chapter one

Chapter One: The Stranger in the Night

The rain fell in heavy sheets, turning the cobblestone streets of the small town into rivers of shimmering water. Alex pulled his thin jacket tighter around his delicate frame, his breath coming in quick, white puffs as he hurried along the nearly deserted road. He cursed himself for not checking the weather before leaving his tiny apartment. The night had started with a soft drizzle, but now, hours later, it had evolved into a torrential downpour.

He was soaked to the bone by the time he reached the alleyway that led to his building. The usual warm lights in the windows of the neighboring houses were dark, as most of the town had already turned in for the night. He shivered, more from the cold than anything else, but a feeling of unease still settled in the pit of his stomach.

Then, a car rolled up beside him. Not just any car—this was a sleek, black luxury vehicle, the kind that didn't belong in a town like this. The kind that whispered of power and danger. Alex hesitated, his instincts telling him to keep walking, to not draw attention. But the car’s tinted window rolled down, revealing a man inside.

"Need a ride?" The voice was deep, smooth, with a hint of something that made the hairs on the back of Alex’s neck stand on end. He turned, blinking away the rain to get a better look at the speaker.

Viktor.

They had met only once before, briefly, in a crowded cafe where Alex had been working to make ends meet. Viktor had been a quiet presence at the back of the room, his intense gaze lingering on Alex as he moved through his shift. Alex remembered how unnerved he had felt then, and yet, he hadn’t been able to shake the thought of Viktor for days afterward.

Now, seeing Viktor again, his heart skipped a beat. The man was even more imposing up close. He had a rugged, dangerous handsomeness about him—sharp jawline, piercing dark eyes that seemed to see straight through Alex. He was dressed impeccably, as if the rain didn’t dare to touch him. In contrast, Alex felt small, fragile, and utterly drenched.

“N-No, thank you,” Alex stammered, taking a step back. But his foot slipped on the wet cobblestone, and before he knew it, Viktor was out of the car, his large hand catching Alex’s arm to steady him.

“Careful,” Viktor said, his voice laced with concern. “You’re going to catch your death out here.”

Alex looked up at him, his breath hitching slightly. Up close, Viktor was even taller, his 190 cm frame towering over Alex’s petite 170 cm. His grip was firm, but not painful, and the warmth of his touch seemed to seep into Alex’s skin, contrasting sharply with the cold rain.

“You really should let me give you a ride home,” Viktor continued, his tone almost coaxing. “I’d hate to see you hurt yourself.”

There was something in Viktor’s eyes, a softness that wasn’t there the first time they had met. Alex felt his defenses crumbling under that gaze. He was tired, soaked, and his apartment was still blocks away. A small voice in the back of his mind told him to say no, to walk away, but another part of him—the part that was cold and vulnerable—wanted to accept the offer.

“Okay,” Alex whispered, his voice barely audible over the rain.

Viktor’s eyes seemed to brighten with satisfaction. He guided Alex to the passenger side of the car, opening the door for him with a gallant gesture. Alex slid into the seat, shivering as the warmth of the car's interior enveloped him. The door closed with a soft click, shutting out the storm and the rest of the world.

As Viktor settled into the driver’s seat, Alex glanced around the interior of the car. It was luxurious, far more than anything he had ever experienced. The seats were buttery soft leather, and the faint scent of Viktor’s cologne lingered in the air—a heady, intoxicating mix of spice and wood.

“Where to?” Viktor asked, his voice pulling Alex from his thoughts.

Alex gave him the address, and Viktor began driving smoothly through the rain-soaked streets. Silence settled between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, Alex found himself relaxing for the first time that night. He glanced sideways at Viktor, noting how his strong hands gripped the steering wheel with effortless control. There was something reassuring about Viktor’s presence, a quiet strength that made Alex feel…safe.

“So,” Viktor said after a moment, breaking the silence, “what were you doing out so late in this weather?”

Alex hesitated, not wanting to admit that he had simply lost track of time wandering around, trying to clear his head. “I just…needed some air,” he said, brushing a damp lock of hair from his forehead. “I didn’t think it would rain this hard.”

Viktor nodded, his gaze flicking briefly to Alex before returning to the road. “It’s dangerous to be out alone at night,” he said, his tone almost fatherly. “You should be more careful.”

Alex swallowed, feeling a bit like a child being scolded. “I know,” he murmured, his voice soft. “I’m sorry.”

Viktor chuckled, a low sound that sent a shiver down Alex’s spine. “No need to apologize,” he said. “I’m just glad I found you before something bad happened.”

They drove in silence for a few more minutes before Viktor spoke again. “You know, you’re a very beautiful man, Alex,” he said, his tone casual but with an undercurrent that made Alex’s heart race. “Delicate, like a rare flower.”

Alex’s cheeks flushed, and he looked down at his hands, twisting them nervously in his lap. He wasn’t used to such direct compliments, especially from someone like Viktor. “Th-Thank you,” he stammered, not sure how to respond.

Viktor didn’t press the matter, and soon they were pulling up in front of Alex’s apartment building. The rain had slowed to a light drizzle, but the night was still cold and dark. Viktor turned off the engine and looked at Alex, his gaze intense.

“Are you sure you’re going to be alright on your own?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Alex hesitated, the warmth and safety of the car tempting him to linger. But he forced himself to nod. “Yes, I’ll be fine,” he said, though his voice wavered slightly. “Thank you for the ride.”

Viktor smiled, but there was something in that smile that made Alex’s heart skip a beat. It was warm, but also possessive, like Viktor was laying claim to something he intended to keep.

“Anytime,” Viktor said softly. “If you ever need anything, Alex…anything at all, you can call me.”

He handed Alex a sleek black card, embossed with Viktor’s name and number. Alex took it, his fingers brushing against Viktor’s as he did. The contact sent a jolt of warmth through him, and he quickly pulled back, slipping the card into his pocket.

“Thank you,” Alex whispered again, feeling oddly breathless.

Viktor nodded, watching as Alex opened the car door and stepped out into the drizzle. The cold air hit him like a slap, making him shiver. He turned to give Viktor one last look, but the window had already rolled up, hiding Viktor from view.

As Alex made his way into the building, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just crossed some invisible line, that his life had just taken a turn he didn’t fully understand. But as he climbed the stairs to his small apartment, he found that he didn’t mind the thought. There was something about Viktor that drew him in, something he couldn’t quite put into words.

And as he curled up under his thin blanket that night, his thoughts lingered on Viktor’s dark eyes, his deep voice, and the way he had looked at Alex as if he were the most precious thing in the world.

For the first time in a long while, Alex felt safe. And that feeling, more than anything else, was what lulled him into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Little did he know, this night was just the beginning.