Elena’s heart was still pounding when the song ended. Adrian hadn’t kissed her, hadn’t taken what she thought he would—but the weight of his hand on her waist, the heat of his breath on her skin, had been enough to shatter the walls she’d built.

Enough to make her hate herself for wanting more.

He didn’t release her immediately. His hand lingered, possessive. Eyes burning with an intensity that made her feel stripped bare.

“That wasn’t so difficult,” Adrian murmured.

She shoved him back with both palms, her chest heaving. “Don’t you dare think I’ll ever be one of your toys.”

The room below had dulled into background noise, but here on the balcony, her voice cut sharp, trembling but unyielding. “You can parade me into your little empire, show me your power, but it doesn’t make me yours.”

Adrian tilted his head, amused. “You think you still belong to yourself?”

The words sliced deeper than she expected. Her nails dug into her palms.

“Yes.”

Silence hung heavy. Then, suddenly, Adrian laughed—a low, dangerous sound that vibrated through her bones. Not mockery. Admiration.

“You’re the first woman who’s ever dared to say that to me.” He stepped closer again, slower this time, like a man savoring the fight. “It only makes me want you more.”

She backed into the wall, but her glare didn’t waver. “You want obedience, Adrian? You’ll never get it from me.”

His smile darkened, but his eyes gleamed with hunger. “Good. Obedience is boring. I want your defiance—broken, reshaped, bound to me by choice.”

Her breath caught. His words weren’t a threat—they were a vow.

And that terrified her more than his touch.

Before she could respond, the door to the balcony swung open. A tall man with sharp features stepped out, his expression stormy, his voice thick with disdain.

“Adrian.”

Elena stiffened. The resemblance was unmistakable—same strong jaw, same cutting eyes, but colder.

Damien Blackthorne.

Her pulse spiked.

Damien’s gaze flicked to her, then back to Adrian. His lips curled into a mocking smile. “You’ve finally found a new toy.”

Adrian’s arm slid protectively in front of her, his voice dropping into steel. “Leave.”

But Damien didn’t. He stepped forward, smirk widening. “Careful, brother. You know what happens when you grow attached.”

The air turned razor-sharp. Elena could feel the tension between them, a storm waiting to break.

And for the first time, she realized—whatever obsession Adrian had for her, it wasn’t just about wanting.

It was about keeping her safe from enemies who wanted to watch him bleed.

Even if the enemy was his own blood.

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