Dominic

10

_________

The rhythmic hum of the car’s engine fills the tense silence between us as we wind through the quiet city streets. Eva sits rigidly beside me, staring out the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She hasn’t said much since we left the parking garage, and I can’t decide if that’s a blessing or a curse.

For someone so fiery, she has a way of making silence feel louder than words.

“This isn’t what you signed up for, is it?” I ask finally, breaking the quiet.

She turns to me, her green eyes sharp in the dim light of the dashboard. “Are you asking because you care, or because you’re worried I’ll back out?”

“Can’t it be both?”

Her lips twitch, almost like she’s suppressing a smile, but the moment passes quickly. “I knew this wouldn’t be easy,” she says, her tone softening, “but I didn’t expect it to get this… personal.”

Personal. The word feels like an accusation, but I don’t blame her for feeling that way. Whoever’s behind this isn’t just targeting Kane Enterprises anymore—they’ve dragged her into it, and that’s on me.

“You’re handling it better than most,” I admit, keeping my eyes on the road. “Most people would’ve run by now.”

“Most people don’t have as much to prove,” she replies.

Her words linger in the air like a challenge, and I glance at her briefly. She’s not just talking about the story, and we both know it. Eva Stone is carrying her own set of scars, just like me.

The secure location Adrian flagged is a data facility on the outskirts of the city, tucked behind a nondescript warehouse. It’s not flashy, but that’s the point. Discretion is critical in my line of work, and this facility has served as a contingency hub for Kane Enterprises for years.

When we pull into the parking lot, the place looks deserted. The single security light overhead casts long, eerie shadows, and the faint buzz of electricity is the only sound.

“Not exactly welcoming,” Eva mutters as she steps out of the car.

“It’s not supposed to be,” I reply, leading her toward the entrance. The metal door creaks as I push it open, revealing a sterile hallway lined with steel panels.

Adrian is waiting for us just inside, his ever-present tablet in hand. “The breach originated here,” he says, getting straight to the point. “We’ve isolated the server, but there’s something you need to see.”

We follow him to the server room, where rows of blinking machines hum in unison, the only sign of life in the cold, controlled environment. Adrian stops in front of one of the racks and gestures to a screen displaying a series of code strings.

“This is the access point they used,” he explains. “It’s an old code—one that should’ve been deactivated months ago.”

Eva leans in, her brow furrowing as she studies the screen. “If it was deactivated, how did they use it?”

“They reactivated it,” Adrian says grimly. “Which means they had internal access.”

My jaw tightens. “Conrad.”

“It’s possible,” Adrian admits. “But there’s something else.” He taps the screen, pulling up another file. “They left a message.”

The words flash across the screen, stark and taunting:

Every empire falls. Yours is next.

Eva exhales sharply beside me, her fingers curling into fists. I glance at her, the fire in her eyes unmistakable.

“Do you know who left this?” she asks Adrian.

He shakes his head. “Not yet. But the language is consistent with the other messages. They want you to know they’re watching.”

“More than watching,” I mutter. “They’re testing us. Pushing to see how far we’ll go.”

Eva turns to me, her gaze piercing. “And how far are you willing to go?”

The question hangs between us, heavy with implication. I don’t answer right away because the truth is, I don’t know. I’ve spent my entire career building this empire, brick by brick, and I’m not about to let it crumble.

But for the first time, the cost of protecting it feels higher than I expected.

___________

Back at the penthouse, the tension finally snaps.

“You’re holding something back,” Eva says, pacing the living room like a caged animal. “I can feel it.”

I pour myself a drink, the sharp tang of whiskey burning my throat as I down it in one gulp. “I’m protecting you.”

“From what?” she demands. “From the truth? Because newsflash, —I’m already in this. Hiding things from me isn’t going to keep me safe.”

Her words hit harder than I want to admit, and I set the glass down with a little too much force. “You don’t understand what’s at stake here.”

“Then explain it to me!” she fires back. “Stop shutting me out and start treating me like a partner.”

The word “partner” catches me off guard, and for a moment, I don’t know how to respond. She’s right—I’ve been keeping her at arm’s length, convincing myself it’s for her own good. But the truth is, I’m scared. Scared of what will happen if I let her get too close. Scared of what will happen if I don’t.

“You think this is easy for me?” I say finally, my voice quieter now. “Every person I’ve ever trusted has betrayed me. Every single one.”

She stops pacing, her eyes softening. “Not everyone.”

I laugh bitterly. “Name one.”

“Me,” she says simply. “I haven’t betrayed you.”

Her words disarm me, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at her. There’s no mockery in her tone, no challenge—just sincerity. It’s more unsettling than any argument she could’ve thrown at me.

The tension shifts again, no longer hostile but charged with something deeper. I don’t know who moves first, but suddenly she’s in my arms, her lips crashing against mine.

