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”Coffee,” he said. ”I figured you might want some.”
I did want coffee, but I didn’t know this man. I didn’t know any of them.
Victor laughed to himself. ”Are you worried it’s poisoned or something?” he asked. ”Here.”
He leaned forward, grabbed the cup he’d put on the coffee table, and brought it to his lips. ”See? I wouldn’t drink it if it was tainted. And we can swap drinks if you want.”
I shook my head and took the mug from him, feeling the warmth of the coffee seep through the porcelain. The aroma was inviting, the steam curling up to my nose. I took a sip, letting the liquid roll over my tongue. It was strong, bitter, but it was perfect. I let out a contented sigh, closing my eyes.
”Good, huh?” Victor asked.
I opened my eyes to see him watching me intently. He was so handsome, with his chiseled features and piercing eyes. His shoulders were broad, his chest solid. He looked like he could break me in half. I was just happy he didn’t want to.
Victor watched me with a small smile, his eyes glinting in the dim light. I wondered what he was thinking as he looked at me like that - was he imagining what I looked like naked, or was he simply sizing me up as a potential threat? I couldn't tell, but I didn't want to dwell on it for too long.
”Yeah, it's good,” I said.
”Teo only drinks expensive stuff,” Victor said. ”He's very particular.”
”About coffee?”
”About everything,” he said, his gaze sliding down my body again. I had to fight the urge to hug myself. I wanted this man to think I trusted him, even though I didn't.
He gestured for me to sit down next to him. I hesitated for a moment, then sat down on the sofa, keeping my distance from him. He smiled at me, but his smile looked dangerous, and I didn't think he was trying to put me at ease.
”Thanks,” I said, taking a sip of the coffee, tapping my fingernails against the mug.
”You’re welcome,” he replied, his eyes focused on mine. ”So Teo said you’re a journalist.”
”Yeah,” I replied, taking another sip of coffee.
”What brings you here, then?” he asked, leaning back against the sofa.
”I have no idea. Someone beat me up and brought me here, so…I know as much as you do.”
He laughed at that, throwing his head back when he did. ”You’re not what I expected,” he said.
”What did you expect?” I asked, setting the cup down on the table.
”I don’t know. Someone more…fragile, I guess.”
”Fragile?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.
”Yeah,” he said, nodding. ”Teo seems very protective of you. And I get it, because of how he found you, but you seem to be bouncing back just fine.”
I swallowed. ”I don’t have time to be hurt,” I said. ”I’m angry, and there’s only one person who would've wanted to hurt me like this.”
”The person you were investigating.”
”The strangler, yes,” I said, feeling a shiver run through me.
Victor nodded, his expression somber. ”That’s a dangerous path to go down,” he said. ”You could end up just like the others, if you’re right about this being a serial killer.”
”I know,” I said, feeling a lump form in my throat. ”But I can’t just sit back and do nothing. I need to find him before he kills again.”
Victor studied me for a moment, his brow furrowed. ”You’re brave,” he said finally. ”I’ll give you that.”
”I’m not brave,” I said, shaking my head. ”I’m just determined. Or maybe I’m just stupid.”
