Lucien stood by the kitchen counter, absently spooning from a bowl of midnight stew when the soft shuffle of feet made him glance up. Lyra appeared at the doorway, bleary-eyed and wrapped in a thin nightgown. She froze when she saw him.“Running, love?” he asked, voice low and amused.She hesitated, eyes darting between him and the fridge. “I was going to come back... when you... you were done,” she murmured.He arched a brow, setting the spoon down. “I’m not that much of a monster that you can’t get what you want in my presence.”“It’s just water,” she whispered, hesitating reaching for the fridge. “Nothing serious.”His voice turned sharp. “Then get what the fuck you want. Now.”Startled, she rushed forward, fumbling with the fridge door. As she reached inside, Lucien moved behind her, passing close—too close. She dared to test him, pressing her hips back just slightly. Enough.grazing his crotch.Lucien groaned, heat flaring through him. An erection. In one swift move, he ca
The door slammed shut behind them.Castelle barely had time to blink before Kane spun her around, caging her against the door. His eyes burned—dark, furious, controlled only by a thread.“You kicked Lucien in front of everyone,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You undermined me in front of my men.”Castelle’s breath hitched. “I only—”His hand snapped up—not to strike, never to hurt—but to still her. Two fingers pressed against her lips.“No. You don’t speak right now.” His voice was a growl. “You ran into a room full of guards. You disobeyed me. You disrespected me in front of my men.”“I stopped you from killing someone.”“You overstepped,” he snapped, his eyes narrowing. “You are mine, Castelle. You don’t protect me from myself. That’s my job.”Her back pressed against the door as he leaned in, mouth barely an inch from hers. “You think your bravery turns me soft?”He grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand.“You love me,” he murmured, voic
Gastov sat on the edge of the bed, the white sheet pressed against the bullet wound on his shoulder, gritting his teeth while a medic tried to clean the blood.“Fucking bitch,” he growled. “She really shot me—”The medic stopped. Went pale. Stepped back.Gastov looked up.The air turned frigid.Kane stood at the doorway.Still.Silent.Storm in a suit.His eyes—dark and lethal—locked on Gastov like he wasn’t human. Like he was a pest. Something to be Terminated.The medic, sensing a threat far beyond her job description, quietly slipped out the back exit.Kane walked in slowly. Each step deliberate. Calculated. Deadly.“You walked into my room.” His voice was quiet. Dangerously quiet.Gastov straightened, sweat slicking his temples. “Listen—she overreacted—”“You touched her.” Kane’s voice deepened, barely human. “You breathed near her. You thought about her. That’s three crimes.”Gastov tried to stand, swaying slightly. “I didn’t do anything—”Kane grabbed him by t
Castelle stirred with a soft whimper, her body sore in places she didn’t know could ache. Kane, already propped up on one elbow, watched her with a smug curve to his lips.“Good morning, little slut,” he whispered, brushing her hair from her face.She groaned and immediately tried to burrow back under the blanket. “I can’t move… ”Her eyes lingering on his tattoo. No matter how much she's seen it, it comes alive more every damn time.He chuckled low. “That’s cause you were riding me like your life depended on it.”“You said I should make Daddy proud,” she mumbled into the pillow.“And you did. Repeatedly. You deserve a damn medal.”She peeked up at him, eyes hazy with sleep and affection. “I think I deserve breakfast in bed.”Kane leaned down, brushing a kiss over her shoulder. “That, and a hot bath with salts. You will be walking like you wrestled a bull.”“You were the bull.”He laughed, genuine and rich. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Then, a bit softer, he pressed ano
The sun had barely risen when the knock on their door came.Kane stirred first. “Time to get up,” he said into her hairCastelle groaned, curling deeper into the warmth of the blanket. “Five more minutes…”“Nope.” He tapped her bare butt, then smacked it lightly. “Up, baby girl.”Grumbling, she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Kane helped her into a sports bra and fitted cargo pants, then laced her boots for her as she leaned against his shoulder.“You’re not going easy on me, are you?” she asked, watching him tuck in her knife holster.Kane smirked. “Of course not. You want to stand beside me in this world? You’re going to earn it.”She was led down into a massive underground chamber—an elite training facility beneath the Salvatore mansion. The ceiling arched like a cathedral. Echoes of grunts, clangs, and gunshots filled the space.Matteo, Lucien, and a few other top men stood on one side of the room. All eyes turned when Castelle stepped in with Kane.Lucien gave a lazy smirk.
The late afternoon sun spilled gold across the marble floors of the estate’s main lounge. Lyra sat cross-legged on the plush couch, flipping a half-read book, while Mason paced slowly, chewing on the edge of his thumbA guard stood nearby, posture straight but relaxed, eyes on them in silence.“We need to talk to her,” Mason whispered to Lyra, unsure.Lyra nodded. “Yeah. It has been long we talked, I miss her.” "We only ever get to see her at dinner."They both turned toward the guard.“Excuse me,” Lyra said politely, standing.The guard blinked once, then turned his head slightly. “Wait here.He stepped aside to speak quietly into his earpiece, then after a short exchange, nodded.“Matteo’s on his way,” he informed them.Moments later, Matteo emerged down the hallway, sharp as ever in a black shirt tucked neatly into matching slacks, the outline of his sidearm just visible under his jacket. He approached with calm authority.“You want to see Castelle?” he asked, voice low