Ugh, what am I doing here? I found myself parked in front of Viktor's place, not even realizing I'd turned off the main road. One minute I was lost in a daydream, the next my foot's hitting the brake and my hand's on the gearshift in park.Great. Just great.Staring at the locked gate, I chewed on my lip. Sneaking in again was definitely not the plan. So why was I even here? There was nothing to gain from staring at a metal barrier. Yet, something...something drew me to this place.Viktor, maybe? The guy was shrouded in mystery, and I've always been a sucker for a good puzzle. What was the big deal with him anyway? Why was Greyson paying me to dig up dirt on a photographer? Was it just the pictures, or was there something more? And why the intense need for privacy? Gated entrance, mile-long driveway, living in the middle of nowhere - it all seemed a bit much for a city girl like me. Maybe, just maybe, if I ever got to talk to the guy, I'd get some answers.Well, brooding wouldn't get
I was mindlessly eavesdropping, catching snippets of conversations around the diner.Suddenly, a name snagged my attention Viktor. I swiveled on my stool, searching for the source. Two women chatted at a nearby table, then a group of men... Finally, in the far corner, I spotted them.Discreetly, I scooted closer, grateful for my good hearing. "...Viktor's busy fixing up that old place he bought from the Nelsons," a man with greying temples was sayingHis calloused hands, strong even holding a coffee cup, spoke of hard work. Despite his newish jacket, I pegged him as an auto mechanic with grease smudges under his nails. Proud of my deduction skills, I turned to the other man, who I assumed was a farmer."Thanks Ben," he said. "Love that old truck. Doesn't need to be done right away... if Viktor even has time.""Alright then," Ben replied. "I'll give him a call. Actually, he'll be here tomorrow. Covers for me on Mondays, pumps gas and fixes stuff while I catch up on paperwork. I'll ment
I drove back to the cabin, stopping first at the Kennedys' house. It was a simple brick ranch with a few scraggly bushes in the yard and some hopeful spring bulbs peeking through the dirt. I snuck around to the back door, hoping they wouldn't think I was being too forward, just dropping by to see if there were any messages.As it turned out, they were perfectly happy to help. Stephan even had news, Viktor was considering my request and would get back to me in a few days. I thanked them, trying to hide my disappointment at the vague answer. Back in the car, I drove around the wooded area between their house and the cabins.Parking, I slumped in the seat, a dark cloud hanging over me. "Considering it?" "Get back to me in a few days?" Who did he think he was? Some kind of famous artist? This was a huge opportunity for him! If Greyson liked the article, Viktor could be a star. His name and work splashed across the art world. Galleries, talk shows, sky-high prices for his photos, people
Okay, calming down, I took a deep breath and explained what I found to Beth, trying to keep my voice steady. She listened intently, then frowned and called Josh in from the den. Apparently, staying out of the way when your wife is painting is one of the secrets to a long and happy marriage, according to Beth.After hearing the story, Josh furrowed his brow and decided to check things out himself. "Hold off on the police for now," he said. "This is a small town, and we don't have our own force. The OPP - the Ontario Provincial Police - are in charge, but it covers a big area. It could take an hour for a patrol car to get here, depending on where they are. I'll take a look around the cabin. If someone really broke in, then we'll call.""But what if there's someone still inside?" I worried, twisting my hands together. The thought of Josh facing a dangerous intruder made my stomach clench."Honey, did you have anything super valuable in there?"I mentally scanned my bags. "Not really. Ju
Viktor's POVFrustration bubbled up in my chest as Stephan's laughter echoed through the room. He was just teasing, I knew, but his words stung a little more than they should have."Easy there, Viktor," he goaded, amusement lacing his voice. "If she's just some human female, why let her get to you?"I gritted my teeth. "How many times do I have to tell you? She's not getting to me.""Sure, boss," he said, skepticism dripping from the word. "I must have imagined why you kept Daniel and me away from her yesterday."Heat crawled up my neck. "The less she saw of the pack, the better," I muttered, trying to sound indifferent."And the less she drove herself around with a concussion, right?" he countered, a knowing smirk spreading across his face."She was dizzy," I defended, my voice clipped. "It wasn't safe."Stephan's smirk widened. "And what about last night, Viktor?" I spun around, ready to deny his accusation, but he cut me off with a chuckle. "You said you were going to see Lucy, but
Leon Aldrich's povt stiffly in the burgundy plush chair, directly in front of the large, leather-topped desk. The room was dimly lit and cool, despite having the means to pay for better lighting and heating. I paid no attention to my surroundings; the walls lined with leather-bound books, the stone fireplace, the expensive Persian rug, and old oak flooring. I knew they were there, but I kept my focus straight ahead. My hands rested on the report in my lap, my finger tapping impatiently on the manila cover.I watched my lawyer, Anthony Greyson, with grim amusement. He never showed his displeasure through words or expressions; the tapping finger was his only sign of disappointment with my decision. Finally, after waiting for him to break, which he never did, I shifted in my chair and spoke. "So, is there anything else to report?""No, sir. Ms. Watson's file remains unchanged. She has a distant yet cordial relationship with her mother. There are no close friends or romantic interests i
Adriana's povI pulled into a parking spot on Stump River's main street, shutting off the engine. It was Monday morning, and the town was practically deserted. A few cars dotted the street in front of sleepy shops, and pedestrians strolled leisurely on the sidewalks a pace I'd never experience in the Chicago rush.For a moment, I just sat there, absorbing the scene. No exhaust fumes, no angry honking, no towering buildings blocking the sun. Life here seemed impossibly quiet, almost like stepping back in time.I scanned the street until my eyes landed on my target: Miller's Service Station across the way. The low brick building was painted white with a red and blue sign proudly displaying the owner's name and hours. A single pump sat out front, flanked by two large garage bays for repairs. The front office had a big plate glass window, offering a clear view inside no metal bars here, I noted absently. Someone was moving around, but the glare from the sun made it impossible to tell wh
I sat up straighter, took a deep breath to calm myself, and straightened my clothes. Then, I casually glanced across the street. Darn it! He was still inside. I'd been hoping for just one more glimpse... No! Stop that. He was practically an interview subject, and getting personally involved was a bad idea. It clouded your judgment about what they said. Besides, Viktor was with Lucy, and I didn't poach on another woman's territory.A tiny voice in my head chimed in, reminding me that the waitress had made the relationship sound pretty loose maybe more "friends with benefits" than anything. I grimaced. It didn't matter either way. Sure, the guy was undeniably good-looking a sexy, bad-boy kind of vibe – but I barely knew him. The little conversation we had wasn't exactly friendly. Lucy could have him... couldn't she? Then why did the thought of him with the waitress bug me so much? I realized I was scowling and forced myself to relax my face.Throwing my hands up figuratively in defeat