Celeste’s POV

"You should be afraid of me, Celeste."

Adrian's voice is smooth, deadly. A promise tied in seduction. His body only inches from mine as he grips my wrist and keeps me there. The air between us is thick—dangerous, heated, heady.

I ought to be terrified.

I ought to be running.

Instead, I turn my head and smirk upward at him. But nonetheless, here I am, just in front of you.

Though his smile shows no joy, his lips curve. You don't know when to quit playing games.

I raise an eyebrow. Adrian, you're the one playing. I'm only winning.

His hold gets just strong enough to raise my pulse but not enough to cause pain. His touch is a warning, a quiet promise of what he could do should he choose.

You believe you are succeeding? His breath fans on my lips, his words dropping to a whisper. You have no clue what you have gotten yourself into.

My heart races against my ribs as I take a deep breath. Show me then.

For a single second, something primal, dark, possessive flashes in his gaze. His thumb brushes my lower lip as his fingers glide from my wrist to my jaw, lifting my head.

Be careful what you wish for, he says softly.

My heart races. Where he touches me, my flesh burns.

This is not right. This is risky.

Still, I can't turn away.

My breath is shallow and I split my lips slightly. Perhaps I enjoy risk.

His hold tightens, his eyes darkening. Celeste, no. You enjoy control. You enjoy believing you are in control.

Yes, I do. And I despise how easy he sees through me.

His thumb pushes into my chin, angling my face farther closer. Tell me, darling... Do you still believe you are in charge?

I refuse to give up and swallow hard. You?

For a time, neither of us shifted. The tension between us is like a live wire, crackling with heat and something else—something we shouldn’t identify.

Then he performs the one thing I do not anticipate.

He gives me a kiss.

It's not gentle. It's not mild.

This is war.

His lips slam into me, asking, punishing, robbing my lungs of oxygen. His hand pulls me closer by means of a knot in my hair, as if he wants to devour me whole.

I ought to shove him away. I ought to tell myself why I'm here.

Still, I don't.

I returned his kiss. Strongly.

As his other hand holds my waist, raising me onto the bar counter, a roar rumbles from his chest. Instinctively, my legs encircle his hips and he moves between my thighs, intensifying the kiss until I forget why I ever sought to fight.

Flame. That is what this is.

Unstoppable, unmanageable, a wildfire.

Fisting my hands in his shirt, I draw him unreasonably closer, my body betraying me and dissolving into his.

Tracing my thigh, his fingers glide under the hem of my dress, teasingly threatening to go farther.

Gripping his wrist, I gasp against his lips before he can go higher.

He remains still.

Then, gradually, he draws back, his blue eyes searing into me.

"Scared?" he mocks.

Ignoring the fire gathering in my stomach, I breathe quickly. Do you? Not ever.

His lips twist into a slow, devilish grin. Excellent.

Then he completely releases me, moving back as if nothing just occurred.

Breathless, I blink; my skin still tingles from his touch.

Bastard

He smooths his visage into something inscrutable and straightens his cuffs. We have now discussed the actual cause of your presence.

I feel a tightening in my tummy. What is the cause?

His grin vanishes. The brother of yours.

The atmosphere changes right away. What was once warmth between us turns colder and more acute.

A gradual exhalation hides my response. I have said you—

Lie to me again and I'll discover the truth myself. He speaks with steel. You won't enjoy my techniques, and I swear it.

A shiver rushes down my back.

Adrian Devereaux is not just hazardous when he desires something.

He is unrelenting.

And at the moment, I am his aim.

I make myself remain composed to consider. What precisely do you believe you know?

His eyes narrow. Your actual name is not Lila Carter. That you aren't just some random lady seeking employment. He approaches closer, speaking softly. The man in that image, then, is looking for you.

My blood runs chilly.

He's nearly there. Too near.

I have to mislead him.

Shaking my head, I chuckled softly. You believe I have some long-lost brother looking for me out there? That's a stretch, even for you.

Adrian's face remains unchanged. I don't believe it. I do.

I gulp.

Damien Living.

Should Adrian actually have evidence, then all I have scheduled is in jeopardy.

I have to get in front of this. I have to shape the story first.

I make a smirk. What then is your strategy? Lock me up here till I divulge some great secret, then?

His eyes dance with mirth. You'd already be in my bed, darling, if I believed it would help.

A wave of heat enters my body, but I suppress it.

You truly think well of yourself, don't you?

He tilts his head down. Not at all. I just know what I desire.

For a brief second, his attention falls to my lips before returning to my eyes.

And I always receive what I desire.

My heart races.

I had to leave this place. At this time.