The kiss is electric, a release of everything we’ve been holding back—anger, frustration, need. Her hands tangle in my hair, and I pull her closer, losing myself in the taste of her.

I responded with equal fervor, my hands gripping her hips, pulling her body against mine. I could feel her curves, soft and inviting, pressing into me. The kiss was chaotic, a clash of tongues and teeth, and it ignited a fire within me that I had never known existed.

Breaking away for air, I looked into her eyes, now dark with desire. “Fuck,” I breathed, my hands moving to the buttons of her blouse. I needed to feel her skin, to explore every inch of her. She nodded, her hands mirroring my actions, unbuttoning my shirt with trembling fingers.

We stumbled towards the couch, our kisses becoming more desperate with each step. I pushed her down gently, following her, my body covering hers. The feel of her beneath me was intoxicating. I kissed her neck, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down to the swell of her breasts, now heaving with each breath.

My hands worked quickly, discarding her blouse and bra, revealing her perfect breasts. Her nipples, tight and erect, beckoned me. I lowered my head, taking one hardened peak into my mouth, sucking and teasing it with my tongue. Eva arched her back, her hands threading through my hair, encouraging me to continue.

“Oh, fuck,” she moaned, her voice thick with pleasure. “Don’t stop.”

I switched to her other breast, lavishing attention on it, while my hand traveled down her flat stomach, slipping beneath the waistband of her skirt. I stroked her through her panties, feeling how wet she was. Eva’s hips bucked against my touch, seeking more friction.

“Please,” she whispered, her breath coming in short gasps. “I need you inside me.”

I wanted to tease her, to draw out this moment, but my own need was becoming unbearable. I sat up, quickly ridding myself of my remaining clothes, my erection straining towards her. Eva’s eyes widened at the sight of my hard cock, her hand reaching out to stroke it gently.

“Beautiful,” she breathed, her fingers wrapping around me, pumping slowly. I hissed in a breath, my eyes rolling back at her touch. “I want to taste you,” she said, her voice a raspy whisper.

Before I could respond, she leaned forward, taking the head of my cock into her warm mouth. Her tongue swirled around the tip, teasing me, before taking me deeper. I groaned, my hands gripping the couch cushions as she sucked and bobbed her head, her full lips sliding up and down my length.

“Fuck, Eva,” I managed to say, my thighs trembling. “Your mouth feels so good.”

She hummed in response, the vibrations sending me closer to the edge. I didn’t want to come yet, not like this. With a groan, I pulled her up, claiming her mouth in a hungry kiss.

“I need to be inside you,” I growled against her lips.

Eva nodded, her eyes glazed with desire. She positioned herself above me, her hands grasping my cock, guiding it to her entrance. Slowly, she lowered herself, taking me inch by inch, her heat enveloping me. I hissed in a breath, my eyes closing at the incredible sensation.

She began to move, her hips rolling in a slow, sensual rhythm. I opened my eyes, watching her breasts bounce with each movement, her head thrown back in ecstasy. I reached up, pinching her nipples, earning a moan of pleasure.

“Harder,” she panted, her voice hoarse. “Fuck me harder.”

I complied, my hands gripping her hips, guiding her movements as I thrust up to meet her. Our bodies slapped together, a primal rhythm taking over. I could feel my orgasm building, but I wanted her to find hers first.

“Come for me, Eva,” I urged, my fingers finding her clit, rubbing it in firm circles.

Her eyes fluttered shut, her body tensing as she rode the waves of pleasure. “Oh God, I’m coming!” she cried out, her walls clenching around me, milking my cock.

Her orgasm triggered mine, and I thrust up one last time, spilling into her with a hoarse shout. We rode the waves of pleasure together, our bodies slick with sweat, our hearts pounding as one.

As our breathing slowed, Eva collapsed onto my chest, her hair tickling my skin. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, feeling the rise and fall of her chest.

“This doesn’t change anything,” she whispers, her voice breathless.

“No,” I agree, my forehead resting against hers. “It changes everything.”

We’re still tangled together on the couch when her phone buzzes, shattering the fragile peace. Eva stiffens, reaching for it, and I feel her whole body go tense as she reads the message.

“What is it?” I ask, sitting up.

She hands me the phone, her hands trembling. The text is short, but its meaning is crystal clear:

“We warned you. You’re next.”

I stare at the words, my blood turning to ice. Whoever’s behind this isn’t just playing games anymore—they’re making their move.

“They know we’re together,” I say, my voice low and dangerous.

Eva nods, her face pale but determined. “What do we do now?”

I look at her, and for the first time, I feel the full weight of what it means to protect her. This isn’t just about my company anymore. It’s about her.

“We fight back,” I say firmly. “And this time, we play by my rules.”

The determination in her eyes mirrors my own, and I know we’re in this together—whether we like it or not.