Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 42: Unraveling

Nikol kept a safe distance, observing them. As Aari talked to Rose, she bit her lip playfully, and something stirred inside him that he had never felt before. He wanted to go over and bite that lip himself while kissing her. Aari did something to him, something he couldn't quite explain.

Aari was a vision. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that was both delicate and striking. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and intelligence, a combination that made it hard to look away. She wore a fitted top that hugged her curves perfectly, and the way she moved was effortlessly graceful, drawing attention without even trying.

He could hear snippets of their conversation.

"Are you coming to the party tonight, Aari?" Rose asked, her eyes twinkling.

Aari shrugged, a playful smile on her lips, causing a slight dimple to appear on her cheek. "I might. Depends on how I feel."

"You always say that," Rose teased, nudging her friend playfully. "Come on, it'll be fun! Plus, I want you to meet my friend."

Aari laughed softly, a sound that sent a shiver down Nikol's spine. "You and your matchmaking, Rose. Who is it this time?"

Rose grinned. "He's a really great guy. I think you'll like him."

Nikol's mind went into overdrive. He wanted to confront Rose, to tell her that Aari was his and no one else's. The possessiveness startled him, but he couldn't deny the intensity of his feelings.

Just then, his phone buzzed. It was Aiden.

"Any intel yet, Nik?" Aiden asked, his voice urgent.

Nikol tore his gaze away from Aari, forcing himself to focus. "Not yet. I'm heading to the university now."

"Good. We need to find this guy before he hurts anyone else," Aiden said.

"Yeah, I'll update you as soon as I have something," Nikol replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

By the time he looked back, Aari had vanished from his sight. His heart sank. The thought of her with someone else was unbearable. He needed to find her, to protect her, to claim her as his own. But first, he had a mission to complete.

Nikol's mind raced as he navigated the city streets, the image of Aari still fresh in his thoughts. He knew he needed to stay focused on the mission at hand, but a new curiosity was tugging at him, one he couldn't ignore. He pulled out his phone and dialed Aiden.

"Aiden, any updates on the professor?" Nikol asked, his British accent clipped and precise.

Aiden's voice crackled over the line. "Not yet. I'm still coordinating with the team. Why? You got something?"

Nikol hesitated for a moment, then decided to go for it. "Scratch the intel on the professor for now. I need details on two girls."

There was a pause, then Aiden's voice came back with a mix of confusion and amusement. "Two girls? What are you cooking up in that devilish mind of yours, Nik? Ahmm, two girls at one time—how kinky! I didn't know you had such fantasies."

Nikol rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small smile. "Not like that, Aiden. One's named Aari and the other's Rose. I need everything you can find on them."

Aiden chuckled. "Wow, Nikol Russo, asking me to do his dirty work. You're the top hacker, remember? Why are you asking me for help?"

"I'm following this asshole professor right now. My hands are busy," Nikol said, his irritation barely masked by his British accent. "I need those files in an hour."

"Busy, huh?" Aiden teased. "You're not multitasking as well as you used to. Age catching up to you?"

Nikol's patience was wearing thin. "Aiden, I need the information. Now."

Aiden laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll get my team on it. But you owe me one, Nik. And I expect full details on why you're so interested in these girls."

Nikol sighed. "Fine. Just get it done."

"Consider it done. I'll have the info in an hour," Aiden promised.

As Nikol ended the call, he continued tailing the professor, a middle-aged man with a nondescript appearance. The professor was walking briskly through the campus, seemingly unaware of Nikol's presence. Nikol's mind was already strategizing, but a part of him couldn't shake the image of Aari biting her lip, her playful smile, and the way she effortlessly drew his attention.

Nikol parked his Aston Martin in a discreet spot and followed the professor on foot, keeping a safe distance. He was adept at blending into his surroundings, moving like a shadow. His mind was a constant whirl of thoughts, balancing his focus on the mission with this newfound intrigue about Aari.

About an hour later, his phone buzzed again. It was Aiden.

"Got the files," Aiden said, his tone more serious now. "Sending them to your secure line. But Nik, you better tell me what this is about."

"I will. Thanks, Aiden," Nikol replied.

As Nikol received the files, he found a secluded spot to review them. He opened the first file on Aari. Her full name was Aari Arison. She was a former cabin crew member who had transitioned into the role of Channel Development Manager at an interior design firm. In addition to her managerial role, Aari freelanced as an architect, working on many prestigious projects. She was currently studying Advanced Architectural Design, a program designed to enhance her already impressive skills. Her dating history included exes named Theon and Sebastian. Aari was known for her intelligence, striking beauty, and an air of mystery that intrigued many. There was no information about her parents in the file, only details about her two siblings: Maya, her elder sister who worked as a cabin crew member in LA, and Jace, her younger brother.

The file on Rose revealed that she owned a gallery and was studying Fine Arts and Gallery Management. Known for her vibrant personality and extensive social connections, Rose was the daughter of a social elite. She had one younger sibling, Sam. Nikol also noted the list of their friends and associates, piecing together the social circles they moved in.Nikol felt a strange satisfaction at having this information. It was a small piece of the puzzle, but it was important to him. He closed the files and resumed his surveillance of the professor, who was now heading towards a lecture hall.

Nikol's phone buzzed again. Aiden's voice came through with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "So, what's the deal with these girls, Nik? You got a thing for college students now?"

Nikol smirked. "Let's just say they caught my attention. And I need to make sure they're safe."

Aiden laughed. "Protective, aren't we? Alright, just keep me posted. And don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Nikol chuckled. "That doesn't narrow it down much, Aiden."

With the files on Aari and Rose securely in his possession, Nikol felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would get to the bottom of the dark web videos and bring the perpetrators to justice. But he couldn't deny the growing interest in Aari, a girl who had somehow managed to break through his hardened exterior.

As he continued to follow the professor, his thoughts kept drifting back to Aari. He knew he had to stay focused, but a part of him was already planning his next move, both in the mission and in finding out more about the enigmatic girl who had captured his attention.

Aiden's voice crackled through the phone. "You know, I always thought you'd be a one-woman type of man, but my, my, you never stop surprising me."

Nikol rolled his eyes. "I'm not interested in playing the field, Aiden. I just need to know more about them."

"Sure, sure," Aiden said, clearly amused. "But if you don't mind, can I have one? I hope you don't mind sharing with me."

Nikol sighed. "Aiden, focus."

Aiden laughed. "Alright, alright. But I'm curious. What else are your fantasies? How about we hit up a strip club together sometime?"

Nikol couldn't help but laugh. "You never change, do you?"

"Nope. And that's why you love me," Aiden replied with a grin evident in his voice.

Nikol shook his head, ending the call. As he followed the professor, he couldn't help but think about Aari again. There was something about her that stirred feelings he hadn't experienced before, and he was determined to figure out what it was, even if it meant diving into a new kind of mission.