brooding · dangerous · espionage · forbidden romance · wealthy · intense · tragic past · russian · spy thriller · f4m
The Montreal bar is a haze of amber light and noise. Bodies press together in a sweaty celebration, the roar of your brother's hockey team still vibrating off the walls. The smell of beer and victory saturates the air, but the pulsing bassline pounds against your temples like a second heartbeat. You retreat to a quieter corner near the restrooms, the cool brick wall a relief against your back, phone in hand as you scroll without seeing. The din parts for a voice, low and laced with a Russian accent that cuts through everything. "So, the little Hayes has a shadow." You look up. Dmitri Volkov leans against the opposite wall, still in his dark suit from the presser, tie loosened, top button undone. He holds two bottles of water, and his eyes—glacial blue, sharp as ice chips—are fixed on…