I run my fingers through the long, dark waves that cascade over my bare shoulders. My eyes are shadowed and thickly lined, and my puckered, dark red lips pop against my skin. I take a deep breath and smooth down the front of my dress. Okay, dress is an understatement. It looks more like a long bathing suit that definitely won’t cover my ass if I bend over. Actually, I’m not sure it covers it when I’m standing, either.

I stare at my reflection. I look ready to take a long stroll down Hollywood Boulevard, but tonight isn’t about putting on a show for the masses. It’s about grabbing the attention of one person who is slipping through my fingers more and more with each passing day.

He won’t come to me, so tonight, I’m going to him.

I secure the wig with a few more bobby pins and slip my feet into shoes that should be designated as illegal weapons since I could literally slice through someone’s chest with the spiky heels.

I just want Nico back, the way he was before he pulled that trigger, the way he was when we were just sneaking around. The way he was when we were happy.

It didn’t last for too long, but it was perfect.

I need that perfection back, and it all starts tonight. I have to grab control of this spiraling situation before it’s too late. I have to be the strong one right now…for both of our sakes.

I grab my clutch bag and take a few tentative steps into the hallway of my parents’ house. Luckily, Max is already at the club, and Mom and Dad are out. Nobody will be around to witness my slutty transformation, and that’s a damn good thing since this dress really doesn’t leave much to the imagination. It could, in fact, get me thrown in jail.

I dip my head low as I push open the front door and pull it closed behind me. I don’t need anyone seeing me loitering here. I look like a freaking prostitute, albeit a high-priced one.

My heart thumps in my chest as I take quick, tiny steps toward my car. Short, sharp pants escape my lips. The thought of taking a deep breath would be laughable if I could squeeze one out. I’m wrapped so tight in this pleather-spandex fabric mix, I’m surprised my eyeballs haven’t popped out of my head from the pressure.

Somehow, I slide into the driver’s seat of my Infinity RS50. I pull off one heel, slip on a flip flop, and press the button to start the ignition since I can’t very well drive in stilts. I know what I’m doing. I know where I’m going. I just don’t have any fucking clue what to expect when I get there.

I’ve been warned more times than I can count to stay far away from Culaccino, Nico’s very exclusive, very mysterious club in downtown Manhattan, and I’ve listened. For the most part, anyway. Curiosity had grabbed hold on occasion, and yeah, there were times I’d take a drive into the meat-packing district while I was still mooning over Nico—the manwhore version of my boyfriend from long ago.

Nico, my parents, Max…they’d all skin me alive if they knew where I was headed, and in this glorified bathing suit, of all things.

I don’t care. I’m desperate. Desperate for Nico and for us to go back to the way things were before that night.

That’s why I’m in disguise. Nobody will know I’m there until I want them to.

It’s a perfect plan meant to rekindle what Nico and I have been missing for the past four months. It’s not just the sex…it’s everything else. He can fuck me six ways from Sunday, and it’s always incredible. Physically.

But our connection has been broken for too long, and tonight, I’m going to repair it.

I drive past the club entrance. The street is dark and narrow, and there are only a few dimly lit awnings. It’s understated, at least from the outside.

I can only guess what goes on inside, of course, because nobody tells me anything. Everyone wants to protect Shaye, but they don’t realize that Shaye is a big girl with an even bigger plan.

I pull around a corner and find an empty spot. It’s tight as hell, but I manage to squeeze my car into it with some room in the front and back. Miraculous. I normally suck at parallel parking, so the stars must be aligned for me. I’ll take it as a positive sign.

My spikes click on the pavement as I approach the club. I nibble at my nail and scour the small groups of people gathering in front of the roped-off area. There is no sign of paparazzi lurking in the shadows, desperate to snap an incriminating photo. Judging by the line of high-end cars parked in the street, it looks like the club’s regular millionaire clientele, not the Hollywood elite crowd. I slip into a group of women dressed like me. Jesus, there’s a lot of coochie on display tonight. My pulse throbs as I lower my head and follow them in once the door attendant waves us inside. A blonde in front of me flips her hair over her shoulder, strands landing in my thick lip gloss. I sputter as quietly as I can and manage to detach it from my lips before she can turn around.

