Romano

Kiann's POV

Something ignited me the moment I saw how she stood her ground—something I'd never felt toward any woman before.

If it were any other girl, I knew exactly what I'd get—hungry eyes, flirtatious smiles, and the subtle invitation to drag them into my bed.

But not her.

Her face defied everything about me. Disgust.

Annoyance. Hatred.

I scanned her. Every instinct screamed to walk away.

But there was something about her that kept me still.

Something I wanted to understand.

I was intrigued—and that curiosity was dangerous.

I left her in Antonio's care as I stepped outside with Alexander.

"Lock her in one of my private estates," I ordered coldly.

Alexander looked stunned. "You're keeping the witness?" he asked, his tone amused—but underneath, I could hear the protest.

I didn't answer.

"You know what'll happen if you go through with this." There was warning in his voice, but I simply lit a cigarette and placed it between my lips.

"I know exactly what I'm doing," I said. "And...investigate I about her." Then walked off, leaving them behind.

They only needed to guard the girl. I'd deal with her... once I was done with today's business.

The black Raptor I had requested earlier arrived. I climbed in, started the engine, and gripped the wheel.

Dawn was breaking.

I couldn't keep Mr. Ivanov waiting—he hated delays, and I couldn't afford to lose another deal.

"Hello, amigo," he greeted, extending a hand. I took it, and we sat in his villa.

"How's my gold?" he asked, pertaining to the gold. I didn't replied, he took a sip of his coffee. "I heard one of your men—"

"I came for our transaction, Ivanov," I replied impatiently.

Strangely, I couldn't shake the urge to get back.

It felt like someone—or something—was waiting for me.

"Relax," he said with a flash of his gold teeth and called for a servant. "Coffee?"

"I'm not in the mood today."

Ivanov's smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"How much is it?"

"One billion dollars."

He nodded, but I caught something sharp in the way he looked at me. For a split of second, it looked like...pity? Or guilt?

We exchanged briefcases as always, then I excused myself but before I could.

"You should really be more careful, amigo," he said, almost too casually. "Danger is always nearby. Sometimes closer than you think."

I didn't mind it, before I could start the car—

Gunfire erupted.

"Shit!"

Bullets tore through the vehicle. Glass shattered, cutting into my skin.

A sharp sting tore through my right shoulder—I'd been grazed.

I ducked, grabbing the gun hidden in my boot.

They kept firing.

Only when their boss ordered them to stop—thinking I was already dead—did I strike back.

One by one, I pulled the trigger. Each shot landed.

With one hand shooting and the other on the wheel, I floored the gas and tore out of there.

They'd pay for what they'd done.

⸻

I didn't even know how I made it back to the penthouse.

The servants gasped when they saw me—bloodied, bullet wounds across my body.

"Call Dr. Suarez!" the butler shouted.

My vision blurred. The last thing I felt was the softness of the mattress beneath me before everything went black.

I shouldn't be this weak.

⸻

When I opened my eyes again, Alexander was at my bedside.

Dark circles under his eyes. Messy hair. Face twisted in worry.

When I tried to move, the wound throbbed in sync with my heartbeat.

Shit!

Ivanov, you were wrong to keep me alive.

My fists formed into a ball beneath the blanket.

No one messed with me.

"I told you to never go without guards," he snapped.

I said nothing.

Alexander had always been like a brother to me. Since we were kids, we'd grown up knowing who we were... and what was expected of us.

"That was just an accident."

"And you still think that after all their failed attempts to kill you?"

"And yet—I'm still alive," I said dryly.

"Kiann..." He rubbed his temples.

"Enough."

"Where's the girl?" I asked suddenly.

He narrowed his eyes at me.

I shrugged.

He exhaled sharply. "Antonio's taking care of her."

My jaw tensed.

I didn't like the sound of that.

I forced myself to sit up. Alexander panicked, trying to stop me, but I stood anyway.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to see her."

"Kiann!"

"Alexander, she's our captive!"

"But it doesn't look like she's a captive to you." That shot caught me off guard.

I walked even if my body's weak.

"You're so damn stubborn!" he hissed, but followed me anyway.

We stopped at the room next to mine.

"She's here?" He nodded curtly.

Antonio wasn't outside. My brows furrowed.

Something felt off.

"Is he inside?" I asked.

Alexander looked away. My jaw clenched.

I stormed in, forgetting the pain in my body—

And froze.

The woman was asleep on the bed, handcuffed—To Antonio.

He was slumped over the mattress, asleep—far enough that it was clear nothing had happened.

"Antonio!" I growled, my voice low and sharp.

Alexander chuckled behind me but helped me walk to him anyway.

The girl stirred but didn't wake.

"What the hell is this?" I snapped, staring at the handcuffs.

Antonio scratched the back of his neck, glaring at Alexander.

I turned to my consigliere. "Remove that thing, or I'll throw both of you out."

Alexander didn't move. "You're acting... different, Kiann," he said, meeting my deadly stare.

"Do you like Crystal?"

Her name slipped from my lips before I could stop it. "Crystal..."

It sounded fragile. Like glass.

I turned to her again, still sleeping. Even in sleep, she looked defiant. The frown on her brows hadn't eased—like even her dreams resisted me.

For a moment, I forgot what I was supposed to do.

She pulled me in—hypnotizing me without even trying.

"Do you think I'd fall for a girl in chains?" I asked without looking away from the woman in bed.

Then. I sat on the edge of the bed next to Antonio. My jaw clenched. Looking at her made me want to touch Crystal.

"As you should, because she is Crystal Clair Romano."

My ears rang.My hands froze mid-reach.

Romano.

That name rewrote everything.

Plans, purpose, power—it all came back into focus.