Chapter 10
DAMIEN
Idon’t want to move.
Lyra is curled into me, her breath slow and even against my chest, our legs tangled beneath the sheets. The room is still warm with her body heat, and every inch of my skin feels branded by what just happened.
For the first time in a long time, I let myself enjoy the quiet.
But of course, it doesn’t last. My phone buzzes, and I run a hand over my face. It’s late, so whatever this is won’t be good news.
My phone is facedown on the nightstand, but it doesn’t matter. I know who it is before I even look. I reach for it, careful not to wake her. The screen glows in the dim light.
Alek.
Of course.
I ease out of bed, careful not to disturb her, and step into the hall. I close the door behind me and answer.
“What?”
“There’s a problem,” Alek says without hesitation.
I rub a hand over my jaw.
“Where?” I ask, already annoyed.
“West 49th. The Vasilievs hit the loan office. They took half the street earnings from the last two weeks.”
I rein in my anger as I answer him. “Who was on the ground?”
“Petrov and Manny. Petrov’s fine. Manny caught one in the leg but managed to get out. They left two of theirs behind. We caught them trying to torch the place.”
My jaw tightens. “And what did you do with them?”
“They’re in the warehouse. I’ve got them tied up and quiet for now. I figured you’d want to handle these two on your own.”
I sigh and consider it. I do want to handle it myself, but I don’t want to leave Lyra after the incredible night we just shared. It makes it all feel rushed and cheap. That’s not what I want to do to her after her first time, but it seems I don’t have much of a choice.
“I’m on my way,” I tell him. “I’ll meet you at the site in thirty.”
I hang up.
I walk back into the bedroom and find her sitting up, the sheet pulled over her chest. Her hair’s a mess, her cheeks still flushed.
There’s nothing I would love more than to slide back under the covers with her and keep discovering her body.
I wonder how much she can take, how fast she can take it.
I wonder what her lips would look like wrapped around my cock.
But that’s not the world I live in. There isn’t time for that kind of intimacy.
Her eyes search mine immediately.
“Is everything okay?”
I sit on the edge of the bed and run a hand down her back.
“Something came up at work. I need to go handle it.”
She nods, but I can see the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. She hides it well.
“You don’t have to explain,” she says as she gathers her underwear and pulls it on.
“I know,” I say. “But I want you to know that this isn’t some bullshit M.O. of mine. If I hadn’t gotten that call, I’d already be inside of you again.”
I press a kiss to her shoulder. She leans into it, warm and soft and everything I don’t deserve.
“I have a car waiting outside,” I tell her. “It’ll take you home.”
She studies me for a moment.
“Will I see you again?”
I don’t hesitate. “Of course you will.”
“I don’t mean at the office,” she says carefully.
I know what I should say. I know I should tell her about my rule, especially after she’s been so honest with me. But I can’t bring myself to say the words when she’s standing in front of me in nothing but her underwear, looking so fucking stunning.
“You will, I tell her.
She nods, and I stand.
By the time I’ve dressed and walked her to the private elevator, she’s put herself back together. I watch her step into the elevator and don’t take my eyes from hers until the doors close.
The warehouse isn’t far. Alek’s already inside by the time I arrive. The place is industrial and quiet, the lights low, the air thick with the smell of oil and dirt. One of the side rooms has been converted to a holding space, makeshift and efficient.
Two men kneel in the center of the room, wrists zip-tied behind them, hoods still on. One is bleeding from his head or face, a slow trickle staining the collar of his shirt. The other’s leg is bent at a bad angle, but he’s still conscious and alert.
Alek stands just behind them, arms crossed, boots planted wide.
“They’ve said nothing useful so far,” he says as I step inside.
“That’s okay,” I say with a widening grin. “I’ve been itching to let out some frustration.”
I circle the first man, unhurried. I pull off the hood and crouch in front of him.
He squints against the light. When his eyes adjust, recognition hits his face.
He knows who I am.
Good.
“You were told not to touch my business,” I say, calm and even. “You ignored that.”
He doesn’t speak.
I tilt my head. “That makes this simple.”
