Demitri POV
I should’ve chosen the dress. Axel warned me not to get too involved, but the one they picked? It’s damn close to what I would have selected. Maybe I should’ve told them no slit, make sure it covers her shoulders—something a bit less revealing. But here we are, and she’s sitting there with the dress hugging her curves, the slit revealing just enough of her legs to make it impossible to concentrate.
I try to focus on tonight’s business, but the way she’s seated, both her legs are showing in a way that has my attention splitting in two. Axel catches my eye in the rearview mirror, giving me a knowing smirk, as if he can sense the internal battle I’m facing.
There are a few reasons for tonight. First, I want her to feel what it’s like for the characte
Alissia POVThe meal went… well? I’m not entirely sure. Twice, Demitri’s hand gripped my dress, covering my exposed thigh as if the sight of my skin was too much for him to bear. The second time, he held it so tightly, his fist clenched in the fabric like it physically hurt him to let me be exposed.Why does he care so much? If he didn’t want my leg on display, maybe he should’ve chosen a different dress? Now, it’s just the two of us left at the table, and he turns toward me, his sharp eyes catching mine.“Each day my work changes,” he begins, his voice steady but intense. “There may be days where you cannot join me, and days where you can be with me all day. I have a question, Alissia. What is your limit?”I blink. Limits again? Every man I’ve met so far asks me about limits. “I have no limits,” I say, the words leaving my mouth without hesit
Alissia POV“Thank you for the dress,” I say, looking up at him as we move, “but why?”He spins me around until my back is pressed against his chest, his breath warm on the back of my neck. “You want to portray the female character, right?” His voice is smooth, controlled. I nod, waiting for more. “How do you know how the female character feels? You don’t. The gift of the dress was meant to give you that same feeling—help you experience what your character would.”So this was all part of the research? His explanation makes sense in theory, but something still feels off. His eyes flick across the room, like he’s having a silent conversation with someone.I can’t shake the feeling that this dance isn’t just for me—it’s part of something larger, something calculated. He turns me and pulls my body closer to his, our movements fluid, but there’s a tension beneath it. His hand slides down my back, keeping me tight against him.Then his gaze shifts again. This time, I catch the moment he giv
Alissia POVHis lips hover near my ear, his next words a warning wrapped in temptation. “I can’t break my rules, Alissia.”The way he says my name—it’s a promise and a threat, all at once. It’s like he’s reminding me of the invisible line between us, the one he can’t cross, the one I shouldn’t want him to cross. But God, right now, I do. I want to feel him, to test the boundaries he’s so desperate to keep intact.I tilt my head slightly, letting my lips brush dangerously close to his jaw as I speak. “And what if I want you to break them?” I breathe, the words slipping out before I can stop myself.His grip tightens, and I can feel the tension radiating off him, a mix of restraint and desire. His fingers press harder into my back, pulling me even closer, so close that I can feel the heat of his body, the strength in the way he holds me. His breath is ragged, like he’s battling something within himself, trying not to give in to whatever this is between us.“I can’t,” he growls quietly,
AlissiaWhen I get back, it’s nearly midnight, and the apartment is silent. Jenni must be asleep, which means I can move around quietly, avoiding the questions I’m not in the mood to answer. I need to get changed—Blake is expecting me soon, and I have no idea what to wear for a stalking lesson.Is there even a dress code for stalking someone? I have no idea, and I feel flushed, not sure if it’s the lingering summer heat or the thrill of everything that’s happened tonight.Sighing, I settle on a pair of leggings, a t-shirt, and trainers. Something easy to move in, in case… well, in case I have to move fast. Tying my hair up in a loose ponytail, I grab a small crossbody bag and toss a few essentials inside. Gloves? Cap? He didn’t give me instructions, which makes me wonder—was that deliberate? Was it some kind of test to see if I can figure things out on my own?I glance at the clock. It’s a half-hour walk to the meeting spot. In the middle of the night. Perfect. I’m already running on
Alissia POVI take a seat across from him as he pulls out a sleek black laptop from his bag, setting it on the table. The way his fingers move, quick and precise, has me intrigued. He plugs in a few other pieces of tech—some device I can’t quite identify, maybe a small portable router, and then a USB drive. His focus sharpens as he types with speed, the quiet clicking of the keyboard blending with the low hum of the café.“Here we go,” he mutters under his breath, his eyes darting between screens.I lean forward, trying to get a glimpse of what he’s doing. His screen fills with lines of code, rapidly scrolling as he works. I don’t pretend to understand most of it, but I catch bits and pieces—IP addresses, security bypasses, encrypted files. His fingers fly over the keyboard with purpose, and before long, he smirks, tilting the laptop slightly so I can see.“There. Now we have access to his work computer.” He grins like it’s the easiest thing in the world, and maybe for him, it is.My
