Chapter 11

ELEVEN

T he city sprawls beneath me, a glittering tapestry of light and shadow. From Hawk's penthouse, I should feel on top of the world. Instead, I'm burning from the inside out, trapped in a gilded cage of luxury and desire.

My fingers twitch, itching for control. Hawk's "protection" may confine me physically, but in the digital realm, I'm still Sphinx—untouchable, unstoppable.

I retrieve my custom-built hacking tool, disguised as a sleek smartphone. To the casual observer, I'm just another socialite. If only they knew the chaos I'm about to unleash.

Bypassing Hawk's state-of-the-art security is child's play. I slip into his network like a ghost leaving no trace. From there, Viktor Kazanov's systems beckon, a siren call I can't resist.

"Let's see what secrets you're hiding, Viktor," I murmur, diving into the depths of his digital empire.

Layer after layer of cybersecurity falls before me. It's intoxicating, this power. In here, I'm not Devin West, the heiress under house arrest. I'm the shadow that haunts Viktor's nightmares.

I locate his personal cell phone data, tapping into a real-time feed of his calls and messages. Viktor's voice fills my ears, cold and calculated.

"Lay low until I give the signal," he commands his lieutenants. "We need to identify who is sabotaging our operations before we deal with Devin West."

My heart races. He knows. Not everything, but enough to be on guard.

"There's a possibility she's connected to the Hacker Alliance," Viktor continues. "Maybe even Sphinx."

A smirk tugs at my lips. "So close, yet so far," I think, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Time to remind Viktor why he should fear the shadows.

I dive deeper, planting false information like toxic seeds. Financial records scramble, shipments reroute to nonexistent destinations, fabricated messages sow discord among his top lieutenants. A virus, elegant in its simplicity, begins to eat away at his data.

The sound of the penthouse door opening snaps me back to reality. I secure my device in an instant, my pulse quickening as Hawk strides in, a predator in a perfectly tailored suit.

Our eyes lock. The air crackles, charged with unspoken hunger.

"You're back early," I say, aiming for nonchalance but hearing the breathless quality in my voice.

Hawk's gaze rakes over me, hot enough to burn. "Miss me?" The corner of his mouth quirks up, knowing and dangerous.

"You wish," I retort, but we both hear the lie.

He moves closer, each step deliberate. I force myself to stand my ground, even as every nerve-ending screams for contact.

"You can't keep me here forever," I say, needing to push back, to feel some semblance of control.

Hawk chuckles, the sound vibrating through me. "Can't I?" He's close now, close enough that I can smell his cologne. "Face it, Devin. You don't want to leave."

His words hit too close to home. I turn away, needing distance, but he catches my wrist. His touch sends electricity arcing through my body.

"Let go," I demand, but there's no real fight in it.

"Make me," Hawk challenges, voice low and rough.

I spin back to face him, ready to argue, but the words die in my throat. His eyes are storm-gray, pupils blown wide with desire. For me.

"This game," Hawk murmurs, pulling me closer until we're chest to chest, "is dangerous."

"I like danger," I breathe, tilting my chin up defiantly.

A growl rumbles through Hawk's chest. "Careful what you wish for, little mouse."

His free hand comes up to cup my face, thumb brushing over my lower lip. I can't help the small gasp that escapes me, and Hawk's eyes darken further.

"What do you really want, Devin?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

The truth claws its way up my throat, impossible to deny. "You," I admit. "I want you."

Triumph flashes in Hawk's eyes. "That's my girl," he says before crushing his mouth to mine.

The kiss is all-consuming, a clash of teeth and tongues. I moan into it, fingers curling into the lapels of his jacket. Hawk's hand slides into my hair, gripping tightly, angling my head for deeper access.

When we finally break apart, we're both panting. Hawk's usually immaculate hair is mussed where I've run my fingers through it. The sight sends a thrill of satisfaction through me.

"You're playing with fire," Hawk warns, but there's a note of admiration in his voice.

I smirk, feeling bold. "Maybe I want to get burned."

Hawk's eyes flash dangerously. In one fluid motion, he has me pinned against the wall, his body a solid wall of heat against mine. "Be careful what you ask for, sweetheart," he growls. "I might not be so gentle next time."

The threat—or is it a promise?—sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine. "Who says I want gentle?"

Hawk's laugh is dark and full of promise. "Oh, Devin," he murmurs, lips brushing against my ear. "The things I'm going to do to you..."

I arch against him, craving more contact. But a small part of my brain, the part not consumed by desire, reminds me of the danger we're in. Of Viktor's words, of the looming threat.

"Wait," I gasp, pushing against Hawk's chest. "There's something you need to know."

Hawk pulls back slightly, concern mingling with the lust in his eyes. "What is it?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Viktor. He's planning something. I... I overheard a conversation."

Hawk's expression hardens, the predator returning. "Tell me everything."

As I recount Viktor's words, leaving out the details of how I obtained this information, I watch Hawk's mind shift into strategic mode. It's mesmerizing, seeing him switch from lover to commander in an instant.

"We'll handle Viktor," Hawk says once I've finished, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Together."

The word sends a thrill through me. Together. It's dangerous, this connection between us. But God help me, I crave it.

Before I can respond, he's kissing me again, softer this time but no less intense. When we part, I'm breathless.

"Now," Hawk says, a wicked glint in his eye, "where were we?"