wering skyline, Isolde found herself in a car with tinted windows, weari

estate. The man was a shadow with a pulse-never expressive, never warm, only loyal to Luca and whatever order

answer. She hat

d them into fists. No matter what Luca threw her into t

edges and money. It was one of those exclusive high-rises where the walls whispered secrets and the

med guards who never acknowledged her presence. She felt l

e doors

hing in a seductive warmth. A long glass table sat in the center,

e sti

ad a scar across his jaw, another had the blank, reptilian stare of someone who'd seen too much to fear anything anymore.

a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Or

icate. Ruthless, precise. He was a storm that peo

hard. "I'm not an

as silent

omehow made the tension worse. "I like her alr

ssed. "Luca said he was sending someone...

e bit back her words. This wa

forward. "I'm here because I can speak for

a brow. "Th

. Isolde opened it with slow, deliberate hands. Inside were blueprints, shipment routes, and projectio

ous. Brutal in

was hers

nted for. She talked numbers and tactics like she'd spent her life in boardrooms instead of su

lis

t because she carried Luca's voice. And

this. Every meeting, every silent moment watching Luca, every day she'd spent n

ntation and met Artem'

le

an stood. "It's cl

ed. "Me too. Tell L

well. "He made an interesting choice sending you,

didn't

approached and offered her a

idn't

ws, but Isolde barely noticed them. Her heart was racing, her hands cl

peaceful and warm. She leaned over him, brushing a kiss to h

" she whispered.

or ho

e found herself summ

suit immaculate. When she entered, he turned slowly and

well,"

dn't r

who don't impress easily. Artem said

it for you,

uiet. "But you did it. T

ming me. You're turning me into

ontrol your own fate. You think the world would've give

ve figure

ping closer, voice low and

between th

. Now, they fear you. You've entered

est tighten. "Y

mply. "Just like

e, but nothing came out.

, this time quieter. "Why

rage," he said. "And they don'

letting the air b

be harder," he said.

another word. She di

out into the darkness, Nico asleep inside. The wind

er first step i

know if she could