Three kings,one queen

Chapter 1

The elevator climbed fifty-seven floors. My reflection stared back from polished steel doors, dark hair in a bun, jaw set in the hard line that had become my default over the past six months. Six months since I became the most hunted woman in America.

“Ms. Hart? Mr. Valkov is expecting you.”

I followed her through corridors. Three months ago, I would’ve infiltrated a place like this to steal expensive stuff. Now I was walking through the front door, begging for sanctuary.

I was about to meet Mr. Valkov, one of The Three Kings, they weren’t just billionaires. They were predators who fed on the weak. And here I was, about to offer myself up as prey.

The door opened, and I felt him before I saw him. Adrian Valkov commanded attention like a gravitational pull. I turned slowly as our eyes met.

He was everything the files said. tall, impeccably-dressed in charcoal, dark hair, sharp features, and eyes that seemed to see straight through me. But the files hadn’t captured the intensity radiating from him.

“Elyra Hart.” His voice was smooth, cultured, with just a hint of an accent. “The ghost no one seems to be able to catch”

“I prefer to think of myself as temporarily misplaced.” I kept my voice steady. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

He moved closer, and I fought the urge to step back. Everything about him spelled danger. This man didn’t just run a security empire. He was a weapon wrapped in expensive fabric.

“You have thirty seconds to tell me why I shouldn’t hand you over to the very people hunting you.” He stopped close enough that I could smell his cologne, something expensive and masculine that made my traitorous body take notice.

“Because I’m worth more to you alive than dead. And because you’re about to have a problem that only someone with my skill set can solve.”

I reached into my jacket slowly, pulled out a tablet, and set it on the table.

“Your Belgrade operation was compromised last night. Three of your assets are dead, and your weapons shipment is sitting in a government warehouse.” I watched his expression carefully. “The leak came from inside your organization.”

For a moment, his mask slipped. Just for a heartbeat, I saw something flicker in his eyes. Shock, maybe even fear.

“You’ve been busy.” He moved to the tablet, swiping through the intelligence I’d gathered. “This is classified information.”

“I used to have clearance for classified information. Before I was framed for murder.”

“Senator Morrison.” It wasn’t a question.

“I was assigned to protect him. Instead, I’m being blamed for his death.” The words tasted bitter. “Someone wanted him dead, and they needed a scapegoat.”

Adrian set the tablet down. “And you think I can protect you from the kind of people who orchestrate political assassinations?”

“I think you already are.” I gestured toward the windows. “This building is a fortress. Your security is military-grade. And you have resources that make government agencies look like corner stores.”

He studied me for a long moment. “What makes you think I won’t just take your intelligence and dispose of you?”

“Because I’m not just offering you information. I’m offering you me. My skills, my training, my knowledge of how the other side operates. You’re about to go to war with people who have unlimited resources and no conscience. You need someone who knows how they think.”

“And in return?”

“Protection. A new identity. And the chance to find out who really killed Senator Morrison.” I paused. “I know you understand the value of revenge, Mr. Valkov.”

The door opened, and two men entered. I recognized them immediately, Rafe Stroud and Nico Salvatore. The other two Kings. They moved like predators, all controlled power and barely leashed violence.

Rafe was ruggedly handsome with a signature scar cutting across his left cheek. His dark green eyes swept over me with undisguised suspicion. Nico was quieter, more elegant, but there was something in his pale blue gaze that made my skin crawl.

“So this is our little government fugitive,” Rafe drawled. “She’s prettier than her wanted poster.”

“Prettier and more dangerous,” Nico added softly.

Adrian didn’t take his eyes off me. “She knows about Belgrade.”

Both men went perfectly still. The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.

“How?” Rafe’s voice was deadly quiet.

“The same people who framed me are the ones who compromised your operation. We have a mutual enemy.”

“Or she’s working for them,” Nico said, moving closer. “This could be an elaborate setup.”

“It could be.” Adrian’s voice was thoughtful. “But I don’t think it is.”

“Why?” Rafe demanded.

Adrian’s lips curved in what might have been a smile. “Because she’s desperate. And desperate people make interesting allies.”

I felt heat rise in my cheeks. “I’m not desperate. I’m strategic.”

“Same thing, in your situation.” Adrian moved to the window. “You’re being hunted by people with unlimited resources. You have nowhere to run, no one to trust. You’re offering yourself to us because we’re the only ones powerful enough to protect you.”

He was right, and we both knew it.

“I’m offering you a mutually beneficial arrangement,” I said carefully.

“Are you?” Adrian turned back to me, something predatory in his expression. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re offering to become our property.”

The word hung in the air like a challenge. Property. As if I were something to be owned.

“I don’t belong to anyone,” I said firmly.

“Everyone belongs to someone,” Rafe said with a dark chuckle. “The question is who’s strong enough to claim them.”

Nico moved closer. “You’re not in a position to negotiate, Ms. Hart. You’re in a position to beg.”

“I don’t beg.”

“Everyone begs,” Adrian said softly. “Eventually.”

The three men formed a loose circle around me, and I felt the walls closing in. But even as panic clawed at my chest, I knew it was too late. I was already in too deep.

“So what’s it going to be?” Adrian’s voice was silk over steel. “Are you going to accept our protection on our terms? Or are you going to walk out that door and see how long you last on your own?”

I looked at each of them in turn. Three of the most dangerous men in the world, and I was about to put my life in their hands.

“What are your terms?” I asked, hating how small my voice sounded.

Adrian’s smile was sharp as a blade. “Complete honesty. Complete obedience. And complete trust.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then you leave now, and we pretend this conversation never happened.” His eyes glittered. “But we both know you won’t refuse.”

He was right. Damn him, he was right.

“I accept,” I said, the words feeling like a death sentence.

“Good.” Adrian moved to his desk, pressing the intercom. “Prepare the east wing. Our guest will be staying indefinitely.”

“There’s just one more thing,” Adrian said casually. “You’ll be staying in the compound. For your own protection, of course.”

“Of course,” I echoed, understanding perfectly. I wouldn’t be a guest. I’d be a prisoner.

“Don’t look so glum,” Rafe said with a dark grin. “If you’re good, we might even let you keep your weapons.”

“And if I’m not good?” I asked.

Nico’s smile was cold as winter. “Then we’ll have to teach you how to be.”

As I followed the woman out of the conference room, I caught one last glimpse of the three men. They were watching me like predators sizing up their prey, and I knew with absolute certainty that I had just made a deal with the devil.

Three devils, actually.

And the worst part? I was starting to think I might enjoy it.