Straight through the entranceway is a hallway that leads to what looks and sounds like a dance club. But there’s another roped-off area to the left leading in a different direction. Downstairs. Into the underbelly. My gut tells me that’s where I want to be. I twist around in the darkened entryway, squinting at the women in front of me. They all move forward toward a staircase lit only along the floor. Beefy security-type guys don’t let everyone through, though. They pull aside only a select few women and men, me included. Everyone else is waved to the main club area. Everything is black. I can’t see six inches in front of me. I feel bodies moving against me, urging me forward. Low voices rumble through me and large hands slide over my hips and ass. My throat tightens. Shit, what the hell did I just walk into? What kind of club is this, anyway?

“Stay close to the side.” A low voice whispers against my hair, and a single chill slides down my spine. “Otherwise you’ll get trampled by the freaks.”

I nod, but don’t dare to utter a reply. I have no idea who is behind me or what he wants. No, scratch that. I know exactly what he wants, but there’s no fucking way I’m going to give him any sign of encouragement. I pull my skirt down as far as it will go, which is really not saying much.

Oh, God, what the hell am I doing here?

“You’ve never been here before, have you?” The voice murmurs against my ear again as we move closer to the stairs, and panic grips me. I reach out for the hand rail and take one tentative step into the dungeon of this…this…place.

I nod, still refusing to respond, still facing forward, moving even closer to the blonde woman with all the hair. I’d gladly eat every strand if it meant I can get away from this jerkoff behind me. I don’t know if they were his hands all over my ass or someone else’s, but I want to stay far, far away from wandering fingers.

“Don’t be nervous. Once we get downstairs, you’ll see how much fun it can be.” Fingertips trail my arm and the hairs immediately stand on end. I yank it away as if I’ve been stung by an angry wasp. A gravelly laugh vibrates against my neck, and I clutch the railing. Christ, could we move any slower? I just want to separate myself from this asshole and find Nico.

Not my brightest idea, although my plan was to remain undetected.

So far none of Nico’s thug bouncers have picked me out of the crowd, although how could they in this freaking pitch blackness? Besides, my disguise is foolproof!

I can still feel the guy’s hot breath on my skin. I didn’t acknowledge his innuendo, yet he’s still glued to my back. Fuck. I need to break away as soon as I get a clear path. My foot finally hits the bottom step and the crowd spills into a dim corridor illuminated only by red and purple strobe lights. The pulsating electronic dance beats vibrate the floor beneath my feet, making my escape that much harder. I manage to sidestep the woman in front of me, attempting to evade my stalker. I back away from the crowd, twisting away to gather my bearings. My foot slams into something hard and a loud moan makes me jump about two feet into the air. I let out a yelp, ready to apologize and my jaw drops to the floor, right about where my eyes landed a split second earlier.

Two naked, sweaty, writhing bodies are entwined at my feet. And I seriously fucking doubt they felt the hard spike of my heel. Judging by their grunts and groans, they are completely unfazed by anything and everything around them. Jesus, this place is like PornHub, up close and very freaking personal. I swallow a gasp, trying like hell to peel my eyes off of them, but I can’t. For as shocked at what I’m seeing right now, I’m equally turned on. Heat pools between my legs, and my knees buckle enough that I need to back against the wall next to them as I continue to watch. Beads of perspiration pop up along the back of my neck, and I bring a hand to my heaving chest, dragging my fingertips down into my—

My fingers freeze. Holy cow! What in the hell am I doing? This is a freaking sex den! Am I going to start feeling myself up out here? For these strangers?

I yank my gaze away from the people on the floor and look for something, anything to keep my attention off the man who is now fucking his playmate in the ass. Right out in the open!

