A Bad Leak

Nikolai POV

The metal handle rattled a second time, louder this time, sending a cold spike of panic straight through the air between us.

Bella’s hands gripped my shoulders so tight her nails bit into my skin. Her dark eyes were wide, fixed on the lock, every drop of color drained from her face. If Chloe walked in right now—if she saw her sister pinned against the counter with my arms wrapped around her waist and my eyes glowing red—everything we were trying to build would shatter into pieces. The contract, the deal, the protection for her family. All of it would go down the drain.

"Bella?" Chloe’s voice came through the thick panel again, light and innocent. "Is someone in there with you?"

Bella opened her mouth, but her throat locked up. She couldn't speak. She couldn't even breathe.

I had to fix this right now.

I lifted Bella off the edge of the counter, setting her feet down quietly on the floor. I shoved my red eyes back under control, burying the demon deep inside my chest until my vision cleared. Then, before Chloe could try the handle a third time, I reached out and kicked the large metal trash bin in the corner with all my weight.

BANG!

The sharp noise exploded inside the small room, echoing like a gunshot off the walls.

Outside, Chloe let out a high gasp and stumbled back a step. "Oh my god!"

Without giving Bella a chance to react, I unlocked the deadbolt with a sharp turn and yanked the door wide open.

Chloe was standing in the dim hallway, clutching two paper coffee cups to her chest, her sweet face pale with shock. Her eyes went huge as she looked at me—sweaty, barefoot, wearing a black shirt that was sticking to my chest, my dark hair a complete mess.

"Nikolai?" she stammered, stepping back another inch. "What... what are you doing in the women's washroom?"

"The pipe under the second sink blew out," I snapped, raising my voice to sound completely annoyed. I wiped a streak of sweat off my forehead with the back of my arm, stepping out into the hall to block her view of Bella completely. "Water was spraying all over the floor and running toward the hall tile. I had to force the valve shut before it ruined the floor."

Chloe blinked up at me, her head tilting in confusion. "The plumbing?"

"Yes, the plumbing," I growled, letting my natural anger take over so she wouldn't question it. "I was down in the rink trying to train, and I heard the water running through the pipes from the ceiling. I came up here to see what was going on."

Bella stepped up behind me, her voice miraculously calm, though I could hear her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.

"He's telling the truth, Chloe," Bella said, smoothing her skirt down with quick, careful hands. Her face was slightly red, but she kept her posture straight as an arrow. "The pipe gave out while I was washing my hands. Nikolai happened to be nearby and helped me turn off the main valve. That's why the door was locked. We didn't want anyone stepping into a puddle."

Chloe looked past my shoulder at Bella, then back up at my face. For two terrifying seconds, she just stood there in silence, processing the scene. My muscles stayed tight, ready to spin whatever story I needed to keep her from asking real questions.

Finally, Chloe let out a long breath and relaxed her shoulders. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought something bad happened. You scared me half to death with that loud crash!"

"I knocked over the bin while reaching for the pipe," I lied smoothly, extending my hand toward her. "Give me those."

Chloe looked down at the coffee cups in her hands and smiled, handing them over without a second thought. "Right. I brought these from the place down the street. I thought Bella could use one since she’s been working so late on your team files."

"She doesn't need to be working this late," I said, my voice dropping an octave as I looked back over my shoulder at Bella.

Bella met my gaze, her dark eyes flashing with a mix of leftover fear and lingering heat. The kiss we shared seconds ago was still burning on my lips, but we both had to act like total strangers.

"The schedule is almost done, Nikolai," Bella said, her tone smooth and businesslike, though her fingers twitched at her side. "I was just packing up my things when the sink broke."

"Good," I said, turning my attention back to Chloe. "Take your sister home. The cleaning crew can deal with the pipes in the morning. Nobody should be in this facility at two in the morning anyway."

"He's right, Bella," Chloe agreed, reaching out to wrap her arm through Bella's. "You look completely exhausted. Come on, I'll drive behind you to make sure you get home safely."

Bella hesitated for a split second, her eyes trailing over my face, resting on my mouth for a fraction of a moment before she looked away. "Alright. Let me grab my bag from the office."

"I'll wait by the front doors," Chloe said cheerfully, already turning toward the stairs. She looked back at me over her shoulder with a polite smile. "Thank you for fixing the sink, Nikolai. Goodnight."

"Night," I muttered.

Chloe walked down the hall, her heels clicking against the floor until her footsteps faded down the main stairwell.

The moment she was gone, the hallway went dead silent.

I turned around to face Bella. She was standing in the doorway of the washroom, her chest rising and falling fast as she leaned back against the frame for support. The brave, cool face she put on for her sister was gone, replaced by pure emotional fatigue.

"That was too close," she whispered, her voice shaking just a little bit.

"She didn't suspect a thing," I said, taking one step toward her.

Bella immediately put her hand up, stopping me in my tracks. "Don't, Nikolai. Please."

I stopped. I looked down at the coffee cups in my hands, then back up at her face. The heat between us was still hanging heavy in the narrow hallway, but the reality of our situation had settled back over us like an iron blanket.

"We can't do that again," Bella said softly, looking straight into my eyes. "If she saw us—if my father found out—"

"I know," I cut her off, my throat feeling dry. "I know what's at stake."

"Then stay away from me when the building is empty," she said, her voice growing firm again as she pulled herself together. She reached out and took one of the coffee cups from my hand, her cool fingers brushing against mine for a fleeting second. "See you at the morning meeting, Captain."

She turned around and walked down the hall toward her office without looking back once.

I stood there alone in the dark corridor, watching her go until her door clicked shut. My inner demon was pacing back and forth inside my chest, angry that I let her walk away, but I knew she was right. We were playing a dangerous game, and tonight we came within an inch of losing everything.