Brrap. Brrap. Brrap.
“You messed with thewrong fucking bitch!”
Brrap. Brrap. Brrap.
“Don’t fuck with House Glovefox!”
Brrap. Brrap. Brrap.
“Don’t fuck with theSyndicate!”
Brrap. Brrap. Brrap.
Chests ruptured midair, ribs splintering into shrapnel as heart-seeking rounds tore through flesh and bone with cruel efficiency. Blood sprayed in arcs, thick and glistening, painting the air in ruby rain. The droplets fell as both an omen and an offering, warm, wet proof that the Syndicate reigned supreme. Every soul in the room was taught what it meant to go against me, against the Syndicate. They were baptized in blood and fear.
When all that was left were limp bodies hanging in midair like grotesque marionettes, I called out, “Drop them, Ras!”
The rune magic hummed, then fizzled through the air like static breaking. Bodies crashed down around me in sickening thuds, some bones snapping, some heads rolling, all of it a testament to the Syndicate's wrath. Members were still huddled beneath tables and pressed into corners, bloodied but breathing. I could feel the shift in the room’s energy as their fear thinned out, relief just beginning to seep in.
I straightened, rolled my shoulders, and switched back into host mode. My smile stretched wide across my face as I threw open my arms.
“Come out! My men handled everything. You're safe now, and we are calling it a night. Please move to the locker room to retrieve your things.”
People slowly emerged from their hiding spots, clinging to one another. Some had blood on their clothes, none of it theirs. A few had that hollow look of near-death survivors, but as they passed, they bowed their heads to me.
And just like that, I feltseen.Respected. Worshipped.
Honestly? I might've accidentally played matchmaker tonight. All that adrenaline and trauma? Idefinitelysparked a few trauma bonds. See? Not all bad.
Lucus appeared at my side with the stealth of a shadow, scanning the scene with a low whistle.
“Well, darling,” he muttered, eyeing the carnage. “I don’t know how Alic got out of your wrath with just a kicked dick.”
I grinned up at him, chest still heaving, and nodded.I must really like that damn troll.
Ras came sprinting toward me, flushed, eyes locked on mine like I was the only thing anchoring him to this world. As soon as he reached me, his arms crushed around my body, holding me tight.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered, the words tumbling out. “I mean, I knew you would be, but younever reallyknow and?—”
I cupped his cheek and kissed him. Just a soft, grateful thing.
Or so I thought.
His hands slid into my hair, deepening the kiss into something molten. His mouth devoured mine, soft lips parting, claiming.His body pressed flush against me, and I felt him,allof him. My back lit up with heat, but it wasn’t painful this time. It was pleasure, undeniable, dizzying pleasure. A moan escaped my lips before I could bite it down.
He gripped my ass, grinding against me, and suddenly, I wasn’t thinking anymore. I was justfeeling.I clawed at his back and yanked him closer like I could fuse us together. I barelyknewhim, yet I wanted him more than my next breath.
The elevator dinged, and Alic’s voice carried over to us, loud enough that it could be heard a mile away.
“Aniyah! Where are you? Are you okay?”
Hearing him snapped me back to reality with the efficiency of a bucket of ice water. I jerked back, breathless, lips tingling. Ras leaned forward, chasing the kiss I’d stolen away.
“I’m fine! Toward the front,” I called out, taking several unsteady steps back.
Ras looked gutted, as though I’d ripped his heart out and stomped on it, and maybe I had. My brain was spinning—he’s my IT guy—and I’d just had a full make-out session with him like he was the love of my damn life.
Lucus sidled up behind me, one arm snaking around my waist, lips brushing just beneath my ear. The spot melted under his kiss, and my knees nearly gave out again.