Stepping passed him, I pushed off the bar. Our talk is finished.

But he holds my wrist and stops me first, so I cannot move forward.

Not just now.

Turning around to face him, I breath forcefully. Adrian, what do you want from me?

He grips more firmly. All.

I gasp.

His phrasing suggests more than simply veracity.

It's about me.

The air is again dense with something hazardous. Unstoppable.

And I see, too late, that I am already in too deep.

A loud bang reverberates around the penthouse, preventing me from speaking first.

Adrian's eyebrows knit together.

I scowl. Expecting guests?

His gaze toward the door keeps my wrist in his hold.

One more knock. This time was more difficult.

Adrian's voice is soft as he exhales. Remain here.

But the instant he releases me, I seize his arm.

Something seems off.

Who is it? I say softly.

His jaw clenches. I have no idea.

I feel a shiver down my back.

Three knocks. More loudly. More pressing.

Adrian's face darkens. Tense and fully attentive, he walks to the door.

My heart racing, I remain planted.

The moment he opens the door, it flies open.

And there is the last individual I ever anticipated to witness.

One man.

Dark locks. Emerald eyes.

The same green eyes as me.

Damien

Living.

And pointing a pistol directly at Adrian's chest.

Adrian’s POV

"Step aside, Adrian."

Damien Moreau.

I require no introduction. I already know who he is,

What about the rifle aimed at my chest? That's only a supplement to the actual danger: the storm developing in his green eyes, the same hue as Celeste's.

Frozen, she is behind me. Though she remains silent, I can sense her anxiety.

I stay still.

I don't close my eyes.

I don't even fucking breathe.

Since I don't follow directions.

Especially not from a deceased person.

You have five seconds to put down that pistol, I say, calmly. Under control. Before I let you rue entering that door.

Damien grins. Devereaux, always so calm. But we all know you are not bulletproof.

Stepping forward, I push the gun's barrel into my chest. Then squeeze the trigger.

Quiet.

He grips more firmly.

Still, he doesn't fire.

Her voice cutting, Celeste at last comes out of her daze. Damien, halt!

That one request alters everything.

Damien's gaze darts to her and his face changes. He clenches his jaw. His position wavers—just a little—but enough for me to see the uncertainty.

He's not coming to murder me.

He is here for her.

I take the time.

One quick action gets the pistol out of his hand by twisting his wrist. It falls to the ground.

I throw him against the wall, trapping him with my forearm on his throat, so he cannot respond.

His hands go up to grab my arm and fight me, but I don't let up.

That was a poor choice. "Threatening me in my own house."

Damien clenches his teeth. You believe I care about your house? I came for Celeste.

She's not going anywhere with you.

You can't keep her.

I push further, seeing his expression deepen. You can't have her.

A choked noise comes from his throat. I could kill him right here. Break his fucking neck.

But Celeste approaches nearer, her voice quivering. Adrian, let him go. I do not.

I ought to. Still, I don't.

"Adrian," she repeats, this time more gently. Begging.

And goddamn, I loathe how much control she has over me.

Cursing, I let him go and step back just far enough to allow him to breathe.

Coughing and throat rubbing, Damien gasps. Still, his gaze stays fixed on Celeste.

He gazes at her as though she were his whole universe.

As though he had waited years to see her once more.

It makes me angry.

She advances with caution. Damien... how? How do you live?

His jaw clenches. It's a lengthy tale.

Say that to me.

Damien looks at me, then exhales and turns his attention back to her. "Not in front of him."

Celeste is unsure.

That uncertainty drives me absolutely crazy.

I walk in between them and make her face me. Should you believe for even one second that I am allowing you to depart with him—

I clench my teeth. You believe he will tell you the truth?

Damien laughs derisively. At least I won't trick her into bed first.

I doubt it. I simply go.

A single punch.

Directly to his jaw.

He trips, swearing, but I carry on. Grabbing him by the collar, I push him back into the wall.

You don't get to come in here, threaten me, and behave like some fucking hero," I say. Where the heck have you been all these years?

Damien wipes blood from his mouth and glares. To live.

Pushing into my chest, Celeste steps in front of us. Both of you are sufficient!

I keep my gaze fixed on Damien. You would have returned sooner if you really cared about her.

You know nothing about what I went through.

I don't mind.

Celeste, her voice cracking, turns to Damien. Why didn't you let me know you were alive?

Damien gazes at her, his expression opaque. I couldn't take the chance.

"Risk what?"

He looks at me, then back to her. You.

She gasps.

Her gaze at him bothers me. The way her eyes relax.

And I certainly as hell don't like the way he stares at her.

As if she were his property.

