- "The D

V:

er from t

fted, eyes unblinking, back straight, like she owns the goddamn room. The light hits her chee

rf

ust perfection

no one else has: get close. Too close. My inner circle is guarded like a fortress. My world i

thers me. She

ething. I can fe

haven't pus

h

her. Just lik

And right now, h

e I sent: Pack a bag. We leave tonight. No questions. Her expression doesn't flinch

And exc

rest

anyone. Good. That means she understands

s until she's gone. I don't move right away. I just stay where

onely. I brought her in because she's a sharp we

en V

e buys silence, fear, and control. The man w

didn't see coming is that I never planned to inherit-I planned

art of t

he's a threa

n my bed, the more I forget th

s dan

dang

the elevators. Our jet leaves in two hours. If

n't? I'll cut h

ways

ours

et, Valen

in black jeans, boots, and a dark coat, her hair

-before the gala gowns and the champ

tter like thi

ng?" she asks as

, ignoring

sn't as

d g

ke a knife. We don't speak for a while, just sit

eat, turning to face me. "You a

nly to people who w

"You think I

ow yo

yes search min

t slightly. "F

nch. "I'm not a

ur. "You're

ow and smooth

e. "I don't

etween us

neck. She wants to ask why I brought

he do

nows

"You said no questions. Fine. But I'm not a

awn," I say. "Y

s lift s

re meant to c

ze. "What exact

time all night. Cold

state - V

uards at every post. It used to be one of

it's

violent. The kind of place where peop

r behind me, her eyes s

c," she

ot a ho

ve fool

Too close. "If it were a honeymoon

tches-but jus

rks. "Promis

is a game. Maybe

ot fo

od, all brutal elegance. There's a fire already burnin

she asks. "W

her. "Becaus

r w

"For you to s

free

me. I drag the coat from her shoulders slowly, watching the way her b

surren

o fast. You knew exactly how to get close.

e is qui

r. "Because y

lowly. "And

k. "Then I'l

se enough that I feel

gether before I rea

kiss-it's

cl

grips my shirt like she wants to shove me, rip

bottom lip, and I drag her to th

econd, we just stare at each other-like two w

in you," sh

ady are,"

rashes back

r the sound she makes when my hand cups her breast-the half-c

ning her wrists above her hea

lf," she breathes. "Y

e fucki

as I sla

words af

Sweat. Moans swallo

storm in a silk dress.

in it. I want

's with her nam

ist

make m

That

g at the ceiling. I can't sleep. I

leep is for the weak. That

he was

face me. "S

ok a

Of the empire. Of m

on I hadn't planned

etting m

bl

efully. Shock. Confu

e asks, vo

mor

row. "You're

ink. "I do

tretches

he final

ide, brushing ha

u," I say softly.