Page 56 of Vintage

I had a pretty good idea of what he meant.

Reese had filled me in on it. About Luhak. The more we uncovered, the more delicate the information became, needing to be kept under wraps.

I leaned back, swirling the last bits of my liquor, watching Luhak passionately dive into his latest ideas on genetic manipulation. The flickering light danced across his face, emphasizing his intense eyes that sparkled with the excitement of a mad scientist.

Mad scientist. The term rang in my head, reminding me of what Reese had shared and the files Dimitri had managed to dig up.

“You see, Amir,” Luhak said, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret, “the possibilities are endless! Just imagine merging the strength of an ox with the speed of a cheetah. We could completely change what it means to be human!”

I put on a fake smile, but inside, I was boiling. I knew exactly who Luhak was—the infamous scientist who had shattered every ethical boundary in his twisted quest for knowledge. “But what about the moral implications?” I attempted to redirect the conversation, though it felt pointless. This guy had zero morals or ethics.

“Moral implications?” Luhak sneered, his face twisting in disdain. “Those are just shackles that hinder progress. Humanity has always advanced through experimentation, often at a steep price. It’s just how discovery works!”

I nodded slowly, trying to hide my unease. “And what about the lives at stake? You can’t just play god without facing the fallout.”

Luhak leaned in, a spark of madness flickering in his eyes. “Every breakthrough demands sacrifice. So, tell me, would you be willing to sacrifice for progress, Amir?”

Not a chance. Progress can take a hike.

Before I could reply, Luhak’ s phone buzzed, and he checked the screen. “Sorry, I need to take this,” he said, standing up abruptly. As he turned to leave, I noticed a change in his demeanor, as if something more urgent had caught his attention.

I didn’t mind him leaving. My part was done. Now it was Dimitri's turn.

As Luhak made his way to the bar exit, my eyes shifted to Amery, who had been quietly listening in from a nearby table. I had no idea when she got so close, but it seemed Luhak hadn’t noticed her either.

Her gaze locked onto mine, a hint of dread brushing across her features. Her eyes were wide, caught in a blend of horror and realization. The weight of Luhak’ s words hung heavily in the air around her.

My heart raced as I stood up, slowly making my way toward her. Each step felt burdened by the truth of Luhak’ s intentions.

As I drew nearer, I could see the fear carving lines into Amery’s face, and when our eyes finally met, I grasped the seriousness of the threat Luhak represented.

“You didn’t have to hear all of that. I told you, why?” I muttered quietly, settling into the seat beside her.

Amery inhaled deeply, her voice shaking. “He wanted you out of the picture, Amir. He mentioned you and… me. He was planning to eliminate you to have me for his experiments.”

A shiver ran through me at the thought of any danger coming her way. Luhak’s twisted nature was no longer just a distant worry; it was a real threat looming over everything I cared about.

“He kidnapped me once,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “I barely got away. I thought he was done with me, but…”

“He’s not,” Amery murmured, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “He’s fixated. I can’t lose you again, Ro. I don’t think I could handle it.”

I cradled Amery's delicate face, making her meet my gaze. A tear slipped down her cheek as our foreheads touched, resting against each other. "I will protect you no matter what, even if it means facing Luhak. He thinks he knows me, but he has no clue how fierce I can be when it comes to you."

She nodded, her lips trembling. "I know." Her hands found mine, resting gently on her cheeks. She held them close, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. "I know... I know, Luhak has no idea that touching me will awaken my monster. And he won’t escape unscathed."

She smiled, the sadness melting away as she pressed her lips to my knuckles once more.

I leaned in, capturing her lips with mine, the kiss gentle yet filled with unspoken feelings. As her eyes fluttered shut, she let go, embracing the moment and the weight of our shared fears and desires.

There was a slight hesitation in our touch, a reminder of unwelcome memories. Conflicted feelings swirled within her—betrayal clashed with understanding, but deep down, she knew that if given the choice, I would always choose her.

My trust rested in her trust. I believed she would see beyond everything. We were taking it one day at a time.

As I pulled back, I looked into her eyes, searching for reassurance. She smiled, her lips slightly parted as she caught her breath.

I took her hand, leading her to the dance floor, where dim lights twinkled like stars above us. As we swayed to the soft rhythm of the music, the world around us faded, leaving just the two of us wrapped in a moment that felt both intimate and electric.

Our bodies brushed against each other, a gentle dance of seduction. I traced my fingers along her back, igniting a warmth that spread across her skin.

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