"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.

The SUV slammed on the brakes, turning sideways in a cloud of dust and smoke. The doors flew open before it even stopped moving.

Victor stepped out, holding an assault rifle, his face an absolute mask of demonic fury. Marco and three other heavily armed enforcers poured out from the other doors.

Richard Caldwell’s men didn't even have time to aim.

Gunfire erupted, deafening and chaotic in the echoing warehouse. The two mercenaries dropped to the concrete instantly.

I hit the ground, covering my head as bullets sparked against the metal shipping containers.

The shooting stopped as quickly as it started. Silence fell over the pier, save for the sound of my ragged breathing.

“Anna!” Victor’s voice roared.

I looked up. Victor threw his rifle to Marco and ran toward me, sliding to his knees on the filthy concrete. He grabbed my shoulders, checking me frantically for bullet holes.

“I’m okay,” I sobbed, throwing my arms around his neck. “He threatened my mother, Victor. He said you were with the FBI.”

“I have the FBI on my payroll, Anna,” Victor growled, holding me so tightly I could barely breathe. “When Marco realized you were gone, I knew it was a trap. I nearly tore the city apart looking for you.”

He pulled back, his eyes flashing with a terrifying anger as he looked past me.

Richard Caldwell was on his knees, unharmed but completely surrounded by Victor’s men. He was shaking, staring at the bodies of his mercenaries.

Victor stood up slowly. He pulled a sleek, suppressed handgun from his shoulder holster and walked toward the billionaire.

“Victor, no!” I yelled, scrambling to my feet.

“Mr. DeLuca, please,” Caldwell begged, raising his hands in surrender. “We can make a deal. I’ll sign over the Midtown properties. I’ll leave the country.”

“You threatened her mother,” Victor said coldly, pointing the gun at Caldwell’s forehead. “You put a gun to the woman I love. There is no deal.”

“Victor, wait!” I grabbed his arm, pulling it down just as I had at the club. “If you shoot him, the feds will have no choice but to raid the estate. You can't kill a billionaire in cold blood without consequences.”