Bianca thinks she's won. Thinks she's maneuvered me into position.
She has no idea I'm playing my own game.
"Forty-eight hours," I say. "I'll handle it."
"See that you do." Bianca returns to her desk, already dismissing me. "And Adrian? Next time you want to kill someone, at least make sure it's not someone important."
I leave without responding.
Outside, the sun is setting. Manhattan glows gold and red, beautiful and merciless.
I pull out my phone and text Leo.
Me: Is she awake?
Leo: Not yet. Should be soon.
Me: I'm on my way back. Don't let her leave.
Leo: Understood.
I slide into the car, the folder heavy on the passenger seat.
Forty-eight hours to make Seraphina Romano agree to marry me.
Forty-eight hours to turn obsession into ownership.
Forty-eight hours to trap us both.
The only question is whether Sera is a victim or a player. Whether her brother sold her out or if she walked into my bed knowing exactly what she was doing.
Either way, she's about to become my wife.
And once she is, I'll make sure no one—not Alexei, not Bianca, not even Gabe—can ever use her against me again.
I should feel guilty. Should feel something other than this dark satisfaction.
But I don't.
She tried to run. Tried to disappear. Tried to take my child and vanish like none of it mattered.
Now she's going to learn what it means to belong to a Nero.
She's going to learn there's no escaping me.
Ever.
I start the car and drive back to Dr. Reeves' office.
Back to Sera.
Back to my future wife.
Whether she knows it yet or not.
CHAPTER 9
Sera
