VIKTOR
The sound was a wet, meaty thud followed by a sharp, bitten-off curse. It wasn't a concerning sound. It was an irritating one.
I was through the bathroom door in three strides, hand already resting on the grip of my sidearm. Threat assessment: clear. Situation assessment: Kairen on the floor, one leg twisted under him, a white towel in a losing battle against gravity. Steam curled around him. His skin was flushed from the heat. His face was a mask of pain and pure, unadulterated humiliation.
Annoyance spiked, hot and immediate. Annoyance was safe. It was familiar.
I looked down at him, not offering a hand. "For a guy who lives in a penthouse, you're surprisingly bad with basic flooring."
He glared up at me, his eyes bright with a sheen that wasn't just from the steam. "Shut up and help, you asshole."
Good. Fight back. That, I knew how to handle.
