"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 morning sun broke through the industrial windows of the safe house, casting long shadows across the floor.

I stood by the window, wearing one of Victor’s oversized dress shirts, drinking a cup of coffee. The city of New York looked quiet from up here, completely unaware of the power shifts that had occurred in the night.

Victor walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“Marco just called,” Victor murmured, his voice laced with sleep. “The police have cleared the gala. They’re ruling the shooting as self-defense. The mayor personally signed off on the paperwork.”

I let out a long breath. “It’s really over.”

“For the Caldwells, yes,” Victor agreed.

But I felt a slight hesitation in his voice. I turned around in his arms, looking up into his dark, calculating eyes.

“What aren't you telling me?” I asked.

Victor sighed, looking out at the city skyline. “When a king falls, the wolves start circling. Richard Caldwell had allies in the Russian syndicate. They’ve been looking for an excuse to move into my territory for years. The Caldwell bankruptcy leaves a power vacuum.”

My heart skipped a beat. “You mean there’s going to be a war.”

“There is always a war in my world, Anna,” Victor said, looking back at me, his expression deadly serious. “That is the reality of the life you have chosen. There will always be men who want to take what is mine.”

He reached out, gently holding the side of my face.

“But they will have to kill me before they ever get close to you,” he vowed.

I looked at the dangerous, beautiful monster who had given me everything. I knew the peace we had today was temporary. I knew the shadows would eventually creep back in, bringing new enemies, new threats, and new violence.

But I also knew I wouldn't face it alone.

I reached out and took his hand, lacing my fingers through his.