I take her wrist and draw her closer. This is over.

Damien advances. Devereaux, she's not your property.

I grin. Not at all. But she certainly isn't yours either.

Celeste's voice is harsh as she pulls away from my hold. Stop treating me like some treasure to be claimed, both of you!

Her explosion leaves us speechless.

She glances at Damien after taking a hesitant breath. I seek solutions.

She gazes at me. But I am not going with him.

That should not make me feel triumphant. Still, it does.

Damien tightens his hands. That means you are wrong.

Celeste's lips close. Perhaps. But I have to create it.

He exhales and lets his shoulders drop a little. Staying with him will make you sorry.

I laugh grimly. Attempt to steal her; you will regret it.

Our conflict is a live wire.

One incorrect action and everything will blow apart.

Damien looks at her once more. When you are prepared to learn the truth, you know where to locate me.

Then, without saying anything more, he turns and departs.

Celeste exhales and rubs her temples the second he leaves.

I move closer. Say you weren't really thinking about going with him.

She drops into the sofa with a sigh. I was not sure what I was thinking.

Kneeling before her, I hold her chin and make her face me. I don't believe him.

She agrees. Me neither.

Well.

Still, something feels off.

Damien appearing now? All these years later?

It's intentional.

I don't think coincidences exist.

I go about, standing. He is aware of something. Something significant.

Celeste observes me closely. You believe he is concealing something?

He is, I know.

A silence lengthens between us.

Then, gently, she inquires, "Do you believe... Do you believe he could be telling the truth?"

I cease my pacing. Gaze at her.

Say the one thing that counts.

It doesn't matter to me.

Her brows knit. What is it?

I lean down and come closer till my face is inches from hers.

What he says doesn't matter, Celeste. Your past with him doesn't matter to me. Whether he's your long-lost brother or the fucking devil himself doesn't matter to me.

Caging her in, I hold the couch's edge. You belong to me. And I would set the planet on fire before I let anybody steal you from me.

Her breathing catches. Adrian

Sliding my hand to her neck, I brush my fingers across her quick pulse.

Should you go, I whisper, "I will hunt you down."

She trembles but stays put.

Should you attempt to run... I touch her ear with my lips. You will come to regret it.

Her body pushing into mine, her fists fisting in my shirt.

And just when I believe she will drive me away—

Strongly.

Despairing.

A giving up.

But her phone buzzes just as my hand slides beneath her dress.

She becomes rigid. Draws back.

Grabs for it with unsteady hands.

Seeing the TV makes her face pale.

I take the call before she can respond.

One name appears on the screen.

Unidentified Number.

The message, however, is obvious.

We know your location.

Adrian’s POV

"Who sent this?"

Though Celeste knows me well enough to detect the tempest below it, my voice is deadly calm.

Staring at her phone as though the screen may burst, she swallows hard. I—I have no idea.

Deceiver.

I move closer and grab the phone from her shaking hands. The message is brief, exact, and unsettling.

We are aware of your location.

Who the heck is us?

I look at Celeste; her breathing is irregular and her face is white. She is really afraid.

Well.

Fear motivates survival.

On the other hand, fear drives individuals to act foolishly.

Such as running.

I raise her chin to make her look at me. Speak, Celeste.

She declines. I don't know who—

Don't deceive me.

Her lips apart, but no words emerge.

Since she is aware.

That really annoys me.

I hold her waist and draw her nearer. I can save you. But not if you lie to me.

Her gaze flits away. I—

The phone vibrates once more.

One more note.

A picture this time.

A dim alleyway. One streetlight throwing shadows.

And at the center—Damien.

Covered in blood. Kneeling. A rifle aimed at his head.

Come by yourself, Celeste. Otherwise he passes away.

Her breathing catches.

I stay still.

I don't close my eyes.

But within?

I see crimson.

Celeste takes the call. I must leave.

Before she can move, I grab her wrist. You are kidding.

Adrian, let go. Not me.

Since I already know her thoughts.

She will dash directly into the flames.

And she intends to do it absent me.

Leaning down, my voice a deadly whisper. Run, Celeste, and I'll pursue you.

She trembles. I must save him.

What occurs then if you step into their trap? When will they take you instead?

She winces.

Knowing I'm correct.

Still, she is rather obstinate.

She pulls her wrist loose. I can't simply sit back!

Who claimed I was idle?

Her eyes get wide. "You can't simply..."

See me.

I take out my own phone and call Theo.

He picks up on the first ring. Chief.

There's an issue.

Where are you?

I look at Celeste. I'm texting you the location right now. Prepare the squad. I want to see everywhere.

Understood.

I pocket my phone and hang up.

