Page 18 of Secrets

But of course, just like any good high, the crash was inevitable, and that’s exactly what happened. I crashed.Hard. But instead of dropping into the pits of despair, I found myself hyper focused. I shifted from addicted to consumed. I had decided to dig deeper not only into Alexi, but into Noxus itself, along with the intoxicating effect it has, and since then it’s been my very reason for getting out of bed for the past couple of years. My why. The thing that would stave off the sadness.

Sometimes, however, I think I’m running out of steam, and becoming uninterested. I consider letting this go and focus on the other shit going on in South Carolina that’s arguably much more prevalent. But then I get close again. Something happens to make me realize Icansolve what everyone has warned me was impossible from the beginning. Warned me that the end result wouldn’t be worth the journey. A challenge not worth solving.

Too bad I love a good puzzle, especially a difficult one. Not to mention I’m also annoyingly stubborn. It’s long overdue that someone knocks that piece of shit down a peg. Alexi is way too goddamn arrogant, and call it jealousy, but I loathe how the system bends for him. How he can break law after law and walk away from the consequences with a smile and a wink. All the while, continuing to corrupt the entire city like a poison, leaching so much evil into the streets, they don’t even seem to notice anymore.

Even worse, his escalating pissing match with the cartel in Georgia is becoming more of a problem. One that I’m pretty sure will be front and center at every morning’s briefing if it continues. And if that happens, I doubt I’ll have even a second of a lunch break to spare. So it’s now or never.

Pulling in front of a long row of shops, my eyes scan over every last detail. The exterior of the long strip is covered in a deep red brick, with black iron framing both the windows and doors creating an appealing pop of contrast. There’s a cafe, a bodega, a cute bookshop, a salon, and…a florist at the end right where the manufacturer should be.

Glancing at my GPS again, I double-check the address. After confirming, I pull up the internet search, clicking on the website. It’s very outdated, but doesn’t say anything about not being open anymore, or replaced or merged with another store.

Groaning inwardly, I glance at the little florist store again.

An A-frame sign rests out front with a fairly intricate chalk drawing of tulips and advertisement of a current special under the shop’s name. Above it are a few plants hanging from the awning. The bright green leaves trailing over the pots give the storefront a quaint appeal. Even with the overcast sky that seems to be a permanent weather pattern in Noxus, paired with the vacancy of the parking lot that makes it a tad eerie, it’s still cute.

Shoving my gear into park, I exit my car. Glancing around and finding nothing or no one out of place, I head for the shop, hoping the person working can give me some insight as to where or if the place I’m looking for even exists.

When I push the front door of Baudelaire’s open, a bell signals my entrance at the same time I’m immediately assaulted with air so pungently fresh, I’m pretty sure it clears my sinuses from my childhood.

The interior of the boutique is absolutely covered in vibrant greenery. Vines and tendrils stretch from every available surface overhead, while rows of sleek metal bins line the walls, teeming with an assortment of plants and flowers. I can make out some common potted herbs like rosemary and sage, while others I’ve never seen in my life. There’s a long table running down the center, a few vases, some more metal bins with floral stems and a slew of neatly organized ribbon resting on the back.

It’s picturesque, and not unlike any other floral shop I’ve ever seen, but the surprise awaiting me at the back, emerging from a row of beads covering a door, is anything but.

Red curls, barely contained in a bun, delicious curves, accentuated by a knee length white dress, and green eyes that could swallow my soul whole.

Elena stops short when her gaze connects with mine.

For a moment that lasts less than a second, surprise flickers over her stunning face. Perfectly arched brows tic together, lush lips part, and those damned eyes of hers widen. And in that same millisecond, my heart swells and the reason I’m here in the first place slides from my damn memory.

But then, as quickly as her shock appeared, she smothers the tiny emotion out, straightening her spine and moving behind her counter with the grace of a jaguar. “Agent.”

The blockade she puts between us causes annoyance to roll in my gut, but I smash it down as I lift a hand and give her my award-winning smile. “Fancy meeting you here, Red.”

Elena responds to my words with a curt nod. “It is. Quite a way from that charming bar.”

I don’t miss the way her lips turn up at the mention of The Four as I walk closer to the counter. My feet move as if they’re being pulled by an invisible force, and I have to physically make myself take slower steps.

“Not a fan of law enforcement?” I joke. “Or was it the lack of fresh air and clean surfaces?” This, not so much a punch line considering the near sterile environment around me. Everything is orderly and pristine.

She shrugs half heartedly, placing a manicured hand on the counter. “It would be a lie to say the hygienic nature of it didn’t deter me, but I can’t say officers have ever done anything for me, ortome, so I’m rather neutral on that front.”

Somehow, even without obvious tells, I know she’s not being honest—not completely anyway—and Elena’s able to pick up on it. She pushes out a small breath before smirking. “Though, I find them incompetent more often than not.”

“Ah.” I nod. “That can be true on occasion, but see…” I pause, closing the gap until I’m stopped by the thick, wooden butcher top separating us. The air crackles before becoming at least ten degrees hotter. “I’m no officer.”

Her one-sided grin grows as her gaze dips momentarily to my mouth. “I’m well aware,Agent.”

My core tightens at her tone.“So you should have no aversions.”

She cocks a brow. “Who implied I did?”

My mind short-circuits as I lose myself in the mossy green of her eyes. They remind me of a peaceful little patch in the middle of the woods, surrounded by darkness, but glimmer with the faintest glow of the sun.

God, she’s so beautiful.

So gorgeous. So calm. So opposite of me in every way. I want to know more about her. Find out why she’s got my head so damn jumbled.

I speak without stopping myself, thinking about the cafe in the strip. “Come have coffee with me.”

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