“Everything is so loud all the time,” I whispered, “Carter’s threats. My father’s debt. School, work, trying to keep my scholarship, trying to keep us both alive. It never stops. The noise in my head never fucking stops.”
My hands were fisting in my lap, nails digging into my palms.
“But when I was with you—when you told me what to do, when I didn’t have to think or choose or strategize—it got quiet.” My voice was shaking now. “For just a little while, it got quiet, and I could breathe.”
The confession hung between us, raw and bleeding and far too honest.
I’d given him everything, every weapon he needed to destroy me.
“Look at me, baby girl.”
I shook my head.
“Look. At. Me.”
The command in his voice pulled at something deep in my chest, something that wanted—needed—to obey.
I looked up.
His expression was intense, possessive, dark. “You’re mine, Eva. You were mine the moment you walked into myoffice. You’ve been mine through every betrayal, every lie, and every moment you’ve spent hating me. Fighting it won't change that.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.” He leaned forward, crowding into my space even across the table. “You dressed up for me tonight. You came to me for help. You just told me you need what I give you—the quiet, the peace, and the control.”
“That doesn’t mean?—”
“It means everything.” His voice dropped low. “So no, baby girl. You don’t get to decide whether you want this or not. You’re already mine. The only question is when you’re going to admit it.”
“Fuck you,” I whispered, but there was no heat in it.
“You will,” he promised, his eyes never leaving mine. “We’re going to take down Jed Carter together as partners, equals when it comes to strategy and planning. But make no mistake—” He reached across the table and gripped my chin, forcing me to hold his gaze. “You belong to me. To us. To Cole and Tristan and me. And I’m going to spend every day proving it to you until you stop fucking fighting it.” He released my chin and sat back. “Now, eat your dinner before it gets cold.”
My hand picked up my fork before I could stop it.
“Good girl.”
My frustration must have shown in my expression.
He raised an eyebrow, and to my shock, I took a bite, hating how the simple act of being fed and cared for made the constant anxiety in my chest ease.
“Partners in taking down Carter,” I said finally, my voice steadier than I felt. “Equal say in how we do it. You don’t make decisions for me about that, and I don’t go behind your back.”
Alek’s eyes gleamed. “Agreed. When it comes to Carter, we’re equals.”
“And the rest?”
“The rest isn’t up for negotiation, baby girl. You need what I give you.” His voice was implacable. “I’m going to give that to you whether you think you want it or not.”
“That’s not?—”
Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the large Russian man who’d greeted us at the door, carrying a large box tied up with a thick satin ribbon.
“Delivery for Alek,” he said.
“For her,” he said, nodding at me.
“You can’t buy my forgiveness,” I reminded him.
