever, before landing on my mouth. “Are you still nursing that busted lip?”

A low laugh rumbles out of me. “Ah, so you did notice.”

“Hard not to. I did that.” Her voice is light, but there’s a glint in her eyes, something self-satisfied and proud. “It’s giving you that dangerous look. I bet you like it.”

She’s fucking insane.

“You’re proud of that?” I ask, touching the faint bruise like it still stung. It doesn’t, but her reaction is worth the act.

“Proud? No.” She shrugs, leaning down to scratch one of the dogs behind the ear. “Only wondering if I should aim lower next time, partner.”

The dark amusement bubbling up inside me is impossible to hide. “Careful. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, it wouldn’t be that fun if I was that weak, don’t you think?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” she mutters, but the sarcasm in her smile is almost funny.

“Good,” I say. “And for the record,” I add, stepping a little closer, “I take good care of my partners.”

Her brow arches at that, her fingers stilling on the dog’s head. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“You’ll see it,” I reply, letting my voice drop. “One way or another.”

The dogs shift again, I glance down at them, noticing the bigger one baring its teeth ever so slightly.

“Looks like someone’s not sold on me yet,” I remark, nodding toward the dog.

“Smart,” she responds, standing straighter. “Makes two of us, then.”

I let out a quiet, measured laugh. “At least the other one seems to like me.” I nudge toward the smaller dog at my feet, the one not currently eyeing me like I’m its next meal.

She shakes her head, turning back toward the horizon, but her lips twitch like she’s fighting a smile.

The silence between us stretches, long enough for her to relax, though she won’t admit it.

“You know,” she says after a moment, “if you’re going to keep following me around, you might as well make yourself useful.”

“And how would you suggest I do that?”

“Start by answering some questions.”

The party rages inside, but out here in the courtyard, it’s only us. We sit together on the stone steps, shoulders brushing, close but not quite touching, the dogs are sprawled at our feet, one’s sprawled out lazily, and the other’s still sniffing around, keeping an eye on us.

I light her cigarette, the flame dancing in her eyes. She takes it without a word, her fingers brushing mine. It’s the smallest touch, but the heat lingers, too damn intimate.

She takes a drag from the cigarette, watching me closely. I knew she was a smoker, I'd seen her do it every time as if to relieve tension. The way she held the cigarette, how the smoke trailed from her lips like she was trying to exhale the weight of the world.

But seeing it now, with the night air making her exhale smoke in little puffs, there’s something almost too perfect about it. She leans back against the stone, one leg crossed over the other.

“Never thought you were a smoker,” I lied.

She takes a long drag, her eyes on mine now, a faint smile curving her lips. “Better cigarettes than drugs, don’t you think?”

I raise an eyebrow at that, she’s got a melancholic edge in her tone now, like something darker hides behind the words, something I’d bet most people wouldn’t see if they didn’t know how to look.

She’s seen the shit I’ve seen, lived it, maybe.

Fascinating even more.

I watch as she exhales slowly, the smoke curling in the cool night air, like she’s making sure it’s all gone. Like she wants to breathe out whatever past she’s hiding. Her pouty lips curl as the smoke escapes, and I’m tempted to touch them, to see how soft and full they feel under my fingers.

She’s really stunning in person, up close, it’s even harder to look away. This time, her hair is straight, long strands cascading down her back like silk, her eyes are heavy with lashes.

Long, thick, dark.

I’m staring, I know I am, but I can’t help it.

I’ve been doing it all night long, from the moment she walked in with her friend Katarina, my eyes found her, locked onto her, and my soul followed.

“You’re right,” I say, keeping my voice even. “Still unhealthy for you.”

She smirks, the kind of smirk that tells me she knows exactly what I mean, even if I’m not saying it all. She slides her fingers over the filter and hands it to me without a word.

I take it from her, our fingers brushing for a second. I don’t break eye contact, taking a long drag. She’s still watching me, eyes sharp like knives, and for a moment, we barely breathe, our lungs full of smoke.

I hand the cigarette back to her, my fingers lingering for a moment too long on hers.

“How old are you, anyway?” she asks, not even looking up.

