Fine Italian leather shoes hit the tarmac of Averton City like the ground owed them respect.
The man wearing them stepped down from the jet with long, lazy confidence, built like trouble and dressed like he didn't care who noticed. His suit was dark blue, almost black, tailored perfectly to his frame, and the white dress shirt beneath it was left open far past what any sane businessman would dare.
One button undone was casual.
Two was arrogant.
Three was a declaration of war.
Viktor Morozov slid his aviator sunglasses off slowly, letting the warm air brush his face as his grey eyes swept the airport like he was looking for enemies instead of luggage.
He didn't need to be paranoid.
He already had half a small army around him.
Still, he looked like the kind of man who didn't trust the world to stay breathing without permission.
His jaw was lined with rough stubble, three days' worth, and somehow it made him look even worse.
Not unkempt.
Not tired.
Just… deliciously dangerous.
He exhaled sharply.
"Where's my car?" he asked.
Marco, big as a truck and twice as loyal, pointed to the right.
"There, boss."
Viktor followed his gesture and his eyes landed on a red Ferrari parked proudly like it was waiting for a photoshoot.
His face didn't change.
But the air did.
"What the hell is that?" Viktor asked, voice flat.
Marco blinked, clearly confused.
"Boss… it's a Ferrari."
Viktor slowly turned his head.
His stare could've murdered someone's bloodline.
Marco suddenly felt like the summer heat dropped ten degrees.
Viktor's jaw ticked.
"I'm not an idiot," he said through his teeth. "I know it's a Ferrari. I'm asking why the hell is it red?"
Marco scratched the back of his neck, desperate for a correct answer.
"It's… a Ferrari?" he offered weakly, like that explained everything.
Viktor pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closing for a second as if he was praying not to commit homicide in public.
He took a long breath.
Then another.
"It's flashy," he muttered. "Change it. I want fast and black."
Marco straightened instantly.
"Yes, boss."
Viktor didn't wait for more stupidity.
He climbed into the car his men brought instead, the doors shutting with a heavy click that sounded like the end of an argument.
The convoy rolled out of the airport, slicing through Averton City traffic like it belonged to them.
Because it did.
*
The drive took nearly an hour.
Viktor leaned back in his seat, staring out the tinted window as the city faded behind them and the coastal roads opened up. The view was beautiful, but his mood didn't care.
Every time his mind wandered, it circled back to one thing.
A book.
A fucking book.
He could still see the cover in his head, bold letters mocking him like laughter.
His fingers flexed unconsciously.
Scarlet Smith.
Whoever the hell she really was.
He was going to find her.
And when he did…
His jaw tightened.
The car slowed as massive gates came into view, followed by a cliffside villa that looked like it had been built for royalty.
The gates opened after a brief check.
Viktor stepped out once they were inside and glanced up at the house, a small smile finally breaking through the irritation on his face.
It had been a while.
His men stayed behind as he walked toward the double doors.
He didn't knock.
Not really.
He just hit the doorbell like he owned the damn place.
A moment later, the door swung open.
Kevin stood there in a fitted shirt, looking like he'd been interrupted mid-planning-someone's-death.
His eyebrows shot up.
"What the…" Kevin's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?"
Viktor walked right past him.
"Mmm," he hummed. "Such a warm welcome. I feel embraced."
Kevin shut the door behind him, expression still suspicious.
"You didn't call."
Viktor shrugged. "I didn't feel like it."
Kevin stared at him as if he were debating whether to throw him back outside.
Before he could, small footsteps thundered down the hallway.
"UNCLE Viktor!"
A little boy launched himself forward like a missile.
Right behind him came a squealing little girl, her laughter high and excited.
Viktor's face shifted instantly.
The cold predator melted into something warmer, almost human.
He crouched just in time to catch the boy.
"Whoa," Viktor said, lifting him easily. "Look at you."
Then he grabbed the little girl too, scooping her up with his other arm like she weighed nothing.
"You two got bigger," he said, spinning them around.
The foyer filled with giggles, the kind that made even a killer forget he was one.
"Benjamin!" Viktor laughed. "Alexa! You little monsters!"
Benjamin laughed so hard his cheeks turned red.
Alexa clung to Viktor's shoulder, squealing like she was on a carnival ride.
From the stairs, Nyssa appeared, her hair pulled back, face glowing with that soft kind of beauty that only came with being loved properly.
Her eyes widened.
"Viktor?"
Viktor set the kids down and stepped closer, grinning. "Hey, pretty."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Nyssa blinked, half amused, half confused. "What are you doing here?"
Kevin crossed his arms.
"I asked him the same thing," he said dryly. "He's ignoring me."
Viktor lifted both hands innocently.
"What? Can't visit my favorite family? It's been too long. I missed these two little demons."
Benjamin puffed his chest proudly.
"We're not demons!"
Viktor smirked. "That's exactly what a demon would say."
Alexa giggled and hid behind her brother.
Kevin's eyes didn't soften.
Not much, anyway.
He watched Viktor carefully, like he was studying a weapon he wasn't sure was loaded.
Then Viktor's gaze dropped to the overnight bag Nyssa was holding.
He paused.
"Wait," he said. "You guys leaving?"
Nyssa hesitated.
