The sun is already pushing through the slit in my curtains when I blink my eyes open. It spills across my face in soft gold, and for a second, I forget where I am.


    But then I roll over and see the time: six thirty in the morning. In a little bit, I’ll have toe face-to-face with Konstantin all over again.


    This is gonna be a fun fucking day. I can feel it…


    Groaning, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and pad toward the shower. The pipes in my tiny two-bedroom home creak to life as steam fills the bathroom. My muscles ache, not from sleep, but from everything else. From what Konstantin did to me. What I let him do.


    I step into the hot spray, letting it scald my skin, hoping it will wash away the memories still clinging to my body. It doesn’t. I stay under the water until the steam clouds the mirror and the heat seeps into my bones.


    Eventually, I force myself out, toweling off quickly, then dry my hair before stepping into the hallway. That’s when my phone pings and a message lights up the screen.


    Konstantin


    My driver’s waiting for you outside. Don’t rush.


    Tessa


    He might be waiting a while.


    Konstantin


    We both know you’re worth waiting for.


    I fight the smile as I toss the phone on the bed and take my time getting ready. His charm won’t work on me. Not in this life, and not in the next. And I sure as hell am not about to let him think I’m scrambling for him. He may be my boss, but I’m in charge.


    Grabbing my ck pencil skirt and pale blue silk blouse, I slip into them before sliding into a pair of ck pumps. The outfit’s modest, but sharp, the kind of thing I wore working bureau cases.


    Adding a touch of makeup, I dry my hair and curl the ends just a little before flipping my head over and running my fingers through the strands. With my purse in hand and my peacoat on, I finally step outside, the morning air slightly chilly.


    The ck sedan parked at the curb is definitely expensive. I think it’s a Bentley of some kind, with windows tinted so dark I can’t see a thing.


    I lock my front door, slipping my keys back into my bag. Just as I turn to head down the steps for the car, the front door next to mine opens.


    “Morning, Tessa,” says Caleb, my sweet, kind-of-flirty neighbor.


    He’s probably in his early thirties, and if I was into the whole “bring him to meet your mom” vibes, I’d have already fucked him. But I don’t have a mom who’d give a shit, and the kind of guys I’m normally into are definitely not what people would call sweet.


    “Hey.” God, I despise small talk, especially with people I’m deceiving.


    He jogs across hiswn toward me.


    Great…


    “You’re all dressed up.” He grins. “Got a big day or something?”


    I shrug, trying to stay casual. “New job.”


    His brows lift. “Congrats. You celebrating tonight? Maybe I can take you out. I know this really low-key ce?—”


    The back door of the Bentley swings open so fast, it makes both of us jump.


    Konstantin steps out, to my utter shock. ck suit. No tie. Shirt open at the throat. But it’s his gaze I’m more concerned about. That lethal brutality in it, aimed at poor Caleb, like he might put a bullet between his eyes for simply existing.


    This day is getting better by the second.


    He stalks toward me, slow and sure. When he gets close, he leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek, but I can feel his angering out of him in waves.


    Well, this is bad. Psycho Bratva kingpin is about to get real crazy.


    “I didn’t know you were here,” I tell him, while his re remains on my poor, innocent neighbor. I start to turn to Caleb, fumbling for something to say. “This is my b?—”


    “Boyfriend,” Konstantin cuts in, smooth as silk, while his arm curls around my hips.


    My eyes widen slightly at him, but his expression is filled with amusement, like he’s daring me to fight him on it.


    Caleb’s smile drops. “Oh. Cool. Well, congrats on the new job.”


    He retreats fast, and Konstantin watches him with his nostrils ring.


    “Why did you just say that? You’re insane,” I mutter.


    He sucks in a long breath before he turns to me, fingers gripping my jaw as his face drops closer. “You haven’t even seen the tip of the iceberg.”


    I can feel the truth of his words, like they’re living and breathing.


    “So get in the car, Ms. Monroe…” His mouth lowers to the curve of my ear, palms tightly rounding my hips. “Before I show you exactly what I’m capable of.”


    Pretty sure I already know everything this man is capable of. Nothing would surprise me. He’s a soulless monster while, to the world, he pretends he has an ounce of decency.


    His fingers thread through mine, and a rush of warmth skates up my spine. I hate how good it feels to be held so protectively, especially by the likes of him. I grit my teeth against thefort it brings, like my body is ying for the wrong team.


    He leads me toward the car, opening the door in the back, and I slide in before he follows. Once we’re both seated, the driver takes the car down the road.


    I turn toward him. “So, are you gonna exin why in the hell you called yourself my boyfriend? Don’t you realize how inappropriate that is?”


    Konstantin reclines, spreading his knees, those dark irises roving down my body. “If anything, you should be thanking me.”


    Iugh. “And why’s that?”


    “Well, it seems as though I was saving you from what looked like a tragically boring rtionship. And you’re not the kind of girl who thrives on boredom, are you, Ms. Monroe?”


