Blood and Roses

an – 3:

ed uprigh

l air drifting through the open windows of Damien's penthouse. Her fin

her

r nigh

r echo

okay," she whispered, more to herself t

ss shifted

as groggy but al

t answer

hand down her back. "

no

r gently into his arms. "H

a whispered i

l burn the world before I

Damien's P

window, phone pressed to his ear, mus

ry Blackwood building," he said. "If he so much as steps

n place. But it gets better. I had our techs

eb

minor investors in a pharmaceutical firm yo

" Damien

leak it to

eyes darkening. "I want him t

ile -

ed his burner phone

ike a predator, eyes bloodsho

ts. Frozen assets. Deleted con

se of

se of

et-Isla, smiling in the sunlight three years ago.

you," he whispe

Central Par

es shielding her eyes, a Blackwood security ag

e in days, she le

ed to whisper meanings behind each bloom. Red f

cked a w

Marq

tu

wn coat extend

en vanished before sec

envelope with

a sing

always were

ou to

ped it.

then

. – Black

Damien's office doo

ropped the phone the

happ

ed him t

Then again. His e

con

f

ote. "He was in t

secu

needs u

Full lockdown. Mia, I want facial recon across

's Hidden Safehous

as they stepped into the sprawling glass-an

him," Damien said.

nd lavender. A roaring fireplace cu

erything gleamed with clean lines and unto

ryly. "One in Mo

ionaire fortress

espite the tension, a s

iculous," s

utiful when

Heat rushed t

closer. "St

stay

ust for safety.

eath c

u. The baby. The future. I know it's f

on't know if I can give

cheek. "You

wasn't heat or urgency-it

rom

Elsewhere

or to a grimy, unde

ldez, gang-affiliated arms de

his far?" Rico asked, toss

n unzi

Ammo

in was

her," Brandon said. "

– Safehou

ien's sweaters, hair damp from a shower. She watched t

h a tray of hot coco

e edition," she

eyes on every possible lead. Mia's g

inst his shoulder. "I do

why I want to

sm

pered, "I

le. "Then we'll be

- Hidde

ed at the in

nd

use. Real-ti

ed, "Game

resse

– Safeho

d in silk sheets and steady heartbeats. The kind

oo, don't you?

ed over

een us. It's not

urmured. "

ouse alarm

ghts p

ything s