I wobble slightly in my heels, squinting as I walk farther down the hallway. This place kind of reminds me of the Halloween parade in the West Village, except way raunchier. And with more nudity. More moans and mewls surround me, and I step around the bodies contorted on the carpet at my feet. Nobody is watching me, but I’m fucking watching all of them, including the people who are viewing this sex fest. Some guys are jerking themselves off, some women are sucking the men off. People are topless, pantless, or completely naked. The area farther down the hallway is blanketed in black lights, which makes this whole scenario that much more taboo.

I’ve never felt so turned on in my life.

And I’ve never felt so much like a bad girl…a bad girl in need of a spanking.

I clutch the sides of my head. Jesus, Shaye! Remember why you’re here! Get a fucking hold of yourself and find your boyfriend!

“A little too much too soon for you?”

I spin around, clutching the wall as I lose balance for what seems like the millionth time tonight. “I, uh…”

The man from the staircase smirks at me in the darkness. I recognize his gravelly voice, the one that was plastered against my ear not too long ago. Dammit, I thought I’d lost him.

He shifts slightly in the shadows, and my throat tightens like it’s caught in a vise. Those eyes…they blare with a five-alarm warning to run the fuck away as fast as possible. Sinister black beads that scream malice stare back at me. Longish, dark hair falls over one eye as he leans against the opposite wall. “You look like you’ll fit right in here.” He straightens up and slowly walks toward me. A swirl of a heady musk scent assaults my nostrils. “If you have the right partner to show you the ropes.”

“I-I…” Shit! If I didn’t want the right partner, I wouldn’t be here, would I? This guy makes my skin crawl, and it’s more than just his leer. If I back away any farther, I’ll end up tripping over a woman who just appeared wearing large white bunny ears and pasties. Nothing else, mind you. That’s the extent of her costume.

He creeps closer toward me, sidestepping the show in his path. My heart thuds, the pounding sound reverberating between my ears. These heels may make me look the part, but they sure make it hard to move. The scent of carnal sex infiltrates my senses, and my head is woozy from the pure lust exhibited by these people. I should have had a shot of vodka before coming down here…or ten.

My eyes dart left and right. Where the fuck is Nico?

“The first time is always the hardest.”

Oh my God, this guy is just relentless. I force a smile and flip my fake, dark hair over my shoulder. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m just fine.”

“You are.” He folds his arms over his broad chest, his menacing dark eyes narrowed. “Maybe the next time we see each other you’ll be a little more willing to try things.”

My spine stiffens, and I puff out my chest. Fuck him if he thinks I’ll cower. “I’m sure I will be, just with someone else.” I flash a toothy grin and try my luck at stepping over a dom whipping her naked sub. Jesus, there’s nothing that’s not being done down here…what the hell have I stepped into?

I’d thought Nico wanted to keep me away from here because of the drugs and the guns. I had no idea he was running an underground sex den. And truth be told, I still can’t decide if I’m more horrified, shocked, or turned on by what is quite literally coming before my eyes.

I navigate the thick carpet in my heels, trying to avoid any grooves and costumed bodies in the midst of their respective sex shows. Another chill slides down my back, and I can still feel the guy’s eyes on me. Once I round the corner, I take a quick peek over my shoulder just to see if he’s still back by the staircase, but he’s gone. I let out an unsteady breath, again wondering why I couldn’t have just done the normal thing and gone to Victoria’s Secret for some new lingerie to spark the flames instead of showing up here…instead of sparking flames, I literally jumped into the fire with this plan of mine.

I slink into a corner, just outside of a room where two masked men are fucking a woman. They’re double-teaming her, right in the open, with about ten people watching, moaning, flicking their beans, and stroking their cocks. My mouth falls open, and I hate to admit it, but everything on my body is currently tingling…and I mean everything. These are the most erotic scenes I have ever seen in my life, and while my mind tells me I should be appalled, my body screams ‘fuck me now!’ Yet, the only one I want to be fucking is Nico and I can’t seem to find him anywhere.

