He stood up abruptly, pulling her up with him thanks to the handcuffs, and pinned her against the wall. His grip on her wrist tightened.
Ni-ki leaned in closer, his voice a cold whisper. "You're playing with fire, angel. Don't think for a second tha...
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A/N: enjoy this one ;-)
RHAINE STOOD AT THE ENTRANCE, staring down the pool doors and summoning the courage to ask for entry.
Taking a deep breath, she approached the attendant at the front desk. "Hi, um... could I go in? I'm looking for someone."
The attendant raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. "Sorry, miss. This pool's been fully reserved for the night. It's a private booking."
The word "private" only confirmed her suspicion. It had to be Ni-ki. She tried again. "Please, it's really important. I just need a few minutes in there. He... he needs someone right now."
But the attendant didn't waver, a slight frown forming as he repeated, "Rules are rules. I can't let you in."
She bit her lip, feeling a wave of frustration mixed with desperation. Just as she was about to turn away, the sound of footsteps echoed from down the hallway.
She looked up to see Ni-ki's driver, pausing just before the entrance, his gaze landing on her. He raised an eyebrow, recognizing her instantly.
The driver turned to the attendant, his voice steady but firm. "Let her in."
The attendant's eyes widened slightly, and he stepped aside without another word. Rhaine let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, murmuring a quick "thank you" to the driver as she passed by. He gave her a slight nod, as if he understood why she was there.
As she walked down the hallway leading to the pool, the faint sound of water lapping against the tiles grew louder. She hesitated just outside the double doors, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.
The smell of chlorine filled the air, mingling with the stillness of the evening, adding a strange weight to the atmosphere. Pushing the doors open, she stepped inside, her gaze immediately drawn to the calm blue surface of the pool.
The pool was quiet, an almost eerie stillness settling over the room. Ni-ki stood alone in the center of the water, unmoving, his head bowed slightly as he looked down into the blue depths.
The fluorescent lights above cast a dim, hazy glow, illuminating the tension in his posture. Rhaine's heart ached at the sight; she could tell he was deep in thought, lost somewhere she couldn't reach just yet.
For a moment, she hesitated, unsure if she should disturb him. But then, summoning her courage, she took a step closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ni-ki?"
He didn't move at first, as if he hadn't heard her. Then, slowly, he lifted his head, his gaze meeting hers. She could see a flicker of surprise, but it faded quickly, replaced by something unreadable—something raw that she hadn't seen in him before.
"Rhaine," he said, his voice low, almost as if he wasn't sure she was real.
She took a few steps closer to the pool's edge, her eyes never leaving him. "I... I just wanted to check on you."
