Icing on the Cake Chapter 14

On a day three years ago, when he’d realized that something he’d been accustomed to his whole life was considered barbaric in ordinary society, Yuri once again thought that he was fundamentally different from others down to his very bones.

Because for him, words like “handsome,” affectionate nicknames, and terms of endearment were sacred—things you could never utter unless they were directed at someone you truly loved.

∞ ∞ ∞

Unlike Saratov, where places stayed open past midnight, downtown Vancouver grew quiet as early as 10 p.m. Most shops had closed, and the streets were empty of cars. Apart from drug-addicted homeless people and drunken troublemakers, everyone had returned to their own homes, so Vancouver at night was peaceful.

While Cheriot was washing up, Yuri had stepped outside the hotel for a cigarette. Though it was June, approaching summer, the country still had large temperature differences before July, so the night air remained chilly.

The cigarette smoke scattered along the cool, dry wind brushing against his cheeks. Yuri liked this cold air. Though he despised the small border town where he’d been born, he loved the cold weather—where snow fell for more than half the year. His friends, including Alexei, constantly complained about how sick they were of the cold… but oddly enough, he liked winter.

Whenever the biting wind scraped against his skin, the pain made him feel alive, and he appreciated being able to dress in a way that didn’t require him to reveal his scar-covered body.

While he stood quietly watching the shuttered storefronts, one cigarette came to an end. As he debated whether to light another, he saw a car stop across from the hotel. It was a familiar vehicle. It seemed Alexei had finished ransacking Cheriot’s place.

Unable to shake his Saratov habits, Alexei parked the car crookedly and threw the door open as he got out. Yuri watched the scene and smiled faintly. Then he tossed the butt into the trash can in front of the hotel.

“You knew I was coming even without a call?”

Alexei, who’d gotten out of the car, spotted him immediately and waved. Ignoring the crosswalk, he cut straight across the roadway, a travel suitcase in one hand. Yuri, keeping an eye out for oncoming traffic on his friend’s behalf, called out shortly.

“Alyosha, car.”

Even after spotting the vehicle approaching with its headlights blazing, Alexei remained unhurried. Yuri walked toward him as he stepped onto the sidewalk, and Alexei handed over the suitcase first.

“Your stalker’s luggage. He asked for so much I gave up halfway. I didn’t feel like touching an alpha brat’s underwear, so tell him to buy his own. Wallet and phone are inside too.”

“Stalker, what.”

“Couldn’t take his eyes off you for a second—that’s a stalker if I’ve ever seen one.”

Yuri took the suitcase and let out a dry laugh. If only Alexei had seen how Cheriot had been hitting on an omega during the short time he’d stepped away.

“Anything happen on your way over?”

“Not yet. Now I’m off to look into things.”

As soon as he’d finished his business, Alexei turned to cross the road again but stopped and added one more thing.

“Heather’s going to stop by for a bit. When I told her you were here, she said she wanted to come check on Cheriot’s well-being. She’s got some info on that group in question, so you should hear it from her directly.”

Yuri gave a short nod.

“When’s she arriving?”

“Let’s see.”

Alexei pulled out his phone.

“Looks like she’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“Then I’ll wait here.”

“Can I give her your number? In case you miss each other.”

After the time he’d saved Heather, Alexei had exchanged contact info with her, but Yuri had only communicated with her indirectly through his friend. For someone who avoided expanding his relationships, contact information wasn’t something he exchanged easily.

Though reluctance rose at Alexei’s question, Yuri silently acquiesced. Since this case involved Heather to some extent, it was necessary under the circumstances. And she didn’t seem like the type to bother him unnecessarily, anyway.

“I’m off. Call me tomorrow.”

Instead of mentioning that the date had already changed, Yuri asked something else.

“Eat first. You haven’t had anything besides that chocolate and alcohol earlier.”

“Been a while since I’ve heard nagging—doesn’t feel half bad. But Valery’s probably left something ready at home, so don’t worry.”

Ah. Right. He’d been worrying needlessly about a man who had a partner who took care of him incomparably better than he himself could. Alexei, who’d replied playfully, gave Yuri a wink and then left without hesitation.

Only after watching Alexei start the engine and drive away did Yuri enter the hotel. Standing outside on the night street with a suitcase in hand drew too much attention—it seemed better to wait inside.

The lobby was quiet now, unlike before. As soon as midnight hit, the hotel bar had closed too, leaving no one but the front desk staff. In the silent stillness, Yuri sat on a sofa and closed his eyes for a moment. He’d been awake since 5 a.m. going about his day—almost a full twenty-four hours. His eyes felt parched and exhaustion washed over him.

Come to think of it, where was he supposed to sleep? Since he couldn’t be separated from Cheriot, maybe he should have booked two rooms from the start. No. For an expense account, the hotel rates here were far too high.

This kind of work was new to him, so he’d miscalculated. He’d guarded plenty of organization heads before, but in those cases, the bodyguards were deployed in rotating shifts, staying awake in the hallway or hotel lobby, forming a perimeter. He’d never done close-protection work like this, so he hadn’t had time to properly consider the logistics.

As he mulled over what to do with his eyes closed, drowsiness crept in. He was massaging the back of his neck, wondering whether to buy some coffee and go up, when a voice called out from behind.

“Mr. Yuri?”

A woman’s voice from memory. Though he hadn’t heard it often, it was familiar enough to place. Yuri guessed that his awaited visitor had arrived. Rising from the sofa, he saw a woman approaching him. Just like the last time he’d seen her, she had her brown hair tied up and wore round glasses—a modestly beautiful woman. Heather Parsons. A journalist for CTV.

“You came.”

He made his voice as unintimidating as possible. Toward women and omegas, he tended to try to be gentler than with alphas, but given his disposition, a soft tone was beyond him. He simply didn’t see reason to go that far.

“Yes! I hope you haven’t been waiting too long? I’m sorry—you must be tired.”

“Not at all. But is it all right for you to be out this late?”

“I drove, so it’s fine. I finally got off my learner’s permit and passed, so I can drive alone now.”

It had been nearly two years since they’d last seen each other, yet Heather chatted on without any awkwardness. It wasn’t information he was particularly curious about, but Yuri nodded.

“Good to hear.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Heather’s impression had changed quite a bit from when they’d first met. Back then, she’d been investigating an illegal case and had infiltrated dangerous places alone—when she’d come to them for help, she’d been desperate and fierce. Despite her small frame, Yuri had thought her courage was admirable, but it seemed that in everyday life, she was a bright and cheerful person.

“But Mr. Yuri, are you down here all by yourself?”

“Yes. The client wanted to shower.”

“Hmm, should we wait a little longer then?”

“No. It should be fine to go up.”

He’d been out for about thirty minutes—more than enough time. Saying that, Yuri took the lead toward the elevator. He heard Heather hurrying along behind him with quick footsteps, so he gradually slowed his pace to match hers. Soon, they were walking at the same speed.

“I’m sorry for suddenly introducing Cheriot to you out of the blue—it must have surprised you. In all my life, I’ve only ever seen two people who’d jump into dangerous work without any compensation. So I thought Cheriot needed someone like you. Besides, Cheriot has money to spare, so I figured he’d pay well and it’d help you out too.”

Listening silently to Heather’s words, Yuri pressed the elevator button and decided to ask the question that had been on his mind from the start. It was something that had been nagging at him ever since he’d decided to take the job.