Chapter Seven #2
Yuri's jaw tightened. "We have a situation," he said, addressing Nicolai while pretending I didn't exist. "Every electronic system in the building is malfunctioning. Security cameras, communication systems, even the restaurant's billing computers—all experiencing unexplained glitches."
His gaze slid back to me, accusation written in every line of his face. "It started early this morning. Around the same time your... guest... was wandering around unescorted."
Nicolai's grip on my hip tightened possessively, pulling me even closer to his side. The protective gesture shouldn't have made me feel so damn good, but there I was, practically purring.
"I've been working on the issues in the penthouse," I said, trying to sound helpful rather than guilty. "Everything up here should be functioning now."
Yuri's eyes narrowed further. "And the rest of the building? The security cameras that went offline in the east stairwell? The payment system in the restaurant that's charging random amounts? The elevator that took three of our men to the basement instead of the lobby?"
Each accusation made Nicolai's grip tighten incrementally until I was practically molded to his side.
"Our IT team can find no explanation," Yuri continued, his voice rising with each word. "No viruses, no hacking attempts, nothing. It's as if the entire system just... decided to malfunction all at once."
Well, technically it hadn't been the system that decided. It had been my body's response to what Nicolai had been doing with his hands… and his mouth… and his—
"Perhaps we need better technicians," Nicolai suggested, his tone deceptively mild. But I could feel the tension in his body, the way he was positioned slightly in front of me now, as if shielding me from Yuri's accusations.
"Our technicians are the best in the business," Yuri countered. "They're saying it's impossible. Like the systems were... tampered with."
The way he emphasized "tampered with" while staring directly at me made his meaning crystal clear.
"Careful, Yuri," Nicolai said, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "You're making accusations without proof."
The two men stared at each other in a silent battle of wills. I could practically smell the testosterone in the air, mixed with something else—something wild and primal that reminded me these weren't just ordinary men having a disagreement.
"I simply find the timing suspicious," Yuri finally said, breaking the silence. "These problems began shortly after he arrived." Another pointed look in my direction. "And now they're spreading throughout the building."
Nicolai's thumb resumed its small circles against my hip, but there was nothing soothing about the gesture now. It felt possessive, claiming. His other hand rested casually in his pocket, but I'd seen how quickly those hands could move when needed.
"I understand your concerns," Nicolai said, his voice calm but with an underlying edge that would make any sane person back down immediately. "But I expect my decisions to be respected, Yuri. Mishka is under my protection. That is not up for debate."
The words sent an unexpected wave of warmth through me, followed quickly by guilt. Because Yuri wasn't wrong. The malfunctions were my fault, even if they were accidental.
Yuri's expression hardened. "The syndicate should be your priority. Not some stray you picked up."
I could feel Nicolai's body tense further, coiled like a spring about to release. Before things could escalate, I decided to intervene.
"I can take a look at the systems downstairs," I offered. "Maybe I can figure out what's wrong."
Both men turned to look at me, Nicolai with surprise, Yuri with undisguised suspicion.
"That won't be necessary," Yuri said coldly. "Our team will handle it."
"Your team hasn't made any progress," I pointed out. "What's the harm in letting me try?"
The look Yuri gave me suggested there could be a great deal of harm, most of it directed at me. But before he could respond, Nicolai spoke.
"An excellent suggestion," he said, and I didn't miss the hint of smugness in his tone. "Mishka will examine the systems. You will provide whatever assistance he requires."
It wasn't a request. Yuri's expression made it clear he'd rather provide me with a one-way ticket to the bottom of the river, but he nodded stiffly.
"As you wish." The words practically dripped with resentment.
I smiled brightly at him, because sometimes I just can't help myself. "Looking forward to working with you, Watchdog."
Yuri's face darkened to an alarming shade of red, and for a moment, I thought I might have pushed too far. But Nicolai's hand, firm and warm on my hip, reminded me I was safe.
For now, anyway.
"I can fix them," I said, letting innocence drip from every syllable. "Most of them, anyway." I batted my eyelashes for good measure, enjoying the way Yuri's face contorted like he'd just bitten into a lemon soaked in vinegar.
If looks could kill, I'd have been six feet under. Lucky for me, Nicolai's hand was still firmly planted on my hip, making it clear I was under his protection—a fact that seemed to infuriate his second-in-command even more.
Yuri scoffed, the sound dripping with derision. "Our top IT specialists can't identify the problem, but you—" he gestured dismissively at me, "—can fix it? How convenient."
I shrugged, taking a casual sip of my coffee. "I'm good with electronics. It's kind of my thing."
"Your 'thing'?" Yuri's eyebrow arched so high it nearly disappeared into his hairline.
"Everyone has a talent," I replied. "Yours is apparently being permanently constipated."
Nicolai's chest rumbled with what might have been suppressed laughter, but his expression remained neutral. "Perhaps a demonstration would be more convincing than words."
Yuri's jaw tightened, but he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a tablet. The screen was flickering erratically, numbers and text jumping across the display.
"This started malfunctioning an hour ago," he said, holding it out like he was offering me a dead rat. "Our tech team said the circuitry is fried."