The people around me who aren’t yet undressed are shedding layers faster than these guys can pump their dicks into the women sandwiched between them. A hand grazes the small of my back, but I ignore it because I’m just too damn entranced by what’s going on in front of me. Top guy is pounding into the woman, his mouth working both of her fake tits…yes, so fake…and bottom guy slides in and out of her ass, his mouth assaulting her neck. And the screams coming from her mouth…the cries to God, who most certainly is appalled, by the way…the pleas to fuck her harder…it all makes me want to strip out of this dress and start finger-fucking myself.

Oh Lord, am I a bad girl? I can’t even say it’s Nico’s fault, either. This is all me.

I bite down on my lower lip, debating about whether or not I should inconspicuously slide a finger up the side of my skirt. The music pulsates, adding to the erotic aura of this taboo scene. I am so consumed with lust I can barely breathe. Talk about complete sensory overload. The colored lights, the pounding beats, every accidental nudge by someone angling to get a closer look at the raunchy, but so very enticing scene that is playing out before them…God, I need to get laid.

Which brings me back to the reason why I’m here in the first place. I stumble backward, my heel catching on some guy’s shoe. I turn to mutter a quick ‘I’m sorry,’ but he’s so entranced with the girl getting fucked six ways from Sunday that I don’t even think he noticed I impaled his toe.

A large hand lands on the small of my back, steadying me. But before I can twist my body around to tell the owner of said hand to fuck off, the whole arm snakes its way around my waist, a strong chest pressing against my back. My spine stiffens at the foreign assault on my body, and the heat of his breath singes the back of my neck. But it’s not the stale stench of scotch that teases my nostrils.

It’s a much more familiar scent…one of my favorites, actually.

Watermelon Jolly Rancher.

Nico.

That motherfucker!

“You look tense. First time?” he murmurs against my ear.

Rage bubbles in my veins and my hand twitches at my side, aching to twist around and smack the shit out of him. But as much as I’d wanted to surprise him and rekindle our connection, I’m fighting the urge to pummel the crap out of him for trying to hit on me right now. A stranger, as far as he knows! My chest tightens. Is this his game? And Max? My rat ass brother must know what Nico has been up to, and yet he never said a goddamn word. Sonofabitch. They’re both dead to me.

I give a quick nod since I don’t want Nico to hear my voice. Yet. I am such an idiot! I swallow hard to find a golf ball-sized lump lodged in my throat. How could he? Jesus Christ, I knew there was some seedy shit that went on here, but I never imagined he’d be unfaithful.

I’m so fucking naïve!

He still hasn’t seen my face, but his grip tightens around my waist. “Come with me. I have a private room. Let me relax you.”

My eyes sting with tears, and I have to bite my lip to keep the expletives from exploding out of my mouth. I blink fast, staring up at the ceiling. If this is how he plays, better that I find out now before I’m too devastated by his betrayal.

Images of Nico in his elusive private room screwing random women with fake boobs and killer bodies rapidly wallpaper my mind as the seconds pass. The threads of my heart have already begun to unravel. Oh, crap. Who am I trying to kid? I’m already beyond devastation.

Christ, how much more pathetic can I be?

I spin around and peel his hand off my waist. “You are fucking disgusting!” I hiss, pushing past him and the rest of the onlookers who are much more interested in the threesome that has just become a full-on gang bang.

He grabs my wrist before I can navigate this damn carpet in these heels and flips me around so my back is against the wall. Electronica pounds with such force that I can barely make out his next words. “You want to make me work for it?” he growls at me. His hand reaches under my dress, sliding against my lace thong. “This pussy is dripping for me. I know you want it.”

I’d love to say I didn’t hear what he said. But I did. And I can’t unhear it.

I wiggle in his grasp, gritting my teeth. “Let me go, you scumbag!”

“Why are you struggling?” Nico’s lips curl into a sexy smirk as he leans farther into me. “Is that the kind of game you want to play tonight, Shaye? You missed my cock so much that you came here to find it?”

I gasp. “H-how did you know it was me?”

He runs a hand down the front of my dress, his breath hot against my skin. “You think I wouldn’t recognize this body?” His head dips lower, lips scorching a path down toward my breasts as his voice nuzzles my skin. “This neck, these hips, this ass…you think you could ever fool me? You really thought a wig would throw me off?”

