“That was your first kiss, Aurelia.” He lets out a quiet chuckle. “But I can’t exactly keep going without needing to fuck you too.”
A smile consumes my face, and heat rises to my cheeks. “Oh, I see. Well, maybe we could do that too.”
“Consider this your warm-up. We will get to that, princess.”
My smile drops immediately.
Why would he call me princess?
Chapter 27
Elijah
Present
Ican’t believe this girl.
Twenty-eight hours. That’s how long it’s been since Ace decided to sneak out and go for a walk on her own. Twenty-eight hours of watching the same grainy footage over and over—her slipping through the balcony, meeting Hank and taking him to the back gate, jogging off as if she didn’t have an army of enemies waiting for her.
I’ve trained with her for years.Years. I’ve never met anyone stronger—not just physically, but mentally. She’s fire. She’s stubborn. She’s smarter than half the men in this house put together. And yet… she pulls shit like this.
Like she’s sixteen again. Like she still believes she’s untouchable and no one could hurt her.
And yeah, maybe it’s not all her fault. That’s the part that cuts deepest. Because somehow, every time I fuck up, she pays for it. My mistakes make her reckless. My bullshit makes her think she has to prove something.
My head wasn’t where it should’ve been. I was too wrapped up in my own shit, and now she’s the one paying for it.
My one purpose is her. Protect her. Watch over her. Keep her safe. That’s it. That’s the job. That’s my fucking life. And I failed.
If she dies—
No.
If she dies, there’s no forgiveness. Not from Enzo. Not from myself. Not from anyone.
And I’ll make sure every man who touches her feels it a thousand times worse.
* * *
The office feels like a tomb. Heavy curtains drawn, cigars burning, maps and photos scattered across the desk. Every second of silence is another second she’s out there.
Enzo leans over the table, jaw tight, eyes scanning the footage again on loop. “They knew her routine. They knew where the cameras cut out. This wasn’t random.”
“No shit it wasn’t random,” I spit, pacing behind him. “It was Orlov. He’s been circling for years. You think anyone else would have the balls?”
Enzo lifts his head slowly, calm in a way that pisses me off even more. “Yelling doesn’t bring her back, Elijah.”
“I’m not yelling. I’m telling you we need to move now.”
A new voice cuts through the tension. “Elijah, if my daughter dies under someone else’s command, I will skin you alive and feed you to the dogs.”
I pause, then look up to see Dante De Luca standing in the doorway. My best friend’s father.Her father.His presence alone makes the air feel heavier.
“Yes, sir,” I answer, forcing the words out through clenched teeth.
“You and Enzo will meet with the Orlov son.”
Enzo and I snap our eyes toward him, disbelief written all over our faces. There’s no way. No way in hell that family gives her back in some neat little exchange.
