- 37 -

A U R O R A

I parked the car in front of the house which definitely required a gardener. It was one of those countrysides set up with quiet and peaceful neighbourhoods where mostly retired people decided to settle. Every house was immaculate though except for the one where I was heading to.

Fishing out my phone, I checked the text Viktor had sent me a while back and then looked around. I doubted if this was exactly the place where ex-Navy SEAL would settle down. It was too...domestic.

I walked up to the lawn, overgrown with grass and weed, and then knocked on the door. No electric bell. Just old school brass ring.

A few seconds later I heard the lock click as the door opened slightly. A man peeked out a little, and I caught a glimpse of his face. Tall, tan skin with cropped hair, almost bald on the sides and an apprehensive look in his eyes.

"Simon?" I asked.

He assessed me with a deep frown. "Depends, who's asking?"

"Viktor Romano."

The cloud in his features cleared out as he nodded