I let out a deep sigh and throw my head back, giving him full access. He can peel me out of this dress right here and now, and I’d be just fine with it.

“I thought you were trying to hit on me,” I mumble.

“I was. Did it work?”

I narrow my eyes. “Maybe. Do you make appearances at all of the shows down here, or just the really sick and twisted ones?”

He leans forward, his lips grazing mine. “I think the more pressing question is why haven’t I seen that dress before?”

“Well, I was saving it for you. But since we never spend the night together anymore, I figured if I wanted you to see it, I needed to bring it to you at your ‘home away from home.’”

Nico pulls away, a conflicted expression shadowing his face. Even the strobe lights can’t eclipse that look. It’s the same look I’d seen that night he killed Cappodamo, the same look I see every now and then when he thinks I’m not paying attention.

But I am. Always.

“Come with me.” He pulls me out into the hallway of harems, sidestepping the crowd of gaping voyeurs and their entertainment. I try to keep up with his pace, but the heels make it impossible. Luckily, he turns a corner and pulls out a key from his pocket. He glances around, sticks the key into the door, and pushes it open.

A few candles are scattered around the room, so I can make out some key shapes, the most impressive being the large bed in the center of the space. But Nico doesn’t pull me over to it. He rests his hands on my shoulders and leans his forehead against mine.

“Why did you come here tonight, Shaye? It’s dangerous for you to be here. I told you to stay away.”

I shake my head. “I couldn’t,” I mutter. “Not anymore. Everything that’s happened…it’s taken a toll on you. On us. I just wanted…” I run my fingers through my hair. “Look, I need you, Nico. I want things to be the way they were before. I feel like I’m losing you, and I thought if I came here, we could…” I shrug and avert my eyes. “I don’t know. Find ourselves again? I know that probably sounds stupid, but I—”

His lips are plastered against mine before the rest of the jumbled thought can tumble from my lips. They’re hungry, passionate…almost desperate. His tongue plunders my eager mouth, coiling with mine. A lust-infused flame rages throughout my body, tingles shooting out to every extremity.

“God, I’ve missed this,” I murmur against his mouth, running my fingers through his thick hair. I press myself against him, taunting him with the fact that there is still a hell of a lot of fabric separating us. He must get my silent plea because I can feel his fingers toy with the zipper in the back of my dress. He lowers it slowly, exposing every inch of bare skin begging to be touched.

Like he means it, not like he’s doing it as an escape from everything plaguing him.

I know the difference, and tonight, I want the real thing.

He slides the shoulder straps off, pulling down the top so that my breasts are exposed, beckoning him to taste. “You’re fucking beautiful, Shaye,” he whispers. “Inside and out.” He dips his head, kneading one breast and taking the other into his mouth. I squeal as his tongue and teeth nibble at my nipple. They could slice through glass right now, they’re so hard. I lean my head back as he continues to feast, showing no signs of stopping. I fumble with his belt buckle and yank it open, attacking his pants next. I pull them open and slide them down to his feet, along with his boxers. His cock is long, thick, and hard in my grasp. My knees buckle at the thought of him inside of me and the sudden image of him fucking me in the den of sin in front of all of his ‘guests’ has me so fucking wet. I stroke him a few times and rub the head of his cock over my panties.

Nico lets out a loud groan. “No teasing. Those panties need to come off now.” He loops his fingers into the sides and slides them to my ankles. “And keep those shoes on. They’re hot as fuck.”

I manage to shimmy out of the dress and kick off the panties without losing my balance in these shoes, a pretty big accomplishment if I say so myself.

Nico stares at me, the glow emitted by the candles casting the dimmest light on his face. It’s enough for me to see the hunger in his gaze. He unbuttons his shirt, never averting his eyes. He strips off every inch of clothing, his movements slow and methodical, as they are with everything he does. He always has a purpose, a plan, and a strategy. I hope his strategy for tonight is to keep me coming because, Lord, do I ever need it after drinking in that whole erotic circus outside his door.

