Chapter 5

“You’re going to get yourself killed if you keep this up,” I said, watching Adrian load another clip into his pistol with mechanical precision.

We were in the underground shooting range, three levels beneath Valkov Industries. The space was state-of-the-art, soundproofed and ventilated, with targets that could be programmed for any scenario imaginable. Adrian had been here for the past hour, putting round after round into the center mass of human-shaped targets with deadly accuracy.

“Someone has to,” he replied without looking at me. “Sarah Blackwood’s people tried to kill Rafe yesterday. I’d say that confirms our suspicions about her involvement.”

The attack had been swift and professional. Three men with military training had cornered Rafe in the parking garage of one of our safe houses. If not for his reflexes and the body armor he wore religiously, he’d be dead. As it was, he’d walked away with a bullet graze across his ribs and a murderous expression that had sent half the security team scrambling for cover.

“Rafe can take care of himself,” I said, moving closer to the shooting booth. “You don’t have to avenge every slight against your partners.”

“Don’t I?” Adrian finally looked at me, and what I saw in his eyes made my breath catch. Raw fury, barely contained, and something else. Something that looked almost like fear. “They came after what’s mine. That requires a response.”

“What’s yours?”

“Rafe. Nico. This organization. You.” He said it matter-of-factly, as if it were obvious. “Anyone who threatens what belongs to me learns quickly that it was a mistake.”

The possessiveness In his voice should have angered me. Instead, it sent heat spiraling through my chest. “I can protect myself.”

“Can you?” He set the gun down and moved closer, backing me against the wall of the booth. “Because from where I’m standing, you’ve been running from shadows for months. You came to us because you couldn’t protect yourself.”

“I came to you because I needed resources.”

“You came to us because you were desperate and alone.” His hand came up to cup my face, thumb tracing along my cheekbone. “And now you’re neither.”

“Adrian…”

“Do you know what I did when I heard about the attack on Rafe?” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I had three of Blackwood’s warehouses burned to the ground. Her entire shipping operation in the northeast is gone."

I stared at him, seeing the predator that lurked beneath his civilized exterior. “You could have killed innocent people.”

“I made sure they were empty first. I’m not a monster, Elena. I’m just very good at making problems disappear.” His other hand came to rest on my hip, holding me in place. “The question is, are you okay with that?”

“With what?”

“With being claimed by someone who solves problems with violence. With belonging to men who don’t ask permission before they act.” His thumb brushed across my lower lip. “With being protected by monsters.”

The word hung between us like a challenge. Monster. Was that what he was? What they all were? And if so, what did that make me for wanting them anyway?

“You’re not monsters,” I said quietly.

“Aren’t we?” His smile was sharp, predatory. “I’ve killed thirty-seven people, Elena. Nico has killed more. Rafe loses count after fifty. We traffic in violence and call it business. We own judges, senators, police commissioners. We’re everything your old life taught you to fight against.”

“Then why do I feel safer with you than I ever did with them”

The question surprised us both. Adrian’s hand stilled on my face, his dark eyes searching mine.

“Because you recognize what we are,” he said finally. “Predators. But we’re your predators now. And we protect what’s ours.”

Before I could respond, the door burst open and Rafe stalked in, his face like a thundercloud. He was shirtless, white bandages wrapped around his ribs, and every line of his body screamed barely contained violence.

“The warehouse fires were a nice touch,” he said without preamble. “But I want more.”

Adrian didn’t move away from me, didn’t release his hold. “What do you have in mind?”

“Blackwood herself. She’s attending a charity auction tomorrow night. High society bullshit, lots of security, perfect place for an accident.” Rafe’s green eyes glittered with malice. “I want to send a message.”

“No.” The word came out of my mouth before I could stop it. Both men turned to look at me, surprise clear on their faces.

“No?” Rafe’s voice was dangerously quiet.

“You kill her at a public event, and you’ll have every law enforcement agency in the country looking at you. It’s too messy, too public.” I pushed past Adrian, moving to the center of the room where I could see both men clearly. “If you want to send a message, make it personal. Make it hurt.”

“What are you suggesting?” Adrian asked.

“I’m suggesting we don’t kill her. We destroy her. Her business, her reputation, her entire life.” I felt something cold and sharp unfurling in my chest. “Death is too quick. Too easy.”

Rafe’s smile was slow and sickening. “I like the way you think, sweetheart.”

“She tried to kill you,” I continued, my voice gaining strength. “She’s part of the network that killed Morrison and destroyed my life. She doesn’t get to die quickly.”

“And how exactly do you propose we destroy her?” Adrian asked, though there was approval in his tone.

“The same way she’s been destroying other people’s lives. We expose her trafficking operation, but we do it slowly. We let her watch everything she’s built crumble piece by piece.” I felt a fierce satisfaction at the thought. “We make her beg.”

“Vicious,” Nico said from the doorway. None of us had heard him enter, but he stood there now, elegant and composed, watching us with those pale eyes. “I approve.”

“It’s not vicious,” I said. “It’s justice.”

“Is it?” Nico moved closer, and I found myself surrounded by all three men. “Or is it revenge? Because there’s a difference.”

“Does it matter?”

“Not to us,” Adrian said, his hand returning to my face. “We don’t deal in justice, Elena. We deal in consequences.”

“Then let’s give her some consequences,” I said, meeting his gaze steadily.

For a moment, the four of us stood in silence, the weight of what we were planning settling over us like a shroud. I should have been horrified at how easily I’d slipped into their world of violence and retribution. Instead, I felt something that might have been relief.

“There’s just one problem,” Rafe said finally. “How do we get close enough to her to make this work?”

“Leave that to me,” I said, already formulating a plan. “I know exactly how to get us an invitation to her world.”

“How?” Adrian asked.

“Simple.” I smiled, and it felt sharp as a blade. “We’re going to give her exactly what she wants. A chance to kill me herself.”

The three men exchanged glances, and I saw something pass between them. Understanding, maybe. Or approval.

“Dangerous,” Nico said softly.

“Stupid,” Rafe added.

“Perfect,” Adrian concluded, his smile matching mine. “When do we start?”

As I outlined my plan, I felt the last of my old self slipping away. Elena Hart, the government agent who believed in justice and the rule of law, was gone. In her place stood someone harder, colder, more willing to embrace the darkness.

Someone who belonged with monsters.

Someone who might just be becoming one herself