CLAUDE
I wouldn't do that to him.
Not again.
I heard the car before I saw it. The low purr of an engine pulling into the compound, the crunch of tires over gravel. I didn't need to look to know it was him.
My chest tightened. My stomach twisted. I hated how my body reacted before my mind could remind it that this was goodbye.
Fifteen minutes passed. He didn't come to the room.
The anticipation turned into frustration. I didn't bother thinking about it—just moved. Out the door, through the house, following his scent until I stopped in front of a closed door.
I knocked. No response.
I pushed it open.
"I said no one should f*****g disturb me," Nikolai snapped, not even looking up. A half-empty glass sat on the table, cigarette smoke curling through the air. One ha