Alissia POV“Do you not hide your face?” I ask, feeling confused.Blake turns to me with a wink. “When you can get into their system and shut down their cameras and security, why would you?”He’s already done that? I stare at him, wondering just how deep his skills run. “You’ve done that?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.“Already sorted it. The cameras went down about two hours ago,” he says with a quick glance at his phone. “Everything is set. Come on,” he pushes open the door to a large building, and I follow him inside, my steps quieter now as the thrill—and fear—of what we’re doing hits me.He leads me through the corridors until we stop at a door, one that looks eerily familiar from the pictures we’d seen earlier.“Whose office is this?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.“The boss’s office,” he answers, smirking as he steps inside, his eyes scanning the room like a predator looking for its prey. Within moments, he finds what he’s looking for—a small, hidden camera perched in th
DemitriI stare at the documents in front of me, trying to focus. Numbers, shipments, deals—it’s all routine. Yet my mind keeps drifting back to her. Alissia. Everything about tonight gnaws at me. The dress. The dancing. The way her leg was exposed for all to see. I can still feel the tension from when I had to pull her dress closed, my hand gripping the fabric so tight it almost tore.She’s different. I can’t deny that anymore.“Have someone follow her,” I mutter to Axel, my tone sharp. His eyes widen in surprise.“Is that wise?” he asks cautiously.“I’m keeping my distance,” I say, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my temples. “I’m not watching her myself. I want someone else watching. After the threats, I feel like she isn’t safe. Send someone to keep an eye on her.”Axel sighs, knowing better than to argue when I make a decision. He pulls out his phone and sends a message, likely to one of our men who specialize in this kind of thing. I need to make sure she’s protected without
Demitri POVI step into the shadows, keeping my distance, watching her. I follow her, keeping to the shadows, careful to stay out of sight. She walks slowly, her clothes sticking to her from the rain, her head down, arms wrapped around herself as though she’s trying to shield against more than just the cold. I should turn back, I tell myself. I shouldn’t be here. But something keeps me following her, my footsteps quiet against the wet pavement.Twice, she turns, sensing someone. Her eyes scan the street, looking for movement, but I’m good at this. I stay hidden, watching her closely. Each time, she shakes her head and keeps walking, her pace quickening just slightly.I debate with myself, questioning whether I should speak to her, whether I should let her know I’m here. Would it be a mistake to intervene? I’m already too involved as it is. But something about seeing her alone, drenched, and vulnerable, won’t let me turn away.As she reaches her apartment building, she glances behind h
Demitri POVI let go of her chin and take a step back, giving her space but not taking my eyes off her. “I’m not your enemy, Alissia. But if you keep testing me like this, you’ll find out exactly how dangerous I can be. And believe me, that’s not what you want.”She watches me, her expression a mix of frustration and something else—something I can’t quite place yet. “You don’t scare me, Demitri,” she whispers, but her voice wavers just enough to let me know that’s a lie.I smile, just a hint of satisfaction in it. “I don’t need to scare you. I just need you to understand the rules. Follow them, and you’ll get everything you want. Defy them, and you’ll lose control of this situation faster than you can imagine.”Her jaw tightens, and she lets out a breath like she’s trying to regain her composure. But I can see it now—she’s rattled, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.She finally turns away, her shoulders tense. “You’re exhausting, you know that?”“You’re not making this easy either,
Demitri’s POVI watch as Salazar rises, satisfied with our conversation, but my mind is elsewhere. Alissia. Her defiance burns in my mind like a brand, twisting my frustration into something deeper, darker. She followed Salazar’s orders without hesitation, but when I command her, she pushes back like it’s a game.Why? Why does she challenge me so relentlessly? She wants to see my world, but she doesn’t respect its rules. That will get her killed. Worse, it will make me look weak. And weakness, in this life, is fatal.Salazar clasps my hand, his cold, calculating smile still in place as he bids his farewell. “A pleasure, as always, Demitri. Keep her in line, will you? It would be a shame to waste someone with such... spirit.” He chuckles, his gaze flickering to Alissia before turning away.I don’t respond. I just nod, my jaw clenched tight. As soon as the door closes behind Salazar, the air shifts. Silence fills the room, but it’s thick, charged with something unspoken. Alissia stands
Alissia POV“El Cuervo,” Demitri greets him, his voice respectful but firm.Salazar’s eyes shift to me, scanning me with a disconcerting intensity. “And who is this?” His voice is gravelly, accented, like each word is weighed carefully.“This is Alissia,” Demitri says, his hand still resting on my back. “She’s my personal assistant. Slowly learning the business.”Salazar’s eyes flicker with amusement, but there’s a hardness to his gaze. “Learning? This is no place for an amateur, Demitri. Can she be trusted?”Demitri stands tall, his expression unwavering. “She follows my orders. She can be trusted.”Salazar takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing as if he’s testing me, pushing for a reaction. “I don’t trust easily, Demitri. Not in this business. If she’s here, she must prove her loyalty.”The room feels smaller, the tension thicker. Demitri’s voice cuts through the silence. “Alissia, pour Salazar a drink.”Simple enough, right? But the way he says it, the demand in his tone, makes my