“Thirty-seven,” I reply.

She raises an eyebrow. “Old.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Is that what you’re going with?”

“Yes. Old,” she repeats with a smirk. “And you still think you can keep up with me?”

I step closer, our thighs brushing lightly. Her skin is warm. Her fingers are cold though. “You tell me. And you, how old are you, partner?”

She flicks ash off her cigarette, her gaze never leaving mine. “Twenty-five.”

I laugh, the sound almost too easy. “ With all that attitude. ..” I whisper. “You’re barely out of diapers, remember that.”

A small chuckle escapes her lips, “Still the one who gave you that busted lip.”

“I don’t mind the scars if you’re the reason behind it, partner.”

She laughs and takes another drag, her lips parting slightly as she exhales the smoke in a thin, sharp stream. “At least you’ve got some stories to tell, right?”

I glance at her, my lips curling into a smirk. “Plenty. Experience gave me lots of skills.”

She chuckles, the sound playful but edged with something else. “Maybe one day you’ll share them. If I can’t get you to talk, I’ll make you.” She lets the words linger in the air for a moment before letting out a breath, and then she drops the next question. “Why’d you go to prison?”

I don’t flinch. I don’t even hesitate, I’ve gotten used to people asking, only taking off some details she doesn't need to know.

“I didn’t get caught,” I say, but my tone makes it clear I’m not giving her the full story.

Her eyes don’t leave mine. “Why Russia, why not here?”

I take another drag, letting the cigarette burn between my fingers. “Why not Russia?”

She raises an eyebrow. “Not everyone gets into the Bratva for fun. You had a reason.”

I shift, but she’s already looking at me like she knows I’m lying. It’s not even about the words, it’s the way she reads everything else, my hands, the way I sit, the way I avoid certain details.

Smart girl.

Her eyes flicker to the dogs for a moment, she can’t stop the edge of irritation from creeping into her voice now. “Nice try,” she says. “But if you want to keep sitting here with me, you better be a hell of a lot more honest.”

I smile, but it’s not because I want to. It’s because the way she looks at me, the challenge, the defiance in her gaze, it’s fucking turning me on. But why?

She leans forward slightly, one leg tucked underneath her, and the scent of her skin mixes with the smoke. She’s still waiting for an answer, the kind of answer she knows I’m not going to give her.

I don’t need to say anything else, my smile speaks louder than any words. “Want to know more about me?” I ask, my voice quiet.

She leans back again, dragging on the cigarette. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just bored...”

She shifts again, the dogs curling closer to her, and for a second, I’m not sure if it’s the dogs, or me, or the weight of this conversation that’s making my heart soft enough to smile. Genuinely smile.

They act as if they've known her affection all their lives, and she smiles, giving them a pat and playing with them.

I want to know more about her, I want to know all her secrets, the ones she’s hiding under that tough exterior. The one behind her identity, the one behind her scar too. But I know better than to push her too hard. She’s not like the others I had to stop before, she’s smarter than that.

And I’m not the kind of man who gets caught up in things, not anymore, but right now, I think I might be.

I watch her rise, her body moving with that confident, effortless grace. She flicks her cigarette butt into the ground and grinds it out under her heel. Her eyes find mine one last time, and the damn smile never leaves her face.

“Thanks for answering, but I still don’t like you,” she says, her voice smooth, like it’s nothing but a passing thought.

I tilt my head, giving her a small smirk. “Anything for my partner,” I reply, watching her closely.

She doesn’t miss a beat, her tone turning sly as she starts to walk away, her movements almost provocative.

“Stop looking at my ass,” she says over her shoulder. “It’s inappropriate for two business partners, don’t you think?”

I pause for a moment, holding back a chuckle, but I’m already getting lost in the sway of her hips. She’s got this power over me I can't quite explain, it’s infuriating and magnetic at the same time. “Got to make sure you enter the venue safely.”

She doesn’t look back, but I catch the subtle curve of her smile before she slips inside, leaving me alone craving her presence already.

I take another drag of my cigarette, trying to stop the smile tugging at my lips.

I’m gonna have so much fun.