Blake POVBefore I can sit down, Demitri throws out another mocking comment. “At least you have some use.”I stop in my tracks, irritation flaring. “Keep pushing, and I’ll have everything off your secure network in seconds. One little leak, and see how fast your empire crumbles.”Demitri pulls out his gun, his eyes flashing with anger. Of course.“Stop!” Alissia’s voice slices through the tension. “I thought there was honor among thieves. Isn’t that the saying?”We both laugh. It’s the wrong thing to say.“No, kitten,” Demitri smirks, “it’s no honor among thieves. You can’t trust them.”“Right, but surely you two could work together? He could keep your stuff safe, right?” She looks between us, her voice laced with desperate logic.Demitri scoffs. “He’s not coming near my network.”“I don’t want to,” I mutter, folding my arms. “How many people have you killed this week?” I add, my voice full of sarcastic bite.Demitri laughs darkly. “I’ve got space for another if you keep running that
LucasI haven’t spoken to Alissia since our first meeting. Been busy, working on our next target. The one who made that threat to her on the dark web? I figured out who he is—Ryan Jenkins. I’ve kept her out of it for now. She doesn’t need to be involved yet, not until I’m sure it’s safe. Jenkins is a wildcard, the kind of guy who dabbles in everything but masters nothing. A hacker, a stalker, a rapist, a murderer—he’s sloppy, all over the place. But he’s dangerous enough to get away with it because he has money and connections. He can pay off the right people to make evidence disappear, and walk free every time he screws up.He’s been on my radar ever since he threatened her. The problem is, I can’t afford to let him see her—he could make a move, and I can’t risk that. I’ve been watching him, planning. Normally, I’d take my time, but every day Jenkins is alive is another day Alissia is at risk. And I can’t have that.She’s bold, reckless even, but I doubt she realizes the kind of dang
Lucas POVAlissia sighs, rubbing her forehead like she’s already exhausted by this. “Yes, I do.”His eyes narrow, his patience wearing thin. “You gain nothing from being here, Lucas. Walk away. You know it’s the smarter move.”I lean back, unfazed. “And what if I refuse? You gonna make me?” Of course he knows me, that menas he's Demitri. He's the only mafia I've had contact with.He steps forward, his frame towering as the air around us crackles with tension. “That would be a foolish move.”Before I can respond, Alissia steps between us, her voice sharp, cutting through the standoff. “Enough! Demitri, if he ends up dead, I’m coming for you. I’m working with him. I agreed to shadow him, and I’m not backing out. This is my choice, not yours.”Her words hang heavy in the air, and for a moment, it seems like she’s the only one holding us all together. Demitri’s death glare remains locked on me, though. “Just a warning, Lucas,” he growls. “If she gets hurt because of you, they won’t find y
Alissia POVSitting between Lucas and Demitri feels like being wedged between two ticking time bombs, both set to explode at the slightest provocation. I’m exhausted—not just from the lack of sleep, but from the constant bickering. Herding feral cats? Ha, more like wrangling lions. Dangerous, unpredictable, and endlessly exasperating. Blake, on the other hand, looks like he’s having the time of his life, tapping away on his laptop with a smug little grin that says I live for this chaos.“I can get the address, but it’s gonna take a few days,” Blake mutters, his fingers flying across the keyboard like he’s hacking into the Pentagon.“Days?” Demitri practically growls, arms crossed like a pissed-off mob boss—which, well, he is. “Some expert you are,” he adds with a sneer, daring Blake to challenge him.Blake doesn’t disappoint. He stands up, stepping back with all the flair of someone who’s been waiting for an opening to stir the pot. “Oh really? Fine, get your guy to do it. I guarantee
Alissia POVThe name keeps ringing in my ears like an alarm. “Ryan Jenkins?” I ask quietly, my voice unsteady. “As in J-E-N-K-I-N-S?”Demitri’s head whips toward me, his eyes narrowed. “You know him?”I feel their collective attention zeroing in on me, and suddenly I’m standing in the middle of a storm I didn’t know was brewing. I swallow hard, trying to push down the panic. “I know a Ryan Jenkins, but... not this one. I didn’t think it was him.”Demitri’s intense stare doesn’t waver. “Who is he? How do you know him?”I take a deep breath, my heart hammering in my chest. “We... dated. A long time ago.” The words come out hesitantly, and I can feel the weight of their scrutiny bearing down on me.“And?” Lucas presses, leaning forward with interest. “That’s not the whole story, is it?”I shake my head, trying to stay grounded in my version of reality. “When I was eighteen, my uncle passed away. He didn’t have any other family, so he left everything to me—his business, his estate. Ryan w
