Rogue agents 1: The prima ballerina

Finding common ground

*Ryan*

The laughter and warmth of Holly's dinner fade as I make my way up the stairs and down the dimly lit hallway, the chill of uncertainty crawling along my spine. I approach Karolina’s room, pausing at the door. She retreated ten minutes ago to get ready for bed, and I have allowed her so e privacy, but I need to keep an eye on her, even if it means pushing her buttons.

I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, projecting an air of casual confidenceI have perfected. “So, do you always throw people out of windows on the first date, or am I just special?” I grin, watching her tense posture.

Karolina stands at the foot of her bed, and turns, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “I’m not in the mood for your jokes, Ryan,” she shoots back, her voice sharp. “Also this is not a date, it’s an abduction.”

“Aw, come on, sweetheart. Lighten up. You’re safe here, at least for now.” I push myself off the doorframe and take a step inside, gauging her reaction.

“I don’t need you hovering around like a hawk,” she retorts, trying to sound defiant, but I catch the slight tremor in her voice. “I’m fine on my own.”

“Fine? You mean fine like the last time when you decided to hurl me out of a window?” I raise an eyebrow, leaning against the wall casually. “You’ve got to admit that wasn’t your best move.”

She narrows her eyes at me, a spark of irritation lighting up her features. “I was trying to escape. You think I trust you after everything?”

“Trust is overrated,” I say with a shrug. “But you might want to consider that I’m the only thing standing between you and your father’s people.” I take a step closer, lowering my voice. “You don’t know what they’re capable of, Karolina. I do.”

Her gaze softens, just a fraction, but I catch it. “And what about you? How can I trust someone who takes me against my will?” she counters, her voice barely above a whisper. “My father and his people has never hurt me.”

I lean in slightly, the playful banter shifting into something more serious. “I’m not here to hurt you. I might be a bit rough around the edges, but I’m not your enemy, and I do not hurt women.”

She hesitates, clearly torn. I can see the conflict playing out in her eyes… the longing for freedom battling against the instinct to seek safety. “You think this is easy for me? You think I wanted to be dragged into this mess?”

“Honestly? I think you’re handling it pretty well for a prima ballerina thrown into a world of spies and secrets,” I say, my tone lighter again. “Just imagine the dramatic flair of it all… ‘Daughter of the Villain, Saved by the Rogue.’ We could make a bestseller out of this, or a kick ass mini series for Netflix.”

“Very funny,” she snaps, but there’s a hint of a smile tugging at her lips, despite herself. “You’re insufferable.”

“That’s part of my charm,” I reply, a grin spreading across my face. “But really, you should think about letting me in. You need someone you can rely on, someone who knows the game. And as much as you want to pretend you’re fine, I can see you’re scared.”

She looks away, her defenses wavering. “I don’t want to be scared and I do not want to let you in. I just want to go home.”

“Home isn’t safe anymore, and you know it,” I say gently. “But I promise, I won’t let anything happen to you. You can trust me, even if it takes a while.”

Karolina meets my gaze, and for a moment, I see the flicker of vulnerability beneath her fierce exterior. “Trust is hard for me right now, especially you,” she admits quietly.

“Fair enough,” I say, stepping back slightly to give her space. “But I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. also I think I would think Our little chats.”

She rolls her eyes, but I catch a hint of amusement. “I don’t know if I’d call this a chat.”

“Touché. But you’ve got to admit, it’s more entertaining than sitting in silence.” I take a breath, feeling the tension shift slightly. “Look, I’ll be right outside if you need anything. Just… don’t do anything reckless like jumping out the window, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re like a babysitter,” she mutters, but there’s a faint smile on her lips now, and I can’t help but feel a sense of victory.

“Just consider me your very charming babysitter,” I say, matching her smile with a playful wink.

Karolina shakes her head, but the initial fire in her eyes dims just a bit. “You’re insufferable,” she repeats, but the warmth in her voice suggests she’s beginning to see the humor in it.

“Maybe, but you’re still stuck with me,” I reply, relishing the banter. “So, what’s your plan? Keep giving me attitude until I turn into a pumpkin?”

She scoffs, crossing her arms tighter, but I notice her shoulders relax slightly. “I’ll think of something,” she says, though I can tell the bravado is a mask for her uncertainty.

“Good. Because thinking of something is better than thinking of nothing, which is what usually gets people in trouble.” I pause, breathing out slowly. “But really, Karolina, I need you to stay sharp. Your father has eyes everywhere, and he won’t hesitate to come after you if he thinks you’re a threat to his plans.”

Karolina’s expression sobers, and for a moment, I see the prima ballerina… the one who commands the stage with grace and intensity. “I thought he was a good man,” she says, her voice wavering, almost as if she’s trying to convince herself.

“He’s not,” I say firmly, feeling a surge of protectiveness. “You’re caught in a web of lies, and you need to accept that. The sooner you do, the better chance we have of making it out of this alive.”

She nods slowly, the fight in her fading as reality sinks in. “I just… I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

“Believe this,” I say, my voice steady. “I’m here to help you. I know it’s hard to trust me, especially after everything that’s happened, but I’m really not that bad. Just give me a chance.”

Karolina looks up at me, her eyes searching mine for sincerity. “I’ll try,” she finally whispers, and I can see the flicker of hope igniting in her gaze.

“That’s all I ask.” I take a step back, giving her the space she needs, but I still feel the magnetic pull between us, and to be honest it scares the f**k out of me. “Now, get some rest. I’ll be just outside, listening.”

“Not like I’ll be able to sleep with you lurking around,” she shoots back, but there’s a hint of a smile on her lips again.

“Now that’s a compliment,” I say, chuckling lightly. “I’ll take it. Just remember, if you need me…”

“You’ll be right outside, I know,” she interrupts, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her amusement. “You’re like a bad penny, Ryan. You just keep turning up.”

“Guilty as charged,” I reply, a grin spreading across my face. “But I promise I’m more than just a pretty face. Besides, I come with a wealth of experience. And a killer playlist.”

“Great,” she says, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Just what I need.”

“Hey, I can dance too, you know,” I shoot back, doing a quick little shimmy that earns me a reluctant laugh from her. “I’m very versatile.”

“Please don’t,” she says, waving her hand dismissively, but the smile on her face is undeniable.

“Fine, I’ll save my talents for when we have something to celebrate.” I take a step back, my heart lighter. “But seriously, if you need anything… water, a midnight snack, or even a shoulder to cry on… you know where to find me.”

“Thanks, Ryan,” she says quietly, and I catch the sincerity in her tone. “For everything.”

“Just doing my job,” I reply, though I know it’s more than that. I want to protect her, to help her find her footing in this mess. “Goodnight, Karolina.”

“Goodnight, Ryan.”

I leave her room, closing the door softly behind me. I lean against the wall outside, running a hand through my hair, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

I hear the faint sound of her moving around inside, and I can’t help but smile to myself. There’s something about her spirit that draws me in… a fire that refuses to be extinguished, even in the darkest of circumstances.

But I know the danger isn’t over. If Romanov is as ruthless as I suspect, he’ll come for his daughter, and when he does, I’ll be ready, because I fear he would not care about hurting her if needed to protect his plan.

And this time, I won’t let anyone throw me out of any windows.