"A billionaire’s son shoved me to the marble floor of a packed Manhattan restaurant, then stood over me while wealthy strangers watched in silence. He thought I was just a waitress he could humiliate without consequences, until the most feared man in the room pushed back his chair and stood up.

Victor’s gaze remained locked on mine, his chest heaving with adrenaline. The dark violence in his eyes was a terrifying storm, but my hand on his arm anchored him.

“He broke the rule, Anna,” Victor said, his voice a lethal growl. “He touched you.”

“If you kill him, his father brings the police and the feds down on this club,” I argued, squeezing his forearm. “Don't destroy your empire for him. He’s a pathetic, drunken coward. Send him a message he’ll never forget, but let him breathe.”

Victor stared at me for a long, heavy moment. Slowly, the murderous tension in his shoulders relaxed. He turned to Marco, who was holding a whimpering Ethan by the collar.

“Take him to the alley,” Victor commanded coldly. “Shatter his other wrist. Tell his father that if I ever see this piece of trash in my city again, I will return him in boxes.”

Marco nodded grimly and dragged Ethan out the back doors.

Victor turned back to me. Without a word, he grabbed my hand and led me through the private door behind the bar, taking us up the private elevator to his penthouse office above the club.

The doors closed, sealing us in silence.

Victor poured two glasses of scotch. He handed me one and downed his own in a single gulp.

“You shouldn't have stopped me,” Victor said, leaning heavily against his desk.

“I didn't want his blood on your hands,” I replied softly, setting my glass down. I stepped closer to him. “You saved me, Victor. I won't let you throw your life away for a petty grudge.”

Victor looked down at me, his eyes softening into something profound and dangerous.

“You think this is a petty grudge?” Victor whispered, reaching out to cup my cheek. His thumb brushed over my skin, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my core. “I went to war with the Caldwells the second he shoved you to that floor, Anna. I would burn Manhattan to ash to keep you safe.”

My breath hitched. The air between us cracked with a sudden, overwhelming tension.