Chapter 16
CEZAR
Watching Lina had become a habit. Her schedule was unpredictable, but I’d learned enough to track her movements. She hated certain parts of this world—anything to do with child trafficking sent her into a cold, focused rage.
Most missions were for chaos, vengeance, and power… I think. But that… that was the one thing she fought for with something almost holy. She tore those rings apart one by one. An unstoppable force, hasty enough to burn the whole world if it meant saving a single kid.
Hidden in the shadows, I watched her move like she was made for this, watched the way her clan ran with precision. Brains and beauty—lethal together. Still, her need to save every child made her reckless as hell, ignoring consequences, ignoring backup. I admired it. It also drove me fucking insane.
Tonight, she cut down an alley that led deep into a sprawling compound with too many buildings and blind spots. I knew she’d called for reinforcements, but she didn’t wait. Typical. I followed, knowing the layout by memory. I wasn’t letting her get taken. I’d blow my cover before I let that happen.
As she navigated between buildings, I maintained my stealth, catching the occasional trace of her scent.
It wasn’t the time for distractions, but she had a way of getting under my skin.
Luckily, no children were in sight, but we both heard distant sounds.
Too many enemies for her to face alone, and I couldn’t defend her while dealing with a horde.
Before she got herself killed, I grabbed her and ran, hauling her through the nearest building to get out of sight.
I threw open a door and pulled her in with me.
Yeah. Not an exit. A utility closet.
Fuck.
“What the fuck—Cezar?”
Her shocked protests were stifled as I covered her mouth. She was going to have to get over it in silence. We listened, bodies pressed tight, as the men swept the room beside us. Step by step, they moved farther away.
My hand dropped to my side when the danger passed. Her face was inches from me, breath warm, her glare burning holes through me. It was the smallest utility room I’d ever been in, which meant her body was plastered up against mine.
Nowhere to run.
I lowered my head, inhaling her just because I could. She jerked, trying to get away, and I smirked, knowing exactly how much she hated loving it.
“You almost hit my face with your head,” I teased, because I knew it would piss her off.
“If you weren’t so tall, I would have.”
“If you weren’t so short, you could have.”
The tension between us thickened instantly, the tiny space magnifying every shift of her body. Desire hit me hard. It was impossible to hide.
She rested her head against my chest, closer than she needed to be. My stance stiffened on instinct. What the hell was she thinking?
Lina exhaled. “Really? Is there ever a moment when you are not hard?”
“Yeah, sure. When you’re not around and when I am not thinking of you.
” I chuckled, fully aware I was risking my life.
She probably wasn’t going to stab me. Probably.
And even if she did… honestly, it might be worth it.
Wrapping my arms around her, I lifted her a little and buried my nose into the warm crease of her neck.
Her fucking scent was going to ruin me.
She tensed like she was about to shove me off, but the footsteps outside kept her still.
When I set her down, I didn’t let go. Instead, I moved her with me, backing her into the wall—only a couple of inches of air remained between us.
No escape. Not from me. Her body eased, the tension slipping out of her.
“You know, Petal… I didn’t take you for a cuddler,” I muttered, savoring the way she couldn’t do anything about this moment.
“Goddammit, Cezar. I swear you’re everywhere. I’m convinced you’re following my every move, and then you just—what? Wait and watch? Creepy pervert.” She leaned her head back, her green eyes piercing my fucking soul.
“I am following you,” I purred. “Waiting. Watching. Lurking everywhere. Let’s call it curiosity—this want, this need to be around you—why... is that creepy? I am a pervert, though.” A grin tugged at my mouth.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure how those men hadn’t found us yet.
The door was barely a door. Yet with the way the dim light touched her skin and caught in her hair, with her eyes fixed on mine, I didn’t give a damn.
I tried to take in every detail, storing it away in the place where I kept all my obsessions.
“Why? Why do you call me Petal? Do I look like some fragile, broken thing that needs protection?”
“Lina… why would I ever think that? You want to know why I call you Petal?” I released my hold just enough to tilt her chin further.
“I chose it because it fit. The way you leave subtle signs of respect for the dead. And yes, there’s a kind beauty to you.
Not fragile. Not breakable. Just delicate in a way that is complicated and impossible to replicate.
You care about people you don’t even know.
I admire that. I admire you. You inspire me, Petal.
To do better. To be better. You stole whatever was left of my soul. You’re good for me.”
I wasn’t good for her. But I was greedy.
She didn’t look away. She didn’t flinch. What was she thinking? Was I pushing too far? Did I fuck it all up? Too late to take it back. Too late to stop thinking about kissing her.
Don’t, don’t, don’t.
It took everything in me to step back, letting go of her face as my eyes dropped to the floor. My body fought me every inch of the way.
“You are an interesting person, Cezar,” she murmured, a shyness surfacing that she clearly hated showing. I couldn’t see it well in the dark, but I knew she was blushing. She didn’t hate what I said. And now that she understood why I called her Petal, maybe she’d let me keep doing it.
“At least I’m not boring. So, what do you say, Petal?” I lifted my hands again, almost touching her face, before I stopped myself.
“Fine. Whatever. Just don’t call me that in front of my men.” She rolled her eyes, but her voice didn’t have any bite.
Footsteps echoed down the hall again.
Her expression told me everything. She was telling me she’d see me again. Whatever happened the other night wasn’t the end. This wasn’t all we were going to be.
Fuck it. We’re all going to die anyway. Might as well make it worth something.