PROLOGUE

“Find her!” a gruff voice yelled, voice echoing in the empty alley as Elara Beckett ran as fast as she could.

  She didn't dare look back, she couldn't, as terror shot down her spine. Her heels clattered against the pavement as she sprinted in and out of alleyways.

  She cursed her choice of shoes but she didn't have time to stop and take them off. Her c'est burned as she took ragged breaths.

  She clutched the envelope tighter in her trembling hands, it was her lifeline— the key to everything. All of Ivy and Aiden’s crimes, their lies, financial records, email, everything was in it. She thought she had been sneaky but somehow they found out and they were now coming after her.

  “Don't let her get away!" another voice roared, closer this time.

  She let out a squeak as she willed her legs to go faster, her heart pounding and threatening to burst out of her chest. The dark walls around her seemed to be closing in as the footsteps behind her drew nearer.

  A sharp turn at the next corner brought her face to face with a chain link fence blocking her path. She skidded to a halt as her stomach sank, the fence was very high so she couldn’t even try climbing.

  She was trapped.

  "Elara!"

  A voice yelled sending a shiver down her spine, it was one of Ivy's men. She froze in her spot not sure what to do next. Slowly, she turned to face the voice willing herself not to tremble.

  She took a step back and pressed her back against the cool metal of the fence to put some distance between them as three men emerged from the shadows, their faces hidden beneath black masks.

  They stalked towards her, intentions clear. She wasn't making it out of this.

  "You should've just stayed in your lane, little girl.” one of them spat, his voice low and taunting as he continued to walk towards her.

  Her pulse quickened and her eyes darted around the alley frantically looking for an escape. She saw none and tightened her grip on the envelope, strengthening her resolve.

  “You won't get away with this.” She spat. “I have everything I need to destroy you. All of you.”

  One of them chuckled darkly. “Too bad you won't live to do that.”

  Suddenly, he lunged at her. She ducked, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she sprinted past him but she didn't make it far before a hand climbed down in her arm and yanked bee back with brutal force.

  She let out a little scream in pain as the envelope fell out of her hand, its contents spilling out and scattering on the floor.

  "Let me go!" she screamed, thrashing against his hold but he was too strong.

  She hadn't come this far just to give up so she kept trying to escape.

  The screeching sound of tires suddenly filled the air followed by the slamming of a cat door, making everyone freeze as their heads snapped in the direction of the sound.

  The men exchanged wary glances as the sound of slow, precise footsteps drew nearer.

  "Let her go.”

  A voice— cold, clam and commanding but through the silence. Elara's breath hitched as Killian Hayes stepped out of the shadows in his usual perfectly tailored suit. He looked calm but his eyes burned with fury holding a deadly promise as he approached, presence commanding.

  “Leave, this has nothing to do with you.” One of the men— the one who had lunged at her, growled, taking a step forward. Although his voice didn't hold the same confidence like earlier.

  A dangerous smirk slowly spread across Killian's face. “Trust me, it has everything to do with me.”

  In the blink of an eye Killian delivered a swift, force packed punch to the man's jaw then gave the second a kick to the side of his head.

  Elara blinked, stunned. She watched as Killian effortlessly took down the men with precise hits. The third man holding her, let her go to attack Killian but in a swift second he joined his comrades groaning on the floor.

  Killian stood over the last man. “Tell Ivy she's next.” He said in a low, menacing voice.

  The man scrambled to his feet and ran away, leaving his comrades on the floor.

  Killian turned to Elara, his gaze softening as he approached her. He extended a hand and helped her stand up from the spot she had been pushed to. “Are you alright?”

  “I'm fine.” she whispered as she took his hand and stood on her shaky legs.

  His eyes darkened as he took in her shaky form. He lifted his other hand and brushed a stray piece of her hair away from her face.

  “You're not fine.” He said in a soft voice. “But you will be.”

  Her breath caught in her throat as he closed the distance between them. The chaos of the night faded to a distant memory as the air around them crackled with tension— an undeniable attraction. Suddenly, his lips were on hers, firm, soft and demanding. She let out a sigh as she melted into him, relief and passion coursing through her veins.

  The kiss ignited a burn for more within her.

  Finally, they pulled apart and this time her heart was racing for a different reason.

  She felt heat rise to her cheeks and was thankful for the cover of the darkness. “You didn't have to do that, I had it under control.” she muttered.

  He chuckled as his smirk returned and his eyes lit up with excitement. “I told you Elara, I don't like losing. Certainly not to the likes of Ivy and Aiden.”

  He bent down and began picking up the scattered papers, and she joined him. 

  “Come on, let's go.” He said once they were done, lacing his fingers through hers.

  As he led her out of the alley, one thing became clear: Ivy and Aiden had started a war and Elara vowed to finish it.

  They got to his sleek black car and Elara sparred one last glance at the alley, today had been a close call. She needed to be more careful.

  Killian opened the car door for her and she slid in, he rounded the car and got into the driver's seat then started the ignition.

  "They'll come for me again," she murmured, more to herself than to Killian.

  He turned to look at her, gaze hard and determined. "Let them try."

  He began to pull out of where he had parked and she opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by the sound of a gunshot.

  The bullet hit where the car had been seconds ago. On her side of the car.

  Blood drained from her face.

  “Stay down!” Killian yelled as the tires screeched and he sped away.

  Her heart pounded as she looked back then at Killian whose jaw was set and grip so tight on the steering wheel that his knuckles turned white.

  She had thought the worst was over but now she realized it was only the beginning and she wasn't sure she would make it out alive.