Chapter 3

The door flew open so hard it slammed against the wall, and Nora's past stormed straight back into her life.

Blake and Drew Kane burst into the lawyer's office like they owned the building. Which they probably did. Shock flashed across their faces first, then raw burning anger.

Blake stopped dead in his tracks. His voice came out low and dangerous. "You are alive."

Drew stared at her like he was seeing a ghost. "Nora. All this time we thought you were dead."

Mr. Harlan jumped up from his desk. "Gentlemen, please. This is a private meeting. You were not scheduled to join yet."

Blake ignored him completely. His eyes never left Nora. "Five years. We searched everywhere. And here you are, standing in our city like nothing happened."

Nora pushed her chair back and stood tall even though her legs felt weak. "I am here for my inheritance. Half of the empire belongs to me according to the will. I want it, then I am leaving."

Drew let out a rough laugh. His gaze moved over her body slowly, full of dark hunger that made her skin heat up. "Leaving? After the way you ran from us? Not a chance."

Blake stepped closer, his broad shoulders tense. "You died in our minds. We buried the idea of you. Now you show up demanding half of everything we built? Think again."

Nora crossed her arms and met his cold stare. "I do not care what you think. The lawyer confirmed it. Donovan put it in writing. Sign the papers and give me what is mine."

Mr. Harlan tried to speak. "Perhaps we can all sit down and discuss this calmly."

Blake shot him a look that made the lawyer sit back down fast. "Stay out of this, Harlan. This is family business."

Drew circled around the side of the desk, his voice smoother but no less threatening. "You feel it, do not you? The bond. The second we walked in, it woke up. I can see it in your eyes."

Nora swallowed hard. She did feel it. A warm pull low in her belly that made her angry with herself. "The only thing I feel is annoyance. Give me my share and I will be gone from your lives."

Blake slammed his hand on the desk. "Your share? We bled for this empire. We made it stronger after Father stepped back. You ran away like a coward and now you want half?"

"I ran because of what you did to me," Nora fired back. "That night at the gala. You forced me into that ritual. I had no choice."

Drew's eyes darkened with heat. "You fought at first. Then you melted between us. Do not pretend you did not feel something real."

"Enough," Nora snapped. "I am not here to relive the past. Mr. Harlan, show them the documents. I want this over with."

The lawyer cleared his throat nervously. "The will is clear. Miss Kane receives fifty percent. However, operational control remains with Mr. Blake and Mr. Drew unless all parties agree otherwise."

Blake's laugh was cold. "Operational control stays with us. Period. You can have money if you want, Nora. But you are not touching the real power."

Drew leaned against the wall, watching her with that intense hunger. "Come home with us instead. We can protect you. The bond is still there. I can smell it on you."

Nora's cheeks burned. "Protect me? You are the ones I need protection from. I am not your toy anymore."

Blake moved closer until he towered over her. "You were never a toy. You are our mate. Running away did not change that. The marks we left on you prove it."

She lifted her chin. "I want the papers signed today. Half the shares. Half the assets. No strings."

Drew stepped in on her other side, trapping her between them. "Strings? Sweetheart, the strings were tied the night we claimed you. You belong to us."

Nora's heart pounded but she refused to back down. "I belong to no one. Especially not the two of you. Sign the damn papers, Blake."

Blake's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Or what? You will take us to court? With what money? We own the judges in this city."

Mr. Harlan wiped sweat from his forehead. "Gentlemen, please. There is no need for threats. We can negotiate."

"Negotiate this," Blake said. "Nora stays under our roof until everything is settled. No discussion."

Nora laughed bitterly. "You must be joking. I am not staying anywhere near you two."

Drew reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. His touch sent unwanted sparks through her. "You say that, but your body remembers. I can see the way you are breathing faster."

"Stop it," Nora said, slapping his hand away. "This is not about the bond or whatever you think exists. This is about money for my future."

Blake narrowed his eyes. "Your future is with us. Running again will not work this time."

Suddenly a red dot appeared on the wall behind Nora. Before she could react, a sharp crack split the air. The window shattered in a spray of glass.

"Down!" Blake shouted.

He grabbed Nora and pulled her to the floor. Drew moved fast, covering her with his body as another shot rang out.

"Stay low," Drew ordered, his voice right next to her ear. "They are shooting from the building across the street."

Nora's breath came in short gasps. "Who is shooting at us?"

Blake crawled toward the door, keeping his head down. "Rivals. They must have heard you were back. They want to weaken us."

Drew kept one arm around Nora. "You see now? Coming back puts a target on your back. You need us."

Nora tried to push him off but he held firm. "I need you like I need a hole in my head. Let me go."

Another gunshot hit the wall above them. Plaster rained down.

Blake reached the door and kicked it open. "Move. Now."

Drew lifted Nora to her feet and shielded her as they ran out into the hallway. Blake took the lead, moving fast.

"Harlan, call security," Blake yelled over his shoulder.

The lawyer's voice came faint from inside the office. "Already doing it."

They rushed down the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Nora's mind spun.

"Why are they after me?" she asked while running.

Drew answered without slowing down. "Because you are the key now. The bond makes you important. They know it."

Blake pushed open a side exit door. "Our car is waiting. Get in."

Nora hesitated at the door. "I am not going anywhere with you."

A bullet hit the wall near her head. She ducked instinctively.

Blake grabbed her arm. "You do not have a choice right now. Move."

Drew pressed close behind her. "Listen to him for once. We will sort the rest later."

They bundled her into a waiting black SUV. The driver took off fast as more shots echoed behind them.

Inside the car Blake turned to her, breathing hard. "This is what returning gets you. Danger at every turn."

Nora glared at both of them. "And being with you is supposed to be safer?"

Drew gave her a heated look. "Yes. Because we would burn the whole city down before we let anyone touch you."

The car sped through the streets while Nora sat trapped between the twins. Her heart raced from the attack and from the way th

eir bodies pressed against hers. The bond hummed stronger than ever, and she knew her troubles had only just begun.