Page 38 of Nemesync
Nikolai interjects with a laugh, “Well, this should be interesting. The two of you under one roof. What could go wrong?”
Every-fucking-thing could go wrong. He could poison me or strangle me to death. Or I could shoot him right in the head.
Everything.
Elijah and I just look at each other. No sound, just our eyes. It’s a battle of who would make the other one suffer first. I don’t know why he chose me for that, but one thing I know is that I’m not going to let him.
If he wants a fight, then I’ll give it to him.
Nikolai’s voice cuts through the silence, redirecting our focus on the mission, “Our target is Naevio, son of a confirmed high-ranking member of the organization, as you may know. He’ll be attending the event, and Zanae, you’re our ticket to get close to that motherfucker.”
“So, I get to be the pretty dumbass at the party?”
Nikolai nods, “You’ll have to blend in like a pro and be one of them, and, most importantly, charm Naevio. We need information about where his father could be hiding. Lukas is the key to this operation. If we find him, we’ll uncover documents and evidence about every bigwig in the organization.”
Elijah gazes at me, his eyes fixed on mine, but he directs his response to Niko, “You didn’t give me the details of her role for this mission.”
Niko smiles before replying, “I tried to talk to you about it during our training, but you were too busy trying to kill me.”
Elijah rearranges his tie before turning his gaze back to me, “Naevio is his father’s son, even if he’s completely foolish and naive when it comes to women, he can be dangerous.”
I roll my eyes. What could go wrong if I just have to flirt with someone? “I’m training with you. He can’t kill me if you don’t.”
Nikolai chuckles, giving me a high five, “True. It’s settled then.”
He steps out of the room for a phone call, leaving us alone, in a heavy silence.
Elijah is comfortable in it, while I can’t help but want to break it. But he’s enjoying it, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table before using his utensils.
Fucking stillness. I hate it. That’s why music helps me a lot.
Silence can be so deafening that you must mask it all to numb the pain.
Breathe, Z. Breathe.
I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs as I meet Elijah’s intense gaze. He always looks at me with no shame. He didn’t care that I knew he was always watching me; it was as if he even enjoyed it, making that stare feel almost natural.
“What’s on your mind, Zanae?” he asks first, carving into his meal before taking a bite.
“I’m just curious if there’s more to you than those big green eyes.”
A smile tugs at his lips. “So, you do love my eyes.”
I sigh, exhausted by his attitude. “Please Elijah, I can’t help but notice them when they’re always fixated on me.”
He smirks again, a familiar fire dancing in his eyes. “You talk a lot for someone on a secret mission.”
I lean forward, searching in that deep forest in front of me.
The only thing I noticed is that he always does everything rhythmically, as if he’s constantly counting.
Even now, he cuts through his meat 10 times before eating it. He did the same tapping the knife on the table last time—10 times, and then he’ll complete his action.
Why is it so hard when it’s him? It’s the first time I can’t openly read someone. “It seems you’re not one to shy away from conversation either, Elijah.”
His eyes darken, and he leans closer, toying with his knife as if it were a mere plaything. “I was eating before you started flirting.”
I tilt my head, studying him intently. “I wasn’t flirting, you psycho. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
