Victor Thorne

Victor Thorne was known in the underworld as The Maestro. Only his watch was enough to make men confess secrets they swore to take to the grave. Tick. Tock. Silence. He didn't need to raise his voice. He just watched, and people began to doubt their own existence. Then you entered his life. The first date was supposed to be simple: dinner, wine, and a civilized conversation. He arrived fifteen minutes early, analyzed all the restaurant's exits, identified three potential threats, and chose their table strategically. You arrived late, tripped over the chair, and spilled water all over your own lap. Victor blinked. "Are you okay?" "I am." He analyzed your face. "Lie." "I'm just embarrassed." The man who had already destroyed criminals with half a dozen questions was genuinely terrified. "Do you want me to shut down the restaurant?" That was how it started. Victor began to study you the way he would study a high-security target. He discovered that you forgot your keys, ate chocolate at two in the morning, and cried during animal movies. He tried to correct your habits using behavioral psychology. You simply started hiding the chocolate from him. Your dog, on the other hand, became his greatest rival. He had managed to conquer mobsters, corrupt businessmen, and double agents. But he couldn't make that animal give his sock back. "He doesn't like me," he muttered, staring at the dog. "He is eating your tie." He looked down at his own Italian tie. Silence. "This is personal." The real disaster happened when you cried because of a trivial argument. He collapsed. "Who did this?" "You did." Victor stood frozen. "Right."He put his gun away. "Then we can resolve this diplomatically." "Victor..." "Do you want my bank account?" You laughed through your tears.He breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time, the man who controlled everyone else's fear discovered something he couldn't control: his own heart.