Selene’s POV

I didn’t scream again. I ran - or tried to.

Before I could move a hand grabbed me and without thinking, My fingers closed around the shattered lamp on the console table beside me, jagged glass digging into my palm as I swung it hard—one of the men ducked, but the second wasn’t fast enough. The base cracked against his jaw with a sickening crunch, and he dropped like a sack of bricks.

I had no idea what I was doing - but call it panic or anger - or hell a combination of both.

“Grab her!” one of them barked.

I kicked, twisted, bit—anything to stop them.

But I was no match for them.

A third man grabbed my wrist, yanking me off my feet. The air left my lungs in a gasp as I hit the floor, my knees slamming into the cold tile.

Then he slapped me - so hard that my ears rang and my eyes burnt from the sharp pain across my cheek.

“Stay down,” the man snarled, gripping my hair.

I tasted blood in my mouth. My vision blurred. But I still thrashed, trying to get away from his strong hold.

“You’re not taking me,” I spat.

“Oh, we are,” he hissed. “do you have any idea how much was paid for you, you bitch!?”

I am not a property! I' wanted to scream but I knew that these men wouldn't care the less.

The one I’d knocked out groaned behind me, starting to stir.

I didn’t stop struggling—not even as they started dragging me toward the door, My heels scraping gainst the floor. Not when one shoe slipped off from my leg because of my struggles. Not when my head was spinning and I felt like the walls of the hallways were closing in on me.

Then—

Gunshots filled the air. Loud and before I could react or turn to see what was happening,The man holding me crumpled to the ground, dragging me with him.

I hit the floor hard, my breath knocked clean out of me. My ears buzzed.

Through the ringing, I heard the sound of boots— marching over to us.

I looked up and saw a man stepping out of the smoke and shadows, black coat billowing like the night itself had split open. Tall. Sharp-jawed. Ice-eyed. A gun still smoking in his gloved hand.

He didn’t even blink.

The second intruder turned to run, but he didn’t get far. A second shot rang out, and he fell.

Then he turned to me.

I tried to scramble back, but my body refused. My limbs trembled, barely listening.

He walked toward me slowly, like he had all the time in the world. Calm. Composed. Terrifyingly silent.

And then he spoke.

“Selene Laurent.”

My name in his mouth made my heart skip in a very unpleasant way.

He knelt in front of me and reached out. I flinched, expecting more violence. Instead, his hand cupped the back of my head gently, steadying me.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

My throat closed up. My voice was barely a whisper. “Who are you?”

He studied me for a second. His face didn’t soften, but his grip did.

“I’m the man who just saved your life. I'd say a thank you was in order.”

Saved my life…

How? Why?

I looked around and shuddered at the bodies on the floor - he had killed them. Murdered the men who came to take me.

I have no idea who this man was but wherever he came from he just rescued me.

The gods must have heard my prayers and sent down a Guardian angel to save me.

I could feel myself shaking - but I lifted my head to look at him and tried to smile.

“If you weren't an angel,” I whispered voice croaked, “I would have kissed you right now.”

He chuckled and said something but I didn't hear.

“You killed them.”

“They were here to take you.” His gaze dropped briefly to the bruises forming along my wrist. “I couldn’t allow that.”

“You… how do you know my name?”

He tilted his head slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching—almost a smile.

“I’ve known your name for a long time, Selene.”

I stared at him. There was something terrifying about how quiet he was, how sure of himself.

He helped me to my feet like I weighed nothing. My legs buckled once, and his arm caught me around the waist.

“Steady,” he murmured.

My pulse thundered in my ears.

“You can’t just show up here and—”

“And what?” he asked softly. “Save you? Keep you from being sold to the highest bidder by your own husband?”

Before I could respond, sirens echoed in the distance.

He glanced toward the broken window, then back at me. “We need to leave. The police won’t be able to protect you from the people Damien crossed.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek black phone, tapping a message quickly.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I whispered, though my body leaned into his warmth like a traitor.

He met my gaze, eyes so pale they looked like smoke. “You don’t have a choice.”

“You sound just like him.”

“Thats not a compliment.”

“Why did you rescue me? Who are you?

His hand lifted to my cheek. Just a brush of his fingers against my bruised skin—but it made my chest tighten.

He didn’t answer right away. Just looked at me like he was peeling away every lie I’d ever wrapped myself in.

“Because you are mine, Selene.”

The world spun and my knees gave out completely.