AlissiaI wake up to Demitri leaning over me, and I instantly hate him for it. The sleep was too good, too peaceful, and now it’s shattered by his presence. I roll out of Jenni’s bed, still half-asleep, and stumble into my room for a quick shower.Once I’m dressed—choosing a skirt and shirt that feel professional enough—I slip on my shoes and head out. As I walk into the living room, I catch Lucas and Demitri locked in a silent battle of glares. Fantastic. Not this again. I sigh, aiming for the kitchen, but Demitri’s hand shoots out, catching my arm before I can get far.“No time for that. We’ll grab you coffee on the way,” he says, his tone as smooth and controlled as ever. “Say goodbye to your serial killer friend.” His mockery is laced with amusement, but I can practically feel Lucas bristling behind me.I give Demitri a pointed look, then turn to Lucas. “Thanks for protecting me from all his... paranoia,” I quip, knowing it will get under Demitri’s skin.Lucas smirks, stepping for
Demitri POVWe stop and look around the warehouse.Axel leans in close, lowering his voice. “The shipment should arrive within the week, and the diamonds will be split for distribution in three different countries—France, Switzerland, and Dubai. Security’s tight on all ends, but you know how these things go. There’s always a risk of something slipping through the cracks.”I nod, watching as a crate is pried open nearby, revealing several small, velvet-lined boxes inside. Each contains diamonds—each sparkling like they hold secrets of their own. These stones could make or break the deal with Felipe tomorrow, but that’s not what worries me.No, what worries me is Alissia. Taking her to this meeting is playing with fire, and I’m not sure she understands just how quickly she could get burned.“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter, nodding toward the men in the office. “Then I’ll figure out how to handle tomorrow.”I push open the door to the office, the scent of stale cigars and whiskey hi
Demitri POVLeaving Alissia with Lucas was hard. There was something in Lucas’s eyes, a glint of amusement, like he had a plan—something he wasn’t telling me. But I left, trusting she would be fine. Still, it didn’t sit right. Not with the way she looked at him, not with the way Lucas seemed to thrive on her attention. I should have stayed, but I didn’t.When I return, Axel is waiting for me, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed and an amused smirk on his face.“Finally decided to come back, huh?” he teases. “Thought maybe you got lost or something. You know you missed an important meeting this morning, right?”I shoot him a glare, but he’s not wrong. I completely forgot about the meeting. My mind’s been tangled up in Alissia. “I was… occupied,” I say, brushing past him toward the hallway.Axel follows, his smirk growing wider. “Occupied, huh? Didn’t know ‘occupied’ was code for spending the night with a certain writer. Seems like Lucas wasn’t the only one with a plan.”
Alissia POVI should pull away. I know I should. But I don’t. I'm always in control, I never give it up. Yet now? God, I'm weak.“Surrender,” he repeats, his voice a low, seductive murmur. His fingers pause at the base of my neck, lingering just above my collarbone, as if daring me to lean into his touch. “It’s not about losing control. It’s about choosing who you give it to.”The words hit me harder than I expect, like a punch to the gut. I feel my pulse quicken, heat rising in my cheeks. His fingers brush over my skin again, and this time, I can’t help it—my breath catches in my throat.I’ve been playing this game with him, with all of them—holding my ground, keeping my distance, convincing myself I’m in control. But right now? Right now, it feels like Lucas is the one holding the cards. And God, it’s intoxicating.I need to turn around. I want to turn around. But I can already feel the shift happening, like the moment I face him, everything changes. Everything. And once I do, I kno
Alissia POVI stay with my legs draped over Lucas, thinking I’m the one in control, but apparently, in his mind, it’s the opposite. Typical. Across the room, Jenni glances at me now and then, cooking dinner. I know she’s waiting for an explanation. Maybe later when I head to bed, I’ll sneak into her room and fill her in. At least there, I can speak without worrying about Lucas overhearing.“So, what made you move here?” Lucas asks, his eyes narrowing as if he’s trying to piece me together.I shrug, trying to keep it casual. “Honestly? It was kind of impulsive. One minute I’m scrolling through my feed, the next, I’m like, ‘Why not?’ So I started looking for roommates, found Jenni, and here I am.”It sounds like nothing, and to me, it really wasn’t a big deal. There’s a freedom here I couldn’t find back in the UK.“Just like that, huh?” He chuckles, not quite buying the simplicity of it. “So, a change of scenery?”I nod, grinning. I’d always wanted out of the UK, and downtown Chicago fe
Lucas POVGiving in to her now would be the easy part, but it’s not what I want—not yet. Alissia made it clear she plans to stay single, to keep her distance, and if I kissed her now, it would just be a kiss. Empty. A moment that fades before it really begins.That’s where Demitri and Blake got it wrong. They rushed in, chasing the instant satisfaction, but they missed the real game. Where was the longing, the slow burn that makes her want more? If either of them had pulled back at the last second, left her on the edge of it, she’d be craving it now. They could’ve had her thinking about it, wondering when it would happen again, wondering why it didn’t.Pulling away? It’s not rejection. It’s control. And it’s mine now, not hers.As I move back slightly, I see it. The flicker of confusion in her eyes, like she’s trying to figure me out, trying to understand why I didn’t close the distance between us. She’s used to being in control, to making the choices, deciding who she lets in. But I