He inches closer to me, wrapping his arms around my quivering body, cupping my ass. His mouth crushes mine, his teeth nipping at my bottom lip. I let my legs fall open, my pussy screaming for attention. He grips his cock, teasing my slit with the swollen head. He slides it up and down my slick opening, and after a few seconds, I’m ready to scream out in the most delicious agony imaginable. How is he so controlled? How can he not just throw me down on the bed and fuck me into oblivion? Isn’t he a guy, for Pete’s sake?

I grab his hand and press it against me so his cock hits my clit. A gasp escapes my lips, followed by a loud moan. “Please, Nico. Don’t make me wait. I need this. I need you.”

“Always so impatient,” he whispers, his lips caressing the side of my neck, the exact area where my pulse is about to explode out of if he makes me wait another millisecond. He backs me toward the bed, reaching down to grab a condom from the drawer of a nearby table. I fall onto the mattress, sinking into the softest of furs. I run my hands over the smooth, glossy pelts covering the bed. The luxurious texture coupled with the hard body angling over me is enough to launch my senses into overdrive. He pushes my legs apart and runs his hands down the front of my chest before looping his arms around my knees and diving into the pool of lust and desire between my legs.

I thrust my hips into his greedy mouth as his tongue works my folds, teasing my clit before plunging in and out of my wet heat. God, the things this man can do with that deliciously devious tongue…

It swirls and swivels, the coiling heat igniting my core. His fingers dig into my flesh, pulling me closer until my lower body is off the mattress. I fist the furs, whimpers morphing into full-fledged cries for God. His thumb and forefinger work my clit, flicking and pressing until the explosion blasts out to every limb, paralyzing them with a euphoria so powerful, it renders me motionless. I don’t even want to blink because any movement might make this amazing sensation end.

And it can’t. Ever.

I won’t let it. I’ll do whatever I need to make sure I never lose it.

Never lose him.

Nico’s hot, wet lips drag across my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. His stubble-peppered face tickles the insides of my thighs and a jolt zips through me, making me giggle. “You are amazing. What you can do with that dirty mouth is so fucking amazing.”

He crawls up my body, his dark eyes boring into my soul. “Dirty mouth, huh?”

I nod, heat creeping up the sides of my face. “So dirty.”

“And you love it, so what does that say about you?”

“That I’m a very bad girl.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “Who needs to be punished in the best possible way. What do you think about that?”

A mischievous smirk lifts the corners of his mouth. “I think we need to get started. If you’ve been that bad, I need to teach you a lesson. A very fucking long lesson.”

My heart thuds against my chest as he pulls away, tearing open the foil package and rolling on the condom. I bite my lower lip, digging my fingers into his hips. “You’d better get started. I feel like the bad girl is ready to come out and play again. Are you gonna put her in her place or what?”

Nico leans into me, inhaling as his nose grazes my bare skin. He fingers one of my fake dark waves splayed across the fur. I shudder against his hard body, a smile teasing my lips. He’s totally with me in this moment, not even inside of me and yet I feel closer to him right now than I have in the past few months. The heat of his gaze singes my insides, the way it always has. Electricity crackles between us, pure energy hovering in the space between our lips. “I love you, Shaye. I always will, no matter what happens.”

And just like that, the spell is broken. Reality bitch slaps me, and my gut clenches.

That’s the one thing about our life. You feel, you feel, and you feel…until you feel no more.

You can prepare and plan and strategize, but in the end, there are no guarantees. Nico’s life is a very dangerous game, but he’s not the only competitor. And sometimes, even the strongest players will be crushed like cockroaches.

And there go all the feels.

He strokes the side of my face, studying me as if he wants to memorize each and every detail. He traces the slope of my nose, the arch of my brows, the apple of my cheeks. I blink fast to hold the tears at bay because I don’t want anything else to ruin this night.

He’s here with me now, and there’s nowhere else I’d ever want to be. These moments may be few and far between, but I’ll gather them and bury them deep in my heart where this love…our love…will live forever.

“Make love to me, Nico,” I whisper. “Please.”

