Chapter 2

The east wing of Valkov Industries was a study in controlled luxury. My “room” was actually a suite larger than most apartments, complete with a sitting area, kitchenette, and a bedroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, but I noticed they were reinforced with steel mesh. Beautiful prison bars.

“Mr. Valkov has arranged for dinner at eight,” the woman in the black suit—she’d introduced herself as Ms. Chen, informed me. “He expects you’ll want to freshen up first.”

The way she said “expects” made it clear this wasn’t a request. After she left, I explored my cage. The closet was already stocked with clothes in my exact size. Designer pieces that probably cost more than my old government salary. Someone had done their homework.

I showered, letting the hot water wash away the grime of three months on the run. For the first time in weeks, I felt almost human. When I emerged, I found a black dress laid out on the bed, simple, elegant, and undoubtedly expensive.

The dining room was on the forty-fifth floor, accessed by a private elevator that required a key card. More security measures. The space was intimate, designed for maybe eight people at most.

Adrian was already there, changed into a black button-down that somehow made him look even more dangerous. He’d rolled up his sleeves, and I caught glimpses of tattoos on his forearms.

“You clean up nicely,” he said without looking up from the tablet he was studying.

“Thank you for the clothes.” I kept my voice neutral. “Though I’m curious how you knew my size.”

“I make it my business to know everything about the people in my care.” He set the tablet aside and finally looked at me. His dark eyes swept over me with an intensity that made heat pool in my stomach. “The dress suits you.”

“Is that what I am? In your care?”

“Among other things.” He gestured to the chair across from him. “Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”

I remained standing. “Such as?”

“Your value to this organization. Your role. Your… boundaries.”

The way he said boundaries made my pulse quicken. “I told you my terms.”

“You told me what you wanted. I’m telling you what you’ll get.” He leaned back in his chair, completely at ease. “Sit down, Elyra. Don’t make me ask again.”

There was steel beneath the silk of his voice. I sat.

“Better.” A server appeared, setting plates before us. Some kind of seafood that smelled incredible. “You’ll eat. You’re too thin.”

“I’ve been on the run for three months. Fine dining wasn’t exactly a priority.”

“It is now.” He cut into his food with precise movements. “Tell me about the Morrison assignment.”

I hesitated. The details of that night were burned into my memory, but sharing them felt like ripping open a wound. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything. Start with why you were chosen for his protection detail.”

“I was the best.” It wasn’t arrogance, just fact. “Clean record, highest marks in marksmanship and tactical response. Morrison requested me specifically.”

“Why?

“His daughter had been receiving threats. He wanted someone who could blend into social situations but respond to threats immediately.” I took a bite of the fish. “The irony is, the threat wasn’t to his daughter. It was to him.”

“Walk me through that night.”

I closed my eyes, letting the memories surface. “Charity gala at the Fairmont. Morrison was giving a speech about veterans’ benefits. I was positioned stage left, scanning the crowd. Everything was routine until…” I paused, the memory hitting me like a physical blow. “Until I saw the laser sight.”

Adrian’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. “Sniper?”

“Rooftop across the street. I had maybe two seconds to react. I moved to intercept, but…” I swallowed hard. “The bullet caught Morrison in the chest. He died in my arms.”

“And you were blamed because?”

“Because by the time backup arrived, I was covered in his blood, and the sniper had vanished. Security footage showed me tackling Morrison just before he was shot. Without audio, it looked like I was the one who killed him.”

Adrian set down his fork. “Someone deleted the audio.”

“Had to be. And they planted evidence in my apartment, cash, communications with known terrorists. By the time I realized what was happening, I was already a wanted woman.”

“Who had access to the security system?”

“That’s the million-dollar question.” I pushed food around my plate. “Could have been anyone with high-level clearance. Government, private security, maybe even—”

“Someone in my organization.” Adrian’s voice was deadly quiet.

“It’s possible. Morrison was investigating defense contractors. Your company was on his list.”

For a moment, the air between us crackled with tension. Then Adrian smiled, and it wasn’t pleasant. “You think I had him killed?”

“I think someone wanted him dead, and they used me to do it. Whether that someone works for you…” I shrugged. “That’s what I intend to find out.”

“Careful, little ghost. You’re in my house now.”

“And you’re harboring a fugitive. If I go down, I’m taking you with me.”

Adrian laughed, and the sound sent shivers down my spine. “I do like your spirit. It’s going to be fun breaking it.”

Before I could respond, the elevator chimed. Rafe and Nico emerged, both changed into casual clothes that did nothing to diminish their predatory aura.

“Hope we’re not interrupting,” Rafe said, though his tone suggested he didn’t care if he was.

“Actually, you’re just in time.” Adrian gestured to the empty chairs. “Elyra was just telling me about her former life.”

“Former being the operative word,” Nico said, settling into his chair with fluid grace. “You’re starting fresh now.”

“With a new identity, new papers, new everything,” Rafe added. “The question is, what do we call you?”

“My name is Elyra Hart.”

“Was,” Adrian corrected. “Elyra Hart is a wanted terrorist. You’re going to be someone new.”

“Someone who belongs to us,” Nico said softly.

There was that word again. Belong. “I don’t—”

“You do.” Adrian’s voice cut through my protest. “The moment you walked into my building, you became mine. Ours. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be.”

“And if I don’t accept it?”

Rafe’s smile was all teeth. “Then we’ll have to convince you.”

“How?” I demanded.

“However it takes,” Nico said simply.

The three men exchanged looks, and I felt like I was missing something. Some unspoken communication that excluded me entirely.

“I should go,” I said, starting to rise.

“Sit.” Adrian’s voice was quiet but absolute. “We’re not finished.”

I sat, hating myself for the automatic obedience.

“Good girl.” The praise sent an unwelcome thrill through me. “Now, let’s discuss your new role here. You’ll be working directly with our security team, helping to identify and eliminate threats to our operations. In exchange, you’ll have our protection and resources to track down whoever framed you.”

“And in the meantime?”

“In the meantime, you’ll live here. Under our supervision. Following our rules.” Adrian leaned forward. “Do you understand?”

I looked at each of them in turn. Three of the most dangerous men in the world, and I was completely at their mercy.

“I understand,” I said quietly.

“Excellent.” Adrian’s smile was sharp as a blade. “Welcome to your new life, little ghost.”