Page 24 of Eternal

DAMIR

“West Coast” by Lana Del Rey

Present

T he sky looks good today.

It’s like the ones we would watch back then after our missions. Vlad used to say it looked like the sun was blushing because the moon was coming. He was stupidly romantic. Oleg was a romantic too. I can’t even miss them, because I always see them in the sky.

And today, it’s beautiful. Bright, but not too much, yellowish and sweet, like the end of my cigarette.

I stood next to my bike, smoking as I waited for her. I had my helmet hanging loosely in one hand, while I looked out across the compound gates.

She was late.

Or maybe I was really early.

Military habits probably.

The sound of a bike roaring to life cut the atmosphere, and I could feel the vibration in my chest before I even saw her. She came into view, really fast and aggressive, the engine of her bike screaming through the empty street.

Fucking hot.

She took the turn into the lot, leaning low into the curve, and I couldn’t help but watch, my cigarette halfway to my lips. When she pulled up next to me, the engine cut off, and the first thing I noticed was the look on her face.

She didn’t smile.

Didn’t acknowledge me at first. Of course . Instead, she took off her helmet with that same damn coldness I’d seen earlier. But as soon as her eyes locked onto mine, something changed.

“Late,” I said, tossing my cigarette to the ground and crushing it underfoot.

She raised an eyebrow, looking back at me, “Oh I didn't see you there. Hi.”

“Is that your way of asking me to forgive you?” I said approaching her.

“And for what reason should I beg for your pardon?” She replied, her head turning toward me.

I huffed a laugh, shaking my head. “For being late.”

She then brushed past me, not even sparing me a glance. “Check your watch.”

I glanced at it, the tension in my jaw tightening when I saw she was exactly on time.

She glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “You waited for me outside, didn’t you? Kinda cute.”

She looked good. Damn fucking good.

I fell into step beside her, I couldn’t help but watch her silhouette.

“We don’t even know what the mission is yet, do we?” I asked, breaking the silence.

She didn’t look at me but replied in a low, almost bored tone, “We’ll find out when we get inside.”

“You’re awfully calm,” I said, letting my gaze drift over her. “I expected a little... tension.”

She glanced at me sharply, her eyes narrowing like I’d insulted her. “You think I get nervous? I’ve been doing this alone before you, Damir.”

A slow smile spread across my face, genuine and a little smug. “I remember you being nervous when I approached you at the party. So yeah, I know for a fact you do, Voron.”

“I should’ve killed you then. You’re annoying,” she said, almost smiling.

It’s funny, she indirectly threatened me, yet here she is, looking cute with a splash of pink across her face. A killer and a blush don’t usually mix, but on her, it’s almost unfair how tender it looks.

We entered the complex together and went upstairs to meet Viktor and Katarina in his office.

Vik didn’t look up as we entered, but Kat’s eyes flickered over us, lingering a second too long on me, then shifting quickly to Voron.

Talking about her, she is already leaning against the table, arms folded, her sharp gaze fixed on Vik.

Katarina leans back in her chair, eyes scanning the documents laid out before her.

Vik slams a hand down on the table slowly, drawing all our attention. “You two will be heading out for a high-priority target. We had a shipment we’ve been waiting for, but it was intercepted. We lost contact with it before it even reached the port. It’s critical that we get it back.”

Voron’s eyes narrow slightly, but her face remains calm, calculating.

Vik presses on. “The thing is, if it ends up in the wrong hands, a lot of people are gonna pay for it.”

I feel Voron’s body stiffen next to me, but she doesn’t react, not outwardly. Only that subtle shift tells me she’s in it.

“We’re dealing with high-end weapons, some of them aren’t even for us. If we don’t get it back, and quickly, the fallout’s going to be... catastrophic.”

Vik’s gaze shifts between Voron and me, his unspoken warning is loud and clear: Failure’s not an option.

Voron leans forward and speaks. “You know who’s got it, don’t you?”

Vik doesn’t blink. “We’ve got leads, but nothing solid yet. What we do know is that the shipment’s been rerouted to a city near Vegas. We need you to find it, get it back, and make sure no one’s left alive to talk about it. You’ll have Moretti’s people covering your back there.”

Vik leans in closer, his eyes locking onto mine like a challenge.

“One last thing.” His voice drops low. “This is your first mission as a duo. So, if anything goes wrong, if you mess up or if anything happens to her,” He nods toward Voron, his voice turning even colder. “I’ll personally hunt you down, Damir. Do I make myself clear?”

I want to laugh. Hunt me down? That’s such a reckless threat.

But I need to play my partner role perfectly, so I smile quietly before replying. “I’ll protect her.”

Voron’s eyes flick to me briefly before turning back to Vik. “Since when do I need protection, Vik? Don’t insult me like that.”

Vik shakes his head slightly, the ghost of a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. “ Kroshka , I want to make sure you’re safe. That’s why I paired you two together.”

I can feel my jaw tighten, barely holding back the urge to scoff. I hate how he doesn’t seem to know the first thing about what she’s capable of, how he hovers around her like some kind of damn guardian.

Maybe it’s jealousy.

Hell, maybe I don’t know. It’s not like I’ll have to compete for her attention.

Kat leans forward, shifting the focus of the conversation.

“Everything’s in place for you two. The car’s ready for pick-up.

You’ll be operating as a couple of high-end mercenaries, no one will question you when you get there, not even the rebellious faction of the Cosa Nostra.

The Don is tight with the Bratva, so you’ll be covered for your stay. ”

Voron doesn’t bat an eyelash, she silently agrees and rises, giving a small nod. Kat follows her quietly, and I get up to do the same, but Viktor’s voice stops me.

“Damir,” Vik grumbles, his eyes still locked on me. “This is the first time I’m sending her with someone I don’t know well enough. I don’t joke about her safety, even if I repeat myself. She’s my family. And if you ever think about hurting her?—”

“I won’t,” I cut in. “Have a lovely day, Viktor. I’ll join my partner for the mission now.”

As if I’d screw up a mission this intriguing by letting her die.

Not before I uncover exactly what I was sent to find out.