AlissiaI sit between Lucas and Blake, with Demitri brooding in the corner, and I feel like I’m drowning in the chaos they’ve created. This day started with their childish bickering, but now, it’s spiraled into something much darker, something twisted. What I thought I knew—about my uncle, my life—it’s all unraveling. It’s too much. I thought I had no limits, but apparently, I do. And this is it.I glance at Lucas, trying to stay grounded in something I can control, even if it’s just my research. “What’s the plan for us?” I ask, focusing on him, hoping to sidestep the madness for a moment.Blake’s laughter interrupts my attempt at normalcy. “Oh, so you’re just going to play pretend and ignore the fact that your life is basically a conspiracy thriller now?”“I’m focusing on what I can control—my book, my research.” I shoot him a glare. “What’s next, Lucas? You came here for a reason, right?”Lucas leans forward, his eyes dark and unreadable. “I’ve been tracking Jenkins, figuring out hi
Alissia POVStanding, I head to the fridge and pull out a bottle of water. I need the moment to think—compose myself. Demitri’s offer hangs in the air like a challenge, one I’m desperate to accept but terrified of at the same time. I want to know. I want to know what it feels like for a woman in his life who gets to see everything, who means more than just a casual fling. That’s the only way I can truly capture it for my book.I take a deep breath, then turn to face him, squaring my shoulders. “Yes,” I say, voice steadier than I feel inside. “That’s exactly what I want.”Behind me, Blake whistles, and Lucas snickers.Demitri steps forward, his presence commanding the room. “And you’ll follow my every order? Do everything I say?” His words are edged with something dark, and I feel my pulse quicken.God, I don’t give up control. But something in me—maybe that reckless, insatiable curiosity—makes me nod, even though it feels like I’m forcing it.“Then prove it,” Demitri says, his voice l
Lucas POVI sit next to Alissia, the tension in the room finally dissipating as the door closes behind Demitri and Blake. They’re gone, for now. I stretch out on the couch, letting myself relax for the first time tonight.She sits beside me, her eyes glancing toward me like she’s sizing me up—probably trying to figure out if she should really be doing this. I can practically feel the questions buzzing in her head.See, I never intended to get too deep with Alissia. Sure, there was a pull, something intriguing about her, but dating? Fucking? That wasn’t part of the plan. At least, not until I watched her stand up to Demitri without a hint of fear. That confidence, that fire—damn, it was sexy as hell.And now? Now it’s more than just her. It’s the fact that Demitri and Blake want her too, that competitive edge crawling under my skin. I want to be the one to win her over, to be the first to claim her, to fuck her. Am I crazy for it? Maybe. I never thought I’d get caught up in something l
Alissia POVKozlov leans in close, his eyes glinting with a dark curiosity as he studies me. “Why are you fighting?” His voice is quiet, menacing, but I meet his gaze with a bitter smile.“Why would I give in?” I murmur, refusing to show fear.He straightens, casting a glance at one of his men. “She was with a woman in the restaurant, right? No one else?”The man nods, his voice flat. “Just her and another woman. No one who would come looking.”Kozlov’s lips curl into a satisfied smile as he turns back to me. “And her phone? Was it left behind?”“On the table.” The man shrugs, confident. Kozlov visibly relaxes, reassured.My lips quirk despite myself, and I can’t hold back a smirk. Kozlov catches it, his eyes narrowing, suspicion dawning. He leans closer, his gaze piercing as it sweeps over me.“No… there’s something else. You
Alissia POVI twist my wrists against the ropes, feeling the rough fibers dig into my skin as I fight to keep calm. I know exactly why Kozlov wants me. The rhythm—my uncle’s strange, lilting tune—is the key to the family’s most treasured possession, a gold painting he stole from them. It’s why they’ve been hunting me all this time, why Kozlov couldn’t let me simply disappear. I’d found that old video of my uncle singing it to me when I was a child, and that melody had stayed hidden in my memory, only surfacing when I stumbled upon the video.Kozlov steps back into the room, his eyes dark with calculation as he sizes me up. His mouth curves in a cruel smile, his tone mocking. “Are you ready to be reasonable, Alissia? Or shall I continue to wait while you test my patience?”I meet his gaze, forcing myself to stay steady. “You’re wasting your time. I haven’t interfered with your business.
