Her disappointment was like a physical blow. I gritted my teeth, reminding myself that this was necessary. She was a means to an end. A key to securing the Crimson Dominion. That was it.
So why did the idea of dragging her back feel like a knife twisting in my chest?
“We both have things to do,” I said, keeping my tone clipped. “I’ve already stayed longer than I should.”
“Of course. You’re the big bad mafia lord. Always busy.”
Her words were light, almost teasing, but the undertone wasn’t lost on me. I wanted to say something sharp to remind her of her place, but instead, I found myself staring at her. I was mesmerized with how the sunlight caught in her hair. The curve of her lips. The soft blush creeping up her neck.
Gods, she was so beautiful. And infuriating.
I shifted again, the growing pressure in my pants becoming unbearable. I needed to get out of there. Now.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” I shoved away from the counter and turned before she could catch a glimpse of the very obvious evidence of my thoughts.
I didn’t look back as I stalked to the bathroom, closing the door behind me with more force than necessary. Gripping the edge of the sink as I leaned over, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The man looking back at me was a fucking mess.
What the fuck is wrong with you?
I turned on the shower, cranking the dial to the coldest setting. Ice water poured over me, shocking my system and forcing me to focus on something other than Vivian.
This was her fault. She’d wormed her way into my mind, into deeper parts of me when she’d shown me that kindness after my father’s attack, and now I couldn’t think straight. But I couldn’t let this continue. I couldn’t let her distract me from what really mattered. My territory. My father.
I pressed my forehead against the shower wall, the water cascading down my back. Last night, I’d almost kissed her. Not to take, like I had before, not to show her who owned her, but because I’d wanted to. I’d felt her leaning in, her lips just a breath away from mine, and I’d wanted her so badly it had taken every ounce of willpower to pull away.
It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. The bond twisted everything, warping my emotions, making me want things I couldn’t have.
I stayed under the freezing spray until the haze of desire faded into a dull ache. By the time I stepped out, I was composed again. Controlled. The man she thought she could manipulate was back, and I wasn’t about to let her get the upper hand.
Not now. Not ever.
When I gotto my office, I was in a foul mood. I didn’t want to be there. I desperately wanted to stay at my apartment, well away from The Below. The events of the last few days—Vivian, my father, Altair’s evasions—had left me with a simmering frustration that refused to dissipate. I had the urge to drown it all out with liquor, and that urge only increased when I saw the men in my space.
Mario, one of my head guardsmen, paced the length of the carpet, his usually stoic face tight with worry. Jareth looked completely at home where he leaned against my desk. His signature smirk was in place, but his sharp, golden-brown eyes flickered with an unusual seriousness.
I didn’t bother to greet them. “I assume you’re not here for a casual chat.”
Mario stopped pacing and rubbed his jaw. “Something happened overnight. It’s... unusual. I think it’s a deliberate attack.”
I narrowed my eyes. “An attack?”
Mario hesitated, glancing at Jareth as though unsure of how to phrase his next words.
Jareth pushed off the desk, and I wanted to punch that smirk right off his face. “Oh, it’s more than an attack, boss. It’s a statement.”
“What kind of statement?” I said through gritted teeth.
Mario sighed. “It’s better if I show you.”
I stared at him, my gut twisting with unease. Mario didn’t get shaken like this. He’d been with me long enough to handle even the grimmest situations without blinking. If he thought this warranted a personal inspection, then it was bad. Very bad.
“Fine,” I said curtly. “Let’s go.”
Jareth fell into step beside me, his casual stride a deliberate contrast to my clipped pace. He didn’t say anything, but I could feel the worry radiating off him. I ignored him, focusing on the possibilities swirling in my head.
Who would be stupid enough to attack my territory?
I’d spent years establishing my reputation in The Below. I was known to be ruthless, untouchable, and a force to be feared. No one with any sense would risk inciting my wrath. My mind churned over the alliances and rival factions, searching for the most likely suspects.
