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
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
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
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
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.”
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
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 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