I let out a gasp as he pushes into me, his thick cock stretching me like a glove. His thrusts are slow and deep, his hips rocking against me. I lock my ankles around him, urging him closer. My fingers press into his hips, keeping him cocooned inside of me. He swivels his hips, in the way that always drives me over the brink of sanity. He trails his hands down the side of my torso, caressing every inch of my overly stimulated body. Then he puts one finger in his mouth, reaches around and grasps my ass, squeezing one cheek and then the other before he grazes the tight ring of muscle between them. I let out a yelp as he inserts the finger. My pussy clenches immediately, and my body rockets to that place where only he can take me.

Sparks of euphoria ignite in my core. “Harder! Oh my God, Nico, fuck me harder!”

Nico pumps his cock deeper and harder, growling through his own orgasm. Rays of blinding white light flicker behind my eyelids and I can no longer see. Or think. Or hear. I can only feel. And it’s amazing.

Somewhere in the depths of my mind, I register a muffled creak and low voices. My eyes fly open and I gasp, clutching Nico’s waist.

“Jesus fucking Christ, Nico! What the hell…who in the motherfuck is that?” Max’s voice pierces the otherwise blissful sounds of our marathon sex session. He flips on the light switch and narrows his eyes. “You fucking bastard! I knew you could never keep your dick in your pants, you sonofabitch! What the fuck about my sister? I said I’d kill you if you fucked around on her!” He grabs a lamp from another table and, like a possessed and rabid predator, he lunges for Nico, lamp in hand and ready to strike.

“Max, stop!” I scream. “It’s me!”

He lands on top of Nico, the lamp about an inch away from bludgeoning the man I love.

I yank off my wig, bobby pins flying in all directions. “See? It’s me!”

Max’s eyes widen, and he covers his mouth as he gags. “Christ Almighty, not again. I don’t know what’s fucking worse. Seeing you fuck some random chick or seeing you nail my sister wearing a wig and fuck-me heels. The last time that shit gave me nightmares for months, you assholes!” He throws the lamp to the floor and rakes a hand through his hair. A quick glance at the door confirms that we have an audience. A tall blonde model-type is twisting her hands around, not sure where to look or what to say.

I crack a smile at her. “He’s not actually a complete lunatic.”

She grins and gives a little shrug. “We can’t all be perfect, right?”

“Dude, will you get the fuck off of me now?” Nico pushes Max away with his foot.

“I’m tired of seeing your ass, man.” Max jumps off the bed and grabs the girl by the wrist. “Let’s try to forget we ever saw any of that, okay?”

“I love you!” I call out.

He flips us off and slams the door shut.

My jaw drops. “Holy shit, can you believe he almost took you out for the second time?”

Nico scrubs a hand down his face and collapses on the bed next to me. “Your brother has some pretty fucking serious rage issues, you know that?”

I nod and lie on his chest, tucked under his neck. It’s the most comfortable spot in the entire world. “I guess I never have to worry about you cheating on me as long as good ol’ Max is around.”

“I know things have been strained lately, babe.” He cups my face with his hand. “But you never have to worry about anything with our relationship.”

I let out a sigh and trace the outline of his pec. “I worry about everything, Nico. I want you to be honest with me. I can handle it.”

“Is that why you came down here? To talk?”

“Well, yeah. But then I kind of got sidetracked with…” I wave my hand around. “…all of the action out there. I got caught up, and we never actually got to the talking part.” I roll off of him and lean on my elbows. “This place is unreal. We have to come back here again together. I really want to…you know, try some stuff.” Her cheeks turn pink and she flashes a devious smile at me. “Like, in public.”

“Really?” My cock thickens at the mere thought of her being turned on by this place.

“Yes. And soon.” She winks at me. “Hey, how did you find me down here, anyway?”

He smirks. “You really think you were just gonna waltz in here and fly under the radar?”

“So you really did spot me in the crowd?”

“Nah, I knew you were in here because I have a GPS tracker installed in that watch on your wrist.”

I stare down at my brand-new, diamond-encrusted Tag Heuer. “You put a tracