Made for crime

A night to remeber

(dual povs)

Kai's POV

I leaned against the glass window, staring out at the glittering skyline. The city buzzed with its usual life, but tonight, everything felt different. Tonight, I was going to do something that I hadn't done before—something normal, something soft, something purely for Nina.

The image of her had been haunting me for days. The pain in her eyes, the fragility she tried to hide from everyone. I had seen her at her worst, broken and vulnerable, but tonight, I wanted to give her something better—a memory that would drown out the darkness of everything she'd been through.

I turned away from the window and glanced at my phone, a message confirming the final details of the night.Restaurant: Reserved for private use.Security: Discreet but present.Chef: Special menu for the evening.

I could control a lot of things in this world—business deals, power plays, enemies—but Nina was something I couldn't control. She wasn't just a piece on a chessboard, and that terrified me more than anything. Tonight wasn't about control or power, though. Tonight was about her.

Grabbing my jacket, I made my way to the car waiting for me outside. Nikolai, one of my most trusted men, was standing by the door, his sharp eyes scanning the street.

"Everything's set?" I asked, sliding into the backseat.

"Yes, boss. The restaurant is secure. No one gets in or out without your word. Nina's already getting ready," he replied, keeping his tone businesslike, but I could see the small glint of approval in his eyes.

 Everyone in the family knew what she meant to me now, and even they were invested in this night going well.

Good.

the drive felt longer than usual. Anticipation bubbled in my chest as I thought about seeing her tonight. For once, we could just... be. No enemies lurking, no shadows from the past—just us.

When we pulled up to the restaurant, my men moved like shadows, securing the area before I even stepped out. I walked inside, and the transformation of the place was everything I'd hoped for.

The candlelight flickered against the dark, elegant interior, casting a soft glow across the intimate space. White roses adorned every table, their fragrance mingling with the faint scent of freshly baked bread from the kitchen. The chandeliers above sparkled like stars, and the soft music playing in the background created a perfect atmosphere of warmth and intimacy.

It was all ready.

I could hear the faint rustle of the kitchen staff preparing the food for the evening, but other than that, the restaurant was completely silent. It was just for us tonight. I had made sure of that.

Nikolai stepped up beside me, giving me a small nod of approval. "She's on her way."

I straightened my jacket, my heart racing slightly despite my usual composure. What was it about her that always did this to me? She had a way of unraveling me in ways no one else ever had.

I moved toward the table, positioning myself so I could see her the moment she walked in. It wasn't long before the door opened, and there she was.Nina.

She stepped inside, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her. She was breathtaking. A soft, flowing dress hugged her frame, her hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders. But it wasn't just how she looked. It was the way she carried herself, the quiet strength beneath her softness. The way she looked at me like she could see through every wall I'd ever put up.