Alissia POVWe stare at the masterpiece in front of us, both marveling at its presentation. When we finally cut into the crispy shell, the savory aroma that wafts out is heavenly. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors—the smoky salami, the tender meatballs, the melted cheese, and the rich, buttery pastry crust. We eat slowly, savoring each bite, occasionally exchanging looks of awe.“This is… amazing,” Jenni sighs, eyes closed in bliss.“Demitri was right about this place,” I say, thoroughly enjoying the meal. After a moment, I take a deep breath, and Jenni notices the thoughtful look on my face.“So,” she says, arching an eyebrow, “you look like there’s something else you want to share.”A small smile tugs at my lips. “I told them I love them,” I say, watching her eyes light up.“Wait, really? All three of them?”I nod, feeling
Alissia POVAs I step into the room, all three of them turn to face me, eyes sharp and expectant.“Where do you think you’re going?” Demitri’s voice is calm but curious.“To grab something to eat,” I say, unable to hold back a grin. “Jenni and I are going to have some food, maybe a few drinks, just to relax.”Demitri raises an eyebrow. “Go to La Dolce.” Demitri looks at me.“We will, so is that a yes?” I ask.“Fine. Just promise me you’re not getting wasted.” Demitri laughs.I hold up my pinky finger, giving him my most innocent smile. “Pinky promise. I’ll keep it classy.”He nods, though his gaze is still assessing. “Alright. Axel will drive you both there and pick you up. You don’t leave that restaurant, understood? If you need anything, call.”“I won’t leave. I promise,” I ass
Alissia POVJenni relaxes a bit more, then looks over at my laptop. “So, how’s the story coming along?” she asks, a hint of curiosity brightening her eyes. “Did you get much done today?”I glance at the screen and let out a small laugh. “It’s coming along, I think. A lot of it is inspired by what’s happened recently—though I’m definitely taking some liberties.” I tap the keys absentmindedly, thinking of the fictional twists I’ve added, but there’s a thread of reality that I know she can pick up on.“Is it still about that reckless author who dives into the criminal world to experience it for her book?” she teases. “Trying to understand those three mysterious men?”I chuckle. “Absolutely. She just keeps digging herself in deeper and deeper. It’s more complicated now, though. She’s starting to realize that it’s not just her career on
Alissia POVAfter a long soak in the bath, I slip into something comfortable, letting the warmth linger as I step into the main room. Demitri and Axel are seated, heads close together, clearly engrossed in some business matter. I grab my laptop, determined to finally make progress on my story. Writing has been an uphill climb lately, but with a deep breath, I settle in, knowing I can’t put it off any longer.About ten minutes in, I feel restless, my fingers drumming against the keyboard. I close the laptop, needing a small break. “Coffee?” I offer, needing one myself, Demitri’s eyes lift, a soft smile forming.“Sure,” he replies, nodding. I move to the kitchen, pulling out the cups and setting up the coffeemaker. A moment later, strong arms slide around my waist, pulling me back against a familiar chest. My body instantly relaxes, a smile tugging at my lips as Demitri’s hand traces a slow path up the inside of my top, hi
Blake POVOdell leans back in his cell, putting on an exaggerated pout. “Aw, come on, Lucas. I was really looking forward to having a new toy in here. You can’t just dangle the possibility and take it away. Can’t you work a little magic and get the cutie locked up anyway?”Lucas chuckles, shaking his head. “Who knows, Odell. If he slips up again, he just might end up right where you want him.” With that, he ends the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket.Jake is staring at Lucas with a sickened expression, the reality of what just happened settling heavily on his face. Lucas smirks, a glint of dark amusement in his eyes. “All the best underground men have connections, Jake. Consider this a guarantee—if you go back on the deal, you’ll find yourself kept nice and warm every night by Odell. And he’ll be waiting.”Jake swallows, his face pale as he nods, finally underst
Blake POVI’ve been at this for well over an hour, digging through every piece of information on Jake with Lucas by my side. We’ve uncovered bits and pieces, small incriminating details here and there, but nothing substantial enough to send him running from Jenni for good. Every promising lead fizzles out, and frustration gnaws at me. Without the option to kill him—since Jenni would inevitably blame Alissia for any “mysterious disappearance”—we’re left with blackmail or some other way to scare him off.Lucas mutters under his breath, frustration clearly getting to him as well. Then, out of nowhere, he chuckles, the sound low and amused. I look up from my screen, curious.“You found something?” I ask, hopeful.“No, but I’d bet anything that, based on how long they’ve been quiet, she’s probably got Demitri under her thumb,” he smirks, eyes glinting with amusement.I g
Alissia POVWith a playful smirk, I slip off his lap, stepping back to let his anticipation build, and turn to the wall where the riding crop hangs. I take my time reaching for it, letting him see exactly what’s coming next, his eyes narrowing as I turn back to him with the crop in hand."Alissia," he growls. I smile, the leather handle feels warm and familiar in my grip, and I run it slowly up his thigh, watching the way his muscles tense with each inch it travels. He’s trying to hide his reaction, but the light in his eyes betrays him.I stroke the crop up his chest, tracing a path along his abs, letting it dance over his collarbone, teasing him as he breathes a little faster. Without warning, I flick my wrist, letting the crop tap his shoulder lightly. He stiffens, but there’s a spark in his gaze, his lips pressing into a tight line as he suppresses the smirk I know is fighting to surface.I climb back onto his lap, feeling the heat r