    I re. “That was still not appropriate. You’re the furthest thing from my boyfriend.”


    He sighs, as though this conversation is beneath him. As he draws closer, his fingers trail up my thigh, slow and measured. “I think you seem to be forgetting one thing.”


    I quirk a brow in question, and his mouth tips up.


    “You belong to me.”


    “As your assistant. Not your girlfriend.”


    His chuckle drips with darkness. The kind of sound that seduces and scars. He leans closer, mouth brushing my ear, the scent of him doing terrible things to my resolve.


    “I love this skirt, by the way.” His tone turns gruff. “But if you wear that blouse again, I might have to fuck you across my desk just to get it off.”


    My breath catches, thighs clenching on instinct. But the way he brushed past our conversation doesn’t go unnoticed.


    The bastard smirks again. “You’re blushing, malyshka.”


    I force my voice steady. “I don’t blush. But know one thing. I’m here to work. That’s all.”


    He cups my chin, turning my face to his. “This is fun.” His thumb swipes my lips. “Watching you pretend you don’t want me.”


    My jaw tightens beneath his touch. Because he’s not wrong. My body responds to him like it has never learned how to resist. No man has ever made me feel like this, like I’m losing control.


    But that doesn’t mean he gets to have all of me.


    I have a mission. A brother to save. A truth to uncover.


    And Konstantin? He’s the viin in this story. The kind of man who burns everything he touches. The kind of man who doesn’t just destroy lives; he ys with them first, and I won’t be his next toy.


    No matter how good he looks in that suit, no matter how badly I want to give in and let him ruin me, he’ll never have the part of me that matters. Not my loyalty. Not my heart. And certainly not my trust.


    If I end up in his bed, it won’t be because I love him. It’ll be because I chose it.


    When it’s over, he’ll still be the same ruthless man. And I’ll still be the woman who walked into hell for her brother and never let herself forget why.<hr>


    KONSTANTIN


    The Bentley glides to a stop in front of my building—a monolithic tower of ss and steel that reflects the city back at itself. Clean lines, ck and silver. Cold to most, but to me, it’s cathedral.


    The doors unlock, and I don’t wait for the driver. I round the car and open hers myself. She steps out slowly, her heels clicking against the concrete.


    Her eyes trace up the building, lips parting like she’s actually impressed. “You own this whole building?”


    “Every floor, top to bottom. Even the café downstairs that sells overpriced croissants.”


    She lifts a sassy brow when she catches my smirk. “How humble of you.”


    Of course, she’s not at all amused. Not that I expected her to be. It’ll take more to crack that armor around her. But I have all the time in the world.


    “Come, let me show you where you will be working.”


    I guide her through the lobby, my hand on her lower back. She tenses beneath my touch, but doesn’t pull away, which naturally pleases me.


    The elevator opens and we step inside. She doesn’t speak, simply content staring ahead as we climb to the top floor. Though I don’t miss the way her reflection watches me in the polished steel, and I would pay any money in the world just to know what she’s thinking.


    As soon as the door parts, the floor secretary greets us with a polite nod. “Good morning, sir.”


    We head left, down a long corridor that leads to the heart of my empire: my office. I let her in first, observing as her gaze sweeps across the room. It’s massive, intentionally so. A symbol of power that I wield freely over those who need the reminder that I’m always in charge.


    A ck velvet sofa rests against one wall, while my desk dominates the center of the space—a massive b of polished obsidian, clean and cold.


    I lead her toward the ss-paneled door on the right that opens to the small office within mine.


    “That’s your workspace.” My hand rests across the small of her back. “Close enough that I can see you at all times.”


    She lets out a snicker, but doesn’t step out of my touch. I watch her look around her new space, her gaze swimming past the ck desk, already installed with top-of-the-line tech.


    “Everything you need is here. Your credentials are in the drawer.”


    My hand draws up and down her arm from behind as her breath hitches. Every muscle in my body tenses as this proximity, this need for her ws at me, ripping through skin and bone.


    But I won’t take her. That would be too easy. This game we’re ying is a lot more exciting. For both of us.


    “You’re part of my world now, Ms. Monroe. Let’s see how well you can handle it.”


    I register her audible exhales, the way her skin prickles the more I touch her.


    I feel it too, katyonak.


    “I’m sure it won’t be that difficult.” Her perfect mouth curves at the corner as she nces at me from over her shoulder.


    I let out a harshugh, tipping her chin up between two fingers. “You like goading me, don’t you, Tessa?”


    Spinning her around, I push her up against her desk, winding her hair around my wrist. I let out a groan as I yank her head back, making her eyes ze over.


    “When we finally fuck, Ms. Monroe, I won’t hold back.”


    Her chest rises and falls heavily, her lips parting in a harsh sigh. “You make it sound like I’d be easy. Like I’d let you have me.”


