The casual confidence in his voice—like my abilities were a foregone conclusion—sent an unexpected warmth through my chest. It had been a long time since anyone had believed in me without question.
"So you can... upgrade electronics?" Nicolai asked, his interest evident in the intensity of his gaze.
I nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious about my ability. Most people who discovered what I could do immediately wanted to use it—and by extension, me—for their own purposes. It was why I'd spent the last five years running, why Patty O'Rourke had his entire organization hunting me down.
"Among other things," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "I can feel the electrical currents, redirect them, enhance them. It's like... speaking a language that only the devices understand."
"Fascinating," Nicolai murmured, and there was something in his eyes that didn't look like someone calculating my monetary value. It looked almost like... appreciation.
Dangerous, that look, more dangerous than anything else about him.
"Perhaps a private demonstration is in order," I suggested with a suggestive smirk, mentally kicking myself even as the words left my mouth. Flirting with the crime boss who was sheltering me from other criminals? Definitely not in the self-preservation handbook.
Yuri made a choked sound of protest. "We have serious security concerns that need addressing immediately. This isn't the time for..." he gestured between Nicolai and me, apparently unable to find words for whatever he thought was happening.
"I agree," Nicolai said, straightening to his full, imposing height. "Security is paramount. Which is why Mishka will inspect and repair all affected systems." His hand moved from my back to my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Yuri will provide access to any areas you need."
The look on Yuri's face suggested he'd rather provide me with access to a shallow grave, but he nodded stiffly. "As you wish."
"And afterward," Nicolai continued, his voice dropping to that deep register that made my stomach do flips, "we will discuss your abilities in more detail. Privately."
The way he said "privately" made heat flood my cheeks. The air between us seemed to crackle with electricity—and for once, it wasn't coming from my fingertips.
"I'll hold you to that," I replied, surprised at the steadiness in my voice given the way my heart was racing.
Yuri looked between us, his expression growing darker by the second. "Shall we begin with the security systems in the basement?" he asked, clearly trying to break whatever was happening between Nicolai and me.
I nodded, reluctantly stepping away from Nicolai's touch. "Lead the way, Watchdog."
As I followed Yuri toward the door, I felt Nicolai's eyes on my back, intense and considering. I glanced over my shoulder to find him watching me with an expression that made my breath catch—part predatory interest, part fascination, and something else I couldn't quite define.
"Don't break anything else," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in what might have been a smile.
I grinned back at him. "No promises, especially if you're involved."
The double meaning hung in the air between us as I followed Yuri out of the office. I had a building full of electronics to fix—electronics I'd probably fried during last night's activities. But all I could think about was the promise of "later" and "private" and the way Nicolai's hands felt on my body.
I was playing with fire or in this case, a very large, very dangerous bear. And despite all my survival instincts screaming at me to run, I couldn't wait to get burned again.
Chapter Eight
~ Mishka ~
I stumbled as Yuri's meaty hand propelled me forward into the basement, his fingers digging into my upper arm like he expected me to bolt at any second. Not that I could blame him. If I'd had any decent escape options, I absolutely would have taken them rather than follow the Watchdog into the bowels of Nicolai's operation.
But when a bear shifter the size of a refrigerator decides you're going somewhere, arguing tends to be counterproductive.
"Watch your step," he growled, which would have been almost considerate if he hadn't simultaneously shoved me toward the concrete stairs.
Thanks for nothing, Cuddly Bear.
The basement was exactly what you'd expect from a criminal organization's headquarters—all concrete, exposed cables, and the persistent hum of server fans that never quite faded into the background.
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting everyone in that sickly pallor that made even Yuri look more corpse than man. The temperature dropped at least ten degrees compared to the main floor and I suppressed a shiver.
Not that I'd give Yuri the satisfaction.
"Nice dungeon you've got here. Very 'evil lair chic.' Do you do torture Tuesdays or is that more of a weekend activity?"
