Nikolai POV
Some names carry weight. They linger in the air, trailing history and reputation behind them.
But some names do more; they change the very temperature of a room, altering the atmosphere before a word is spoken.
Alexei Volkov belonged to the latter. His presence alone shifted everything, as if the shadows grew deeper just because he was mentioned.
I didn’t move. The file stayed open on my screen, its cold blue light reflecting in my eyes while Viktor stood across from me, watching with a seriousness he rarely showed anyone, least of all me.
He had noticed. Of course he had. He always did. It was part of his charm and part of his curse.
“You know him.”
It wasn’t a question.
I leaned back in my chair, letting the leather creak. “I’ve met him.”
Viktor frowned. “Once?”
“T