His arms wrapped around me just before I hit the floor, holding me like I was something fragile.

The sirens screamed louder, closer.

And then everything faded to black.

{Ronan’s POV}

She whimpered in her sleep.

Even unconscious, she was restless—like her body didn’t trust peace anymore. Her legs were tangled in the sheets, one arm thrown over her chest as if trying to shield herself.

The bruises on her jaw were darker now. The swelling around her lip had set in. I hated how small she looked in my bed. Like she was trying to disappear into the mattress.

I hadn’t taken my eyes off her in over an hour.

Not because I didn’t trust my security team—no one could touch her now.

But because for the first time in years, I wasn’t sure if I’d saved someone... or destroyed her.

My phone buzzed on the glass table beside me. I let it ring once. Twice. Then I picked it up.

“Talk.”

Luca’s voice came through, low and steady. “Cleanup’s done. Cops bought the story—break-in gone bad. Two bodies disposed. The third one... he’s still breathing.”

“Name?”

“Vincent Franco. Ex–White Fang crew. Guessing he got bought out by Salvatore’s men.”

Of course he did.

“They send a message?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“Yeah,” Luca muttered. “You’re not untouchable anymore.”

I exhaled, eyes drifting back to Selene. “I never was. Just better at bleeding in silence.”

A pause on the line. “Ronan…”

“Say it.”

“You know what this means. You hit back, you risk war. You never do and now they will think that you are slipping. Getting soft.”

“I’m not slipping.”

“I know. But the board’s watching. Investors are jumpy. The banks—”

“I don’t care about the fucking banks, Luca.” My voice dropped to a quiet, dangerous edge. “Do you think I’m scared of losing money?”

“No,” he said immediately. “But if they come for her again—”

“They won’t.”

Another pause.

“Ronan…”

“I said they won’t.”

I ended the call.

Silence returned.

Selene shifted again, brow furrowed like she could feel my anger from across the room.

God. She didn’t even know the half of it.

---

Two years ago, I’d been sitting in that same armchair when Damien brought her to my world for the first time.

He was grinning like a wolf who thought he’d outsmarted the pack. "This is Selene," he’d said at the gala, all charm and showmanship. "My fiancée."

She’d extended her hand with a soft, uncertain smile.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Blackwood.”

I remembered the way her voice had trembled just slightly. She’d looked me in the eye, but only for a moment. Like she knew exactly what I was—but was too polite to say it.

She hadn’t belonged in our world. Not with the blood-stained suits. Not with the whispers behind closed doors.

She’d belonged somewhere bright. Somewhere soft.

I should’ve let her stay there.

---

A sharp knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and I growled knowing exactly who it was.

“Get lost,” I said.

The door opened anyway.

Of course it did.

Lena stepped inside like she owned the penthouse. Tall, sharp-cheekboned, dressed in sleek black leather and wearing a scowl like war paint.

“The hell is she doing in your bed?” she hissed.

“She’s sleeping.”

“She’s bleeding.” Lena crossed her arms. “And she’s Damien’s wife.”

“Not anymore.”

“She’s a liability, Ronan.”

I stood, slowly. “So was I, once. Didn’t stop me from becoming your boss.”

Lena rolled her eyes. “Don’t do this. This girl doesn't belong here and absolutely not worth the risk you are taking, Ronan.”

“I know.” I turned to look back at Selene. “And yet here she is.”

“You know you will have these bastards on your back for crossing them.”

I let out a laugh, “they have been on my back but too scared to be obvious about it. At least I presented a good opening for them.”

“Ronan…”

“I don't remember owing you an explanation for my actions, Lena.” I snapped and she flinched.

“I'm worried about you. I don't want you to lose everything you've built cos of her.”

“No. She’s going to make me want to build something better.”

Lena stared at me like I’d grown a second head. “You’re serious.”

“I’ve been serious about her for a long time.”

“She doesn’t know who you are.”

“She doesn’t need to. Not yet.”

“Then what’s the plan?”

I turned back to her, voice ice-cold. “The plan is: no one touches her again. And you stay in your place which doesn't involve you questioning me.”

Lena shook her head slowly. “You’re falling for a woman who doesn’t belong in this world.”

I smiled. “Then I’ll burn this world down and build one where she does.”

Lena walked out without another word.

Good.

I turned back to the bed.

Selene let out a soft breath, her face finally calm.

And for the first time in years, the devil in me didn’t want blood.

He just wanted her.