    “No…” I shake my head. “You’re like a safe I’m going to enjoy cracking.” My knuckles feather across her chin. “And when I do, you’ll be on your knees begging me to give you what you have been long denied.”


    She swallows heavily, her eyes locked with mine, her throat bobbing.


    “We’re supposed to be professional.” But her voice betrays her, filled with quiet desire, the same that’s coursing through me.


    “But that’s not what you want, is it?” My body presses against hers, every inch of her melding with mine, and I know she can feel my straining erection against her stomach.


    Her cheeks flush, her body needy as her gaze flickers between me and the floor. I could have her right now, legs spread, my cock buried so deep she forgets every other man who dared to touch her.


    My mouth lowers to hers, a growl escaping from deep in my throat. Her hands grab my biceps, and my lips brush hers just as the inte on my desk goes off.


    Nu blyat.


    “Sir, you have a meeting in fifteen with the new investors. Just wanted to remind you,” the secretary we passed earlier says.


    I practically grunt like an animal at the disruption.


    The line goes dead, and thest thing I want to do is leave thefort of this woman.


    It’s a strange thought, to feel some oddfort in her arms. But unlike her, I don’t live in fantasy or denial. I don’t pretend what I feel means nothing.


    Only weak men deny what’s in front of them. Fear is not something I have, not like most people. I’m not afraid of whatever is happening between us. If anything, I’m intrigued. I never thought I’d ever experience such a…phenomenon.


    After all these years of being unaffected, truly unaffected, I know this woman is different.


    She’s something more. Something important. A bigger part of my destiny. I just haven’t figured out how.


    And God help whoever tries to get in the way when I do.


    Those eyes suck me in, the need in her body calling to me, but I can’t miss the fucking meeting. Ms. Monroe will have to wait. For now.


    It’s a good thing we have all the time in the world.


    Pulling back, I head for the doorway, ncing back at her. “Just so we’re clear, I expect my coffee at my desk as soon as you get in.”


    “Let me guess. ck, no sugar, like your soul.” That mouth curls like the feisty temptress she is.


    I’m on her in a blink of an eye, fingers curled around her slender throat, pushing her almost t on the desk.


    “I should have you on your knees for that, forcing every inch of my cock into that mouth until you’re gagging and wing for air. But it’s your first day…” I drop my mouth to her cheek and leave a gentle kiss there. “So I will excuse this insubordination.”


    She flusters as I back off, straightening her skirt, fingers running up to her neck where my hand just was.


    If that’s too much for her, I don’t think she’ll be ready for what I have in store. That only amuses me.


    “Oh and as far as your duties, you’ll go where I go. That includes this office, the bar, the club. Sometimes we’ll have to travel. You’re mine in every way.”


    Her eyes narrow. “Travel?”


    “Mm. Business trips. Maybe a private ind or two.” I smirk. “We might even have to share a bed.”


    She rolls her eyes. “And here I was hoping for a luxury suite without a caveman in it.”


    Iugh—deep, genuine. She’s sharp. Witty. Keeps me on edge in a way I shouldn’t enjoy as much as I do.


    I step closer, crowding her again—like I can’t help being everywhere she is, like I need to touch her every chance I get. It’s a sickness, this intensity, this lust…if one were even to call it that. But what else is there?


    Reaching for a loose strand of hair, I inspect how soft it is, how perfect. “You don’t like the idea of sharing a room with me?”


    She lifts her chin. “Not at all, considering how difficult it is for you to keep your hands to yourself.”


    God, she has no idea how tempting she is when she’s like this.


    “Never know. You might actually like it.”


    “Doubtful,” she scoffs.


    I let out a wryugh. Her witty tongue shouldn’t turn me on, but it does. Everything she does hits like a shot of good vodka.


    “I have to go. But if you need anything, youe to me.” My knuckles caress down her cheek—so soft, I’m almost undeserving of it.


    Almost.


    When I step out of her proximity, she turns away from me, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the view of New York City beyond us.


    I step behind her, palms across her hips as I look out with her, the city buzzing and unaware of the predators that lurk around every corner. “What do you see when you look out there?”


    She shrugs. “People. Problems. Chaos.”


    “I see power.” I lean in just enough that my breath stirs her hair. “Everyone ys a role, serves some sort of purpose. Some of them just don’t know it yet.”


    She stiffens slightly. I like that. I like the way her body reacts before her mouth can catch up.


    “And what role do I serve?”


    I run a finger lightly over her shoulder, a feather of a touch. “We’ll figure that out together, I promise. But I want you ready.”


    She turns to face me, her expression unreadable, but her body leans in, drawn toward me like a tide she can’t fight.


    “Ready for what?” she asks.


    I reach up, fingers brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my touch linger. “Anything.”


    Her eyes cling to mine with charged silence and thick with everything unsaid.


    This thing between us…it hums beneath my skin, electric and alive. Whatever this is, it’s not a spark. It’s a fuse.


    And we’re seconds from detonation.