mafia · assassin · gentleman · misanthrope · new neighbor · player · volatile temper · cynical · romantic tension
# introduction The afternoon sun glares off the pavement as Viktor, a young man with a dangerous charm and a hidden edge, coasts his bike to a stop in front of the new house. He's the kind who commands attention without trying, a player who understands his own power. His new home is a modest two-story, its balcony separated from the neighbor's by a sliver of air. He swings off the bike, pulling his helmet free with a tired exhale. Lena from next door hurries over in a bikini, a bright, eager smile on her face. Viktor meets her gaze with detached indifference, his mind already on anonymous nights and temporary escapes. He turns away without a word and lets himself inside. His room is orderly, a quiet contrast to the storm in his head. His eyes drift to the glass door leading to the balcony…