Kevin answered instead.
"Me and Nyssa are heading out. The kids are staying. The nanny should be here soon."
Viktor blinked once.
Then twice.
"Well damn," he muttered. "That's tragic timing."
He took a step back, already turning toward the door. "I'll be in town for a while anyway. We can catch up later."
Nyssa's voice stopped him.
"Wait."
Viktor glanced back.
Nyssa's expression tightened slightly, like she didn't want to ask but had no choice.
"Kevin," she said carefully, "we really need to leave…"
Kevin checked his watch, jaw tightening.
Then he looked back at Viktor, exhaling like it physically pained him.
"You're right," he muttered.
Viktor's brow lifted.
Kevin didn't ask for favors.
Not unless the world was ending.
Kevin met his gaze. "We need your help."
Viktor's expression sharpened.
"Help?" he echoed.
Nyssa stepped forward, her voice gentle but urgent. "The nanny hasn't been responding. We can't cancel this trip. It's important."
Kevin's eyes stayed cold. "But the kids can't be alone."
Viktor stared at them for a long second.
Then he glanced at Benjamin and Alexa, who were now staring up at him with wide eyes like he was a superhero.
Viktor let out a breath.
"…You want me to babysit."
Kevin didn't blink.
"Yes."
Viktor looked personally offended.
Then he laughed once, short and disbelieving. "You two are insane."
Nyssa gave him a pleading look. "Please."
Viktor's jaw worked, as if he was chewing on the idea.
Then he rolled his eyes.
"Fine," he muttered. "Go. Before I change my mind."
Kevin's shoulders loosened slightly, though he still looked like he hated relying on anyone.
Nyssa smiled with relief. "You're the best."
Viktor scoffed. "I'm a criminal, Nyssa. Don't say shit like that."
*
8 P.M.
The villa's living room looked like a war zone waiting to happen.
Viktor stood in the center, his posture straight, his expression carved from ice.
Thirteen men stood in front of him, dressed in protective gear like they were about to raid an enemy base.
Their faces were serious.
Sweat ran down their temples.
Not from the heat.
From fear.
Because the man giving orders was Viktor Morozov.
And disappointing him was more dangerous than a bullet.
Viktor's eyes swept across them one by one.
Slow.
Calculated.
Deadly.
His voice cut through the silence.
"This is like never before," he said coldly. "I expect each of you to follow orders and put your life on the line."
His gaze narrowed.
"We cannot disappoint the Hughes (Kevin's family)."
The men stiffened.
"Are we clear?"
"Yes, Master!" they answered in unison.
Viktor nodded once.
"Move."
Instantly, his men dispersed like shadows, taking positions around the villa.
Outside.
Inside.
Hallways.
Stairs.
Every angle covered.
Every entrance is guarded.
A full tactical operation.
For babysitting.
Benjamin stood nearby, eyes shining like he'd just witnessed an action movie.
"Whoa…" he whispered. "That was so cool."
Alexa clung to his shirt, slightly scared but still fascinated.
Viktor walked past them like a general walking away from a battlefield.
"Come on," he ordered. "Bed."
Benjamin pouted.
"But it's not even late!"
Viktor shot him a look.
Benjamin immediately shut his mouth.
"Yes, sir."
Viktor snorted.
Smart kid.
He marched them into their shared bedroom, where two small beds sat side by side.
Alexa was already yawning, rubbing her eyes.
Benjamin climbed into bed with a dramatic sigh, like he was being sentenced to prison.
Viktor pulled the blankets up, tucking them in with movements that were oddly careful for a man who could break necks without blinking.
He turned off the main light, leaving only the dim bedside lamp.
"Sleep," he said simply.
He started walking out.
Then Benjamin's voice stopped him.
"Uncle Viktor?"
Viktor paused, already irritated. "What?"
Benjamin hesitated.
"Can you tell us a bedtime story?"
Viktor stared at him like he'd asked him to donate a kidney. "No."
Benjamin's face fell.
Viktor turned again, hand already on the door.
Then Alexa's tiny voice floated through the dim room.
"Pretty please, Uncle Viktor?"
Viktor froze.
His entire body locked up.
Because her voice wasn't demanding.
It wasn't bratty.
It was soft.
Sweet.
And it hit him straight in the chest like a bullet made of glitter.
He slowly turned his head.
Alexa was staring at him with big eyes, her little hands clutching the blanket like it was her last hope.
Viktor's jaw tightened.
He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like a curse.
"Damn it."
He walked back into the room, grabbed a small chair, and sat down backwards, resting his arms on the backrest like he was interrogating them.
"I don't know any fairy tale bullshit," he said bluntly.
Benjamin's face fell again.
"But," Viktor added, lifting a finger, "I can tell you a story."
Benjamin's eyes lit up instantly.
Alexa smiled.
Viktor stared at the ceiling for a moment, as if searching his memory for something acceptable.
Then his lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk.
"This story," he began, voice low, "is about a handsome prince… and a witch."
Benjamin gasped dramatically.
Alexa leaned forward.
Viktor's eyes gleamed.
"The prince was named Viktor," he said, winking.
Benjamin giggled.
"And the witch…" Viktor's voice sharpened slightly, like he tasted poison.
"her name was Scarlet."