He groans softly, like that somehow isn’t enough, but he takes it anyway, kissing me again while the room continues to lose its collective mind behind us.
An hour later, the party settles into something looser. Louder in bursts. Quieter in between.
We drift apart occasionally—him getting dragged into conversations, me pulled into others—but somehow, we keep finding our way back. Like it’s instinct. Like it’s inevitable.
And then—
The alert goes off. Sharp and jarring. Everything stills for half a second. The new security system at the front gate.
Theo is at my side in seconds. Ryder’s already moving before anyone else reacts, pulling out his phone, eyes scanning the camera feed. He sighs and rolls his eyes.
“Is it—?” Theo mutters.
Ryder just shakes his head, muttering something under his breath as he pockets his phone.
A few minutes later, the clubhouse door swings open. And for a second, déjà vu hits me so hard it’s almost disorienting. Because walking in again, like he owns the place—is Mihai. Tudor at his side. A few more men trailing behind them. “I couldn’t miss a party, now, could I?” Mihai says brightly, like this is a social call.
Theo doesn’t move. “What do you need, Mihai?” he asks flatly, his arm tightening around me.
Behind him, I catch the tension shift.
Tudor’s staring. Not at Theo.
At Spike.
And Spike? Doesn’t even glance his way. He’s cold. Unbothered. Like Tudor doesn’t exist.
“What?” Mihai places a hand over his chest, feigning offense. “Can’t we come over and enjoy the party?”
Theo’s gaze hardens further. “What is it that you want, Mihai?” he snaps. “Get to your point.”
Mihai sighs, like we’re inconveniencing him.
“Fine,” he says lightly. “Have you thought about my proposal? It’s been three weeks,prietene.”
My stomach clenches when Theo’s entire body goes rigid beside me. Ryder steps forward slightly, his expression just as dark.
“It’s not happening, Mr. Rosca.”
Mihai’s head tilts, almost curious. “Why?” he asks, voice deceptively mild. “It’s a good proposition. Strengthens our relationship.”
Theo’s grip on me tightens. “We’re not giving you a club princess,” he hisses.
My breath catches.What?
Mihai’s expression doesn’t change. But something colder slips into his voice. “You know we can take away your protection,” he says quietly. “Do you not?”
Theo stiffens. I tighten my hold on his arm instinctively.
“Hell’s Army isn’t gone, Ruin,” Mihai continues, his tone almost conversational now. “They still have rogue forces. Ones we’ve been keeping in check this entire time.”
A pause. A deliberate one.
“Do you really want us to stop?”
The room goes still. Because beneath the calm delivery, the threat is unmistakable.
Mihai’s gaze drifts past me. And lands exactly where Lana and Stephanie are standing—and something in his expression shifts. His lips twitch, amused. “I see you’ve found more princesses,” he says lightly.