Celeste folds her arms. You were warned to keep out of this.

I grin. You said to me?

She scowls. You didn't start this.

Incorrect. I go closer, my breath fanning her lips. Anything that calls for your involvement? My battle is

Her neck bobs up and down. Adrian, I tilt her face up and cup it. You wish to save Damien? Okay. But you're not traveling by yourself.

Her lashes quiver. You don't get to choose that.

I grin. I do when your life is on the line.

She exhales unsteadily. I loathe you.

Falsehood.

I give her a kiss.

Strongly.

Intense.

Claiming her back.

She gasps, her body melting into mine, her nails clawing into my arms.

I draw back only enough to say, "Stay near. Follow my example. And don't—fucking—run.

She agrees. Hardly.

Satisfactory.

I take my gun and put it in my holster. Let's go on.

The alley is darker than in the picture.

Quiet.

Too quiet.

I look around. Nothing is moving. No noise.

But I sense it.

Someone is watching us.

Celeste holds my arm. Something is amiss.

I keep her behind me as I move on. Stay nearby.

She doesn't dispute.

That by itself indicates to me how terrified she is.

We round the corner—

Blood runs down his face. His hands are bound behind him and his shirt is ripped.

He raises his head to see Celeste. You should not have arrived.

A slow clap reverberates along the alley.

Then he emerges from the shadows.

Viktor Langley

Grinning like the devil himself.

Celeste tightens. You.

Victor turns his head. Disappointed, darling?

I go forward to protect her. Let him free.

Victor laughs. Adrian, dear. So always demanding.

I grasp my weapon tighter. I will not repeat it.

Victor pretends to be bored and sighs. Alright, alright. First, though…

He clicks his fingers.

From the shadows two guys with rifles drawn show up.

Aimed at Celeste.

My blood freezes.

Victor grins. Now, let's discuss the company.

"If you move, I’ll put a bullet in her head."

The icy, harsh voice makes me shiver.

I dare not to breathe.

Steady and unchanging, the rifle rests on my head.

A few steps away, Adrian stands with a stone-carved visage but his blue eyes—those lethal, glacial eyes—are on fire.

He seems eager to murder.

Adrian responds, his voice flat, "Lower the gun." Regulated. But I know better. He's moments away from snapping.

Victor Langley grins. Why should I now?

Still on his knees, blood running down his face, Damien moans. Celeste, please don't...

The man clutching me drives the barrel farther into my flesh.

Adrian's jaw tightens. God, I swear

Hush. Victor lifts a hand. Let's not be too hasty. Watching me, he tilts his head. Speak to me, Celeste. Tell me, Celeste. "How does it feel to have both men willing to die for you?"

I scowl. Go to hell.

He chuckles, entertained. Spirited. That's good.

Adrian moves forward. Let her. Let. Her. Leave.

Victor exhales. Adrian, you are no fun. He gestures to the guy keeping me. Lay down the gun.

Relief floods through me, but it doesn't last.

Then Victor draws his pistol.

Then aims it at Adrian.

Not at all.

No, no.

Celeste, let's play a game. Victor smiles. Whom would you like to save? Your brother… or your lover?

I feel queasy.

Pick.

I nod my head. I—

You have five seconds left.

I can hear my heart thumping.

I look at Damien. His emerald eyes—so much like my own—plead with me.

Three.

I look at Adrian. He is observing me, unflinching. Sturdy. Quiet.

I inhale.

I cannot decide.

But should I not— One.

I do what only I can.

I take the knife concealed in my sleeve and attack the guy holding me.

He screams as the pistol falls from his hands. I wriggle free, hiding as a gun fires— Adrian shifts.

Quick.

Excessively quick.

Gunfire breaks out.

Damien lunges to take down Victor. Fists flying, they struck the ground.

Adrian seizes me and drags me behind him. Remain down.

"Like hell!" Grabbing the dropped pistol, I point it at the second guy rushing us.

Bang!

He falls.

Adrian grins. You have practiced.

Shoot and shut up.

More rounds fired. More bodies drop.

Victor swears and pushes Damien away. Though his suit is stained with blood, he smiles.

Celeste, you really are full of surprises. He licks his lips clean. This only became more enjoyable.

I point my pistol toward his head. Not for you.

He grins more broadly. That remains to be seen.

Then—

My eyes are stinging and I cough.

Celeste!

Adrian's tone. Uneven. Near.

A hand grips my own—strong, warm.

I hang on.

Victor vanishes as the smoke clears.

Yet he left something.

One playing card.

Spades' Ace.

Adrian snatches it up, his jaw clenched. It isn't finished.

Not at all.

It's only starting.