lights flickered against the window. Her heart was still racing, though the danger had pa

e survived

as the engine hummed. The answ

li

was a hybrid, o

ow she'd binge-watched as a teenager. Desperation had lit the fuse that ignited her survival instincts.

n't just believed her but he'd looked at her like s

ore than his claws had

gled red hair. Good news? She was alive. Bad news? She wasn't sure

there again," she mutt

had oth

e tossed her a knowing look. "Might wanna fix your dress before facin

he had to open that shit-hole of a mouth. Her clothes were torn, she was well aware of that. Bruis

ors but before muttering a few profanities. If only Derek wasn't avoidin

idn't knock. She kicked open the door to Bi

p-edged furniture, the whole space sterile with grey, black, and whi

. Big boss never acknowledged her presence, not until it was time to read the target's f

e spok

is tone laced with restrain l

could he smell that from he

a Code Black? Or was it a twisted test? Make me watch him rip an

t she didn't expect was for

when she entered. He gave orders from his throne behind the desk like

. Fear crept in like a thief st

eing rebellious or even worse

n them but she didn't give up and kept taking retr

statue. She realized he was just as tall as the target she couldn't

murmured and her brows knitted. Her brain could

niform near her chest. She covered herself reflexively but his jaw ticked.

she coul

apped, trying to gather

me Cesare's head. That's your answer

linked. "

His nephew is crippled and you'll play house while yo

ut a bitt

" She gritted and

ow the

s. Like I've done for five years after being scooped

r. The kind that came from helplessness. It felt like her hands were tied, sh

ghing down her limbs. "What about the agent? Why se

er step closer. "Cesare's no fool. He knew of your coming and someone had to die. Yo

cting. He was so close. Closer than he should be. She could see the slight stubble on his jaw, the glint in his rimless glasses.

loose shirt that outlined a set of taut muscles, a

ed up to hold his gaze the entire time u

replied through

Valeria could barely breathe in that silence. He leaned in for just a second but

away abruptly a

may l

econd. The door clic

shadow moved. "Come out

lized from the corner,

f Cesare makes a

ive me, I know it's not my place but... I don't think

axwell," Big Boss

again and vanishe

y out of HQ before her

voice drawled

playing poor street rat trying to sleep her wa

idn't bre

ot from a woman who wore her obsession with Big B

r, 'Why send me to a Code Black

ing behind a blazing woman in an air filled with cur

he sky-rise. The elevator dinged her stop and seco

here in all

ainst her doorframe

security?" she

being. Tonight's escape was way worse than the p

ia-" h

dn't let h

ercy. Heat and vengeance overtook the session as he grabbed her waist wantonly. Her h

veal plump red lips and breath hea

ng to pu