I set my coffee mug down on Nicolai's desk and took the tablet. The moment my fingers touched the screen, I could feel the device's electronic pulse—erratic and confused. The damage wasn't severe, just a disruption in the normal flow of electricity through its circuits.
Probably my fault.
Oops.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the sensation of the current flowing from my fingertips into the device.
It was like sinking my hands into water and redirecting the flow, guiding it back to its proper channels.
The tablet warmed slightly under my touch as I worked, repairing pathways and strengthening connections.
But why stop there? While I had my hands in the system, so to speak, I boosted the processor speed, optimized the memory allocation, and fine-tuned the display resolution. A little thank you for Yuri's charming hospitality.
Or maybe a middle finger. Depended on your perspective.
The screen glowed brighter for a moment, illuminating my face with an eerie blue light. When I opened my eyes, the display had stabilized, showing Yuri's home screen with perfect clarity. I handed it back to him with a smile that was all teeth.
"Good as new, better, actually."
Yuri took the tablet cautiously, as if expecting it to explode in his hands. His eyes widened slightly as he swiped through screens that responded faster than before. Applications that had previously taken seconds to load now opened instantly.
"What did you do?" he asked, suspicion lacing every word.
"Fixed it," I replied simply. "And maybe made a few improvements."
I could feel Nicolai's eyes on me, heavy with interest and something darker. He leaned closer, his lips nearly brushing my ear as he murmured, "What else can those fingers do?"
His hot breath sent shivers cascading down my spine, raising goosebumps along my arms. The low timbre of his voice seemed to resonate directly with parts of me that had no business responding while we were in a room with his second-in-command.
I turned my head slightly, bringing our faces dangerously close. "Wouldn't you like to know," I whispered back, fighting a full-body shiver as his massive hand slid from my hip to the small of my back, his thumb tracing small circles against my spine.
Focus, Mishka. Don't get distracted by the hot crime boss.
But focus was becoming increasingly difficult with Nicolai's heat enveloping me and the memory of last night's activities still fresh in my mind.
Yuri cleared his throat loudly, his expression murderous as he watched our exchange. "If we could return to the matter at hand," he said pointedly. "The building's systems—"
"Will be fixed," Nicolai interrupted, his eyes never leaving my face. "Mishka will see to it."
The casual confidence in his voice—like my abilities were a foregone conclusion—sent an unexpected warmth through my chest. It had been a long time since anyone had believed in me without question.
"So you can... upgrade electronics?" Nicolai asked, his interest evident in the intensity of his gaze.
I nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious about my ability. Most people who discovered what I could do immediately wanted to use it—and by extension, me—for their own purposes. It was why I'd spent the last five years running, why Patty O'Rourke had his entire organization hunting me down.
"Among other things," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "I can feel the electrical currents, redirect them, enhance them. It's like... speaking a language that only the devices understand."
"Fascinating," Nicolai murmured, and there was something in his eyes that didn't look like someone calculating my monetary value. It looked almost like... appreciation.
Dangerous, that look, more dangerous than anything else about him.
"Perhaps a private demonstration is in order," I suggested with a suggestive smirk, mentally kicking myself even as the words left my mouth. Flirting with the crime boss who was sheltering me from other criminals? Definitely not in the self-preservation handbook.
Yuri made a choked sound of protest. "We have serious security concerns that need addressing immediately. This isn't the time for..." he gestured between Nicolai and me, apparently unable to find words for whatever he thought was happening.
"I agree," Nicolai said, straightening to his full, imposing height. "Security is paramount. Which is why Mishka will inspect and repair all affected systems." His hand moved from my back to my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Yuri will provide access to any areas you need."
The look on Yuri's face suggested he'd rather provide me with access to a shallow grave, but he nodded stiffly. "As you wish."
"And afterward," Nicolai continued, his voice dropping to that deep register that made my stomach do flips, "we will discuss your abilities in more detail. Privately."
The way he said "privately" made heat flood my cheeks. The air between us seemed to crackle with electricity—and for once, it wasn't coming from my fingertips.
"I'll hold you to that," I replied, surprised at the steadiness in my voice given the way my heart was racing.
Yuri looked between us, his expression growing darker by the second. "Shall we begin with the security systems in the basement?" he asked, clearly trying to break whatever was happening between Nicolai and me.
I nodded, reluctantly stepping away from Nicolai's touch. "Lead the way, Watchdog."
As I followed Yuri toward the door, I felt Nicolai's eyes on my back, intense and considering. I glanced over my shoulder to find him watching me with an expression that made my breath catch—part predatory interest, part fascination, and something else I couldn't quite define.
"Don't break anything else," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in what might have been a smile.
I grinned back at him. "No promises, especially if you're involved."
The double meaning hung in the air between us as I followed Yuri out of the office.
I had a building full of electronics to fix—electronics I'd probably fried during last night's activities.
But all I could think about was the promise of "later" and "private" and the way Nicolai's hands felt on my body.
I was playing with fire or in this case, a very large, very dangerous bear. And despite all my survival instincts screaming at me to run, I couldn't wait to get burned again.