He opens his mouth, but I don’t give him the chance. My fist connects with his jaw in one clean punch. His head snaps to the side, and he drops to the ground like dead weight. He’s not unconscious, but he doesn’t fight back. He probably doesn’t have the energy.
I move to the second man. He flinches before I even reach him. I kneel, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at me.
“You tell Rurik this,” I say. “If he sends anyone else into my city, touches one more dollar of mine, I will burn everything he has to the ground. He thinks I’m tied to my suits and skyscrapers. He thinks I’ve gone soft.”
I lean in closer.
“He’s wrong.”
I let go and stand.
Alek steps forward. “What do you want done with them?”
“Leave one in the alley. Make sure he’s found. The other…”
I look down at the first one, who’s still groaning softly, blood trailing from his nose.
“Send him back. He has a message to deliver.”
He doesn’t need further instructions.
I walk out without looking back. Some lessons have to be repeated. Loudly. Visibly.
I’m still outside the warehouse when I hear the shot.
My gun’s in my hand before the sound finishes echoing. Alek reacts just as fast, moving with me toward the eastern loading dock. Radimir was posted there with two men, watching the perimeter while I dealt with the problem inside. We don’t have confirmation yet, but I know what I heard.
Another shot. Louder this time. Closer.
We round the corner just as chaos breaks open.
One of the Vasiliev men is lying on the concrete, blood already spreading across his chest. One of mine, Gregor, returns fire from behind the rusted-out frame of a box truck, ducked low and swearing under his breath.
Radimir’s the only one exposed.
He’s crouched behind a steel barrel, breathing hard, his jacket sleeve soaked in red.
“Give me a status,” I bark, moving to cover.
“There are two shooters on the rooftop, west side,” Gregor yells. “Radimir’s hit.”
“I’m fine,” Radimir growls. “It’s just a graze.”
I trust him to know the difference.
Alek signals to two of our men flanking the outer lot. One peels left, the other slips along the side of the building, silent and fast. I move out from behind the truck and spot one of the shooters on the roof just as he leans out to line up another shot.
I fire once. The sound cracks like thunder. The man goes limp, his rifle clattering off the ledge before his body follows. One down.
The second shooter moves quickly, too fast for me to aim, but not fast enough to cover himself completely. Alek takes him out with two quick rounds to the torso.
Silence returns almost instantly. Just the low hiss of adrenaline and the faint echo of boots over gravel.
“Clear,” Alek calls.
“Clear,” I confirm.
Radimir exhales roughly. His jaw is tight, but he hasn’t dropped his weapon.
I kneel beside him. “Let me see.”
“It’s nothing,” he mutters, but I pull back the jacket anyway.
It’s just a graze, as he said although deep enough to bleed like hell, but not enough to slow him down. Still, I don’t take chances with my men.
“You’re going to see Viktor,” I say.
He doesn’t argue with me. I keep Viktor on the payroll just for moments like this.
Ten minutes later, we’re in the car. Radimir leans back, pressing a cloth against his arm, while Alek rides up front with me.
I don’t say much. I’m still replaying the events of tonight. The Vasilievs are getting bolder and sloppier by the day. This was messy and loud, a direct hit. A trap. Either they know exactly what they’re doing or they’re desperate to catch me off guard.
Neither option sits well with me.
We pull up to the private clinic through the rear alley. Viktor meets us at the door, already gloved. He says nothing as he takes Radimir inside. I stay in the hallway. Alek lights a cigarette next to the rear door and leans against the brick.
He waits until the door closes behind them before speaking.
“So. How were your ‘plans’ tonight?”
I glance at him. “And you’re tracking my movements now?”
He shrugs. “I put two and two together.”
I don’t answer right away. I just watch the trail of smoke curling up from his hand.
“It was a nice night,” I finally say, keeping it vague.
Alek raises an eyebrow. “Is she worth the effort?”
This catches me even more off guard. Am I that transparent?
“Yes,” I say.
He watches me for a beat, then grins. “Are you gonna break your one-night rule for her?”
I consider it for a moment then nod.
Alek exhales smoke and shakes his head. “Well, fuck.”