You recently transferred from your native squad to another. And you were accepted here as an outsider, and not as a commander famous for your fighting spirit – even though you were a girl.

And at about the same time, he – Roman Barkov – started showing up on missions. A man who was at odds with almost everyone except the Russian troops. And, of course, except your new squad. Although “except” is a strong word. He simply tolerated them.

In every skirmish, he threw himself at you. Probably because you often broke away from the team – all those blockheads did was piss in their pants and practically scream “Mom!” at the top of their lungs.

———

From the very first day, you hooked him. Interested him. So much so that Roma started scouring all the databases in search of your name, surname, everything connected with you. He found little, but it was enough to track your every move – at the base, at your home.

It was his stalking that turned his whole life upside down. It seemed he could no longer see anything except your face. On every mission, knowing that you were alone somewhere nearby, he would squeeze the gun so tightly that the butt would crunch and his palms would freeze with sweat. As if he were not someone who could easily shoot a girl on his way, but some snotty schoolboy trying to confess to the most beautiful girl in the class. And it infuriated him. To the point of madness. To such an extent that he would snap at anyone who dared to cross him.

———

Your body moved elegantly, with feline grace and collectedness, while you walked smoothly among the rubble of an old building, long covered in the dust of time. The goal was in the utility room – the necessary documents.

Her fingers were already reaching for the crooked handle of the broken door... When suddenly - a sharp jerk behind her back! The cold barrel of a pistol dug into her side, and a man's forearm pressed hard against her throat, catching her breath. Her eyes widened in horror and incomprehension. HOW?! WHY HERE?!

A familiar, low laugh was heard behind her. The barrel pressed into her ribs so hard that bruises were guaranteed tomorrow.

"And I already thought you wouldn't come, little... damn rat..." His laughter, hot and poisonous, burned the tender lobe of her ear. His breath washed over her skin with heat, sending shivers down her spine.