Chapter 3

"The same as yesterday," he says lowly.

"And-«

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" he interrupts.

I nod hesitantly. "Go ahead."

His face twists into a smirk, his dark eyes reflecting my image.

"Is it not obvious I want to fuck you, or are you just ignoring that fact?"

I fold my manicured hands together, keeping my composure.

"Mr. Niko, please, refrain from inappropriate comments or queries.”

He smirks, sitting back in the chair.

"No promises, Doctor Korovin. No promises.”I clear my throat, ignoring his words. I shift in my chair. He watches my legs with a sly smile.

"You have a gorgeous figure." He observes.

"Why would you say that?" I respond, setting down my pad.

He looks at me through his lashes. "The same reason I say, or don't say anything: because it's true."

Huh. "Let's talk about that for a moment. You claim you're always honest."

"I hate liars. I don't lie."

I snort. "All humans lie."

"You act like lying is necessary to survive.”

"Sometimes, it is."

He looks away. "I don't agree with that. That's what people say, but it always backfires. Or, do you think that lying is a good habit to have?" He quirks a brow.

"I don't think it's good habit. But I believe it can be necessary."

He smiles. "Well, we all have our own philosophies, Doctor Korovin."

I relent, changing the topic. "So what are you looking forward to once your released?"

He licks his lips, making me shift my eyes to my paper.

"I'm looking forward to having a beautiful pair of chocolate thighs around my waist."

I swallow, shifting once more."Yours, preferably," He smirks. "But I guess we'll see. You don't seem opposed to the idea, Doctor Korovin."

"Again, refrain from inappropriate remarks like that."

He shrugs. "Do you enjoy when most inmates openly lust after you, are you creaming just for me?"

I rub my thighs together, closing my legs tightly.

"That's going to conclude our session today."

"Please, come back tomorrow, Doctor Krorvkn. I really enjoy your visits," He rasps sexily.

"Have a good night, Mr. Niko."

"With you in my dreams?" He quips, "Oh it's bound to be."

That damned criminal. How dare he!

Of course this isn't the first time an inmate has hit on me. It's just the first time I...

I turn back around, and I sit. No. No I'm not running this time. He quirks a brow, but says nothing, putting the ball in my court.

"Why do you do that?" I ask softly. "Does it see amuse you to see me unnerved?"

"I would say no, but it'd be a lie. Frankly, I say it because I mean it. But I won't deny," He leans back, "It is amusing to watch you struggle, fighting your attraction to a prisoner."

So he's sadistic. He finds amusement in my suffering. Then I won't suffer.

"Did no one teach you?" I offer a smirk of my own,

"You don't mess with fire if you don't want to get burned."

"And if I do?" He shoots back. "If I like playing with the fire between your legs, getting it as hot as I can?"

I shrug. "Then don't complain when it goes south."

"Oooh," He coos. "Someone has a pair of lady-balls. And here I thought you were a little saint."

I smile. "Have you ever noticed how young Saints die? They don't live long, do they?"

His large stature shakes with laughter, his eyes closing with mirth.

"And what's a sinner like you doing preaching redemption to people like me?"

I cross my legs. "I think your view of the world is very narrow, Niko. There's no saints. We're all sinners. And as for redemption, I've never said anything about that, now did I?"

He smiles, his black eyes shining. "You sure didn't. Tell me little Ms. Sinner: Just how dirty are you?"

I eye him silently. I bring my hands to my shirt, unbuttoning the first one. His eyes fix themselves on the display, his smile falling in the slightest.

I unbutton The second, slowly, deliberately. My fingers clasp the third, my cleavage poking through the shirt.

"I guess you'll never know, huh?" I stand, as he chuckles lightly.

"Good-bye Mr. Niko." I walk away, victorious.

Why the hell am I flirting with this man?

The question follows me down the hall, my heels echoing too loudly against the concrete floor. My pulse refuses to slow, my skin still warm where his gaze had lingered. I tell myself it’s adrenaline. Nothing more. It has to be.

Behind me, the door locks with a heavy clang.

I stop walking.

That sound shouldn’t affect me the way it does. I’ve heard it a thousand times. Yet tonight, it feels final. Sealing something in. Or letting something loose.

I exhale and continue toward my office, forcing my mind back into order. Professional. Detached. In control.

But control slips the moment I sit at my desk and open his file.

Nikolai. No second name?

I scan the pages, skimming details I already know, charges, aliases, redacted locations. My eyes blur until one line stops me cold.

Psychological Note: Subject exhibits heightened perception. Possible mirroring tendencies when engaged.

Mirroring.

My fingers tighten around the folder.

That explains the way his eyes seem to see too much. The way he responds not just to my words, but to what I don’t say. To what I hide.

A knock hits my door, sharp and sudden.

“Yes?” I call, too quickly.

The guard doesn’t step inside. He only looks at me, his face tight.

“Doctor,” he says, lowering his voice, “you’re needed back in Interview Room C.”

My stomach drops. “My session is over.”

“Not anymore.”

I stand slowly. “What happened?”

The guard hesitates, then meets my eyes.

“He refused to be restrained after you left,” he says. “Says he’ll cooperate… but only if you come back.”

My heartbeat roars in my ears.

Only if I come back.

I should say no. I know that. I should document it, report it, walk away.

Instead, something dark and familiar stirs inside me. Calm. Certain. Awake.

I grab my coat.

When I step back into the room, Nikolai is standing, unchained.

His eyes lift to mine, sharp and knowing.

“I was wondering how long it would take,” he says softly.

The door slams shut behind me.

And this time, there is no lock on my side.