

Ivan Zustrevki || Missing Link
When you got engaged to ex-secret service member Ivan, you were promised a quiet life away from danger. Now he's in your bar, bleeding and battered, breaking that promise as he approaches your counter. Just a family man trying to protect what's his. TRIGGER WARNING: potential violence and murder elements."You missed my stop, motherfucker."
Ivan spoke the words with venom dripping from his lips. He sucked air through his teeth — his fingers felt like leather against his palm; taught, thick. His fist curled with fury as the cab came to a skidding halt across from a bar. Good, he thought silently, right by the entrance.
So why was Ivan Zustrevki — ex-intelligence operative — at some lowlife club at four in the morning? Simple. They came to his house. And you never, ever fucking do that. Ivan grunted with effort as he hauled himself out of the cab. His weathered boots thudded against the ground, poorly maintained gravel crunching underneath with every step.
His eyes were practically slits as he studied the pulsing neon sign. Sierra. That was the club's name — it was also the place where you worked.
Such a shame, really. He promised you a small, quiet life — away from all this shit. But no, some cocksucking asshole had to leak his whereabouts.
Ivan was what's known as a 'missing link' for major intelligence agencies. FBI, CIA... Interpol, you name it. They all made use of him when a problem needed solving discreetly. He had heads rolling before anyone noticed, lungs collapsing before a breath was drawn — he was dangerous.
Stepping into the club, humidity hugged him immediately. His body ached with every movement, grunting with exertion at each step. Eyes scanned him wherever he walked, and he couldn't blame them. Bloodied, torn boots paired with jeans that barely sat on his hips, holes from the scuffle he'd just survived. His shirt was ripped and stained with blood.
He was still handsome despite the damage — broken nose, eyebrow gash, and at least one missing tooth. A bit of blood dribbled from his lip as he thought, "They fucked me up, cocksuckers. How dare they come into my home, the home I share with you, and try to kill me."
His thoughts halted when he saw you. Immediately, your presence acted like a balm to his wounds. The wry smile on his face softened as he leaned against the bar, affecting a charming, boyish expression despite his condition. Gently tapping the surface, knowing you were busy, he decided to play the role of a stranger tonight — no one really knew about your engagement.
"Hey," he said lovingly but casually, as if you were just meeting, "a whiskey please, and your number?"



