TANIADetective James's words stirred a flood of memories. I thought back to my previous conversation with Nikolas, the details slowly resurfacing.With them came the tension, rushing back like a wave, and my body reacted instinctively - my fists clenched, knuckles turning white as the pressure built.Steeling myself, I forced a neutral expression and turned to the detective.“It was just a normal conversation,” I said, trying to sound casual. “We greeted each other and asked how we were doing.” I paused, choosing my words carefully.Meanwhile, Detective James listened intently, his pen poised over his notebook as he took notes. “Did he mention meeting anyone or having any plans for later that night?” he asked, his eyes locked on mine, as if searching for any hint of deception.I shook my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. “No, he didn't say anything specific.”The detective nodded, his expression unreadable.“We noticed that you were the last person Nikolas contacted accordi
TANIAWe headed to the hospital together, Zarek insisting on coming along despite my protests. I had initially wanted to face Nikolas alone, concerned about dragging Zarek into an already complicated situation. However, as we settled into the detective's car, his presence beside me was surprisingly comforting. What once felt like a daunting task now seemed almost effortless with him by my side.I couldn't help but think that if I let him, he'd gladly deliver some well-deserved punches to Nikolas.As the detective drove, I glanced at Zarek, who seemed lost in thought. His gaze was fixed on the passing scenery, but his eyes seemed to hold a thousand-mile stare. His hand rested on his knee, fingers drumming absently before curling into a tight fist. The slight movement spoke volumes about the tension building inside him.I wondered what was on his mind, trying to guess what had him so tense.Then, I remembered the flash of anger in his eyes when I told him Nikolas was alive. He wa
ZAREK**FLASHBACK**When Tania called about going to the station for questioning, I felt a surge of concern and guilt. I hadn't expected the police to investigate Nikolas's incident, and their sudden interest only angered me. It seemed hypocritical - when Tania reported Nikolas, the police barely batted an eye, but now that he was injured, they were going overboard to find out who hurt him. “What if they accuse Tania of murder based on her recent conversations with Nikolas?” I thought, my mind racing with worry.Hastily, I agreed to meet Tania at the station as I pushed the unsettling thought aside. Also, I was grateful that I had deleted Nikolas's video and vile messages the other night.I moved out of the Red Sox bar and prepared to meet Tania at the station. Just then, I received disturbing news from a trusted friend and partner in crime: Nikolas survived. What?!I couldn't believe it, neither did my friend who had sabotaged Nikolas's communication network.Sigh, I thought I'
ZAREKA few days later, I received a message from the professional proposal planner I had hired. He inquired about my absence at the garden, the place I had chosen for the proposal. Swiftly, I explained that something unexpected had come up on that same day, and I had to change my plan. He promptly offered an option - a rescheduling option because i didn't go through with the proposal.I could reschedule the proposal for a later date, with an additional fee.I agreed to the option, aware that proposing might be too much for Tania to handle right now. I wanted our proposal to be a perfect, special moment, not something rushed.I suggested we take a break and enjoy a relaxing day together. “How about we ride the Ferris wheel on our day off?” I asked Tania. She agreed, and soon we found ourselves strolling hand-in-hand through the park, surrounded by laughter and colourful lights.The towering Ferris wheel was the first thing that caught my attention, its riders' screams of excitem
ZAREKAs Tania and Ziva walked away, the excitement bubbling in my mind began to fade. It was replaced with nervousness about facing Xander. I didn't know what to do or how to speak to him; he knew my identity as a thief and assassin. He could easily reveal my identity to Tania, and he's not someone who could be threatened or bought into silence.I cleared my throat and mustered enough courage.Then, I turned to Xander and said sweetly, “Hey, long time no see.”He replied, his eyes narrowing slightly, “Certainly, Tania is not aware of what you do for a living.”“Rude, but yes.” I continued, forcing a smile. “And it's not what I do for a living; it's what I did for a living. That is the past.”“Past?” Xander said, sarcasm dripping from his tone, “Yet, you think it's unnecessary to tell your girlfriend. How loving.” Calmly, he walked away, but I followed, walking right next to him.“I know I did a lot of terrible things,” I admitted, my voice softening. “But we can put it aside and
ZAREKAt dawn, I entered the gym in my apartment, ready for my daily workout. Tania was already there, dressed in fitted leggings and a supportive sports bra, focusing on her yoga poses. She had recently switched to exercising to maintain her figure, and I had encouraged her to pursue her goal. As I began my push-ups, I noticed Tania had stopped her routine and was rummaging through the storage cabinets. “What are you looking for?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.Tania replied, “My towel.” I approached her, and together, we searched for it. After a minute of searching, I found it and handed it over to her. As I turned back to the storage cabinets, my eyes landed on a black duffel bag. My heart sank, fearing the worst. I glanced back to ensure Tania was out of sight before unzipping the bag, my curiosity getting the better of me. As I opened it, my mind racing, I was met with a shocking discovery: an arsenal of guns lay inside. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the
ZAREK I couldn't believe what I saw. “Goddess, please, let these be fake images,” I whispered, my eyes scanning the photographs for any sign of photoshop.But the details in the photographs seemed too real - the angle of Bruce's arm, the look of shock on Ramirez's face. I recognized the background, too - the abandoned warehouse in Nikolas's pack, a place my boss often used for meetings. A chill ran down my spine as the truth began to sink in. Then, I turned to Jake, my gaze clashing with his. “What are these?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. Jake's response was laced with satisfaction. “Surprising, right?” he said, his tone dripping with smugness. I felt a surge of panic, my heart racing as my wolf stirred beneath the surface.But I knew. I knew it was true. The evidence was too convincing, the location too familiar. Ramirez and Bruce were really gone. I struggled to keep my composure, but my mind raced with questions. How could this be? Why would anyone...?
ZAREK Jake's eyes flashed with anger and hurt, but he knew better than to cross me.He took a deep breath, his face twisted in a scowl before spitting out his words.“Fine,” he spat, his voice venomous. “I'll tell you. I knew Lizzy was staying in an old warehouse in Nikolas's pack. I thought it would be easy to get to her, but when I arrived, I found chaos. Everything was destroyed, and then I saw them... Ramirez's and Bruce's corpses.”I shook him, my grip on his collar tightening. “What else?”Jake didn't respond and his eyes darted around the room. “What else?!” I growled.He let out a sigh of frustration and replied, “I took pictures as evidence since I knew you wouldn't believe me otherwise.”Then, I raised an eyebrow, sceptical. “And what makes you think I'll believe you now?”Jake's face twisted in desperation. “Screw you, Zarek. I have no reason to lie. I'm just asking for your help, not your trust. Lizzy's in danger, and I don't know how to protect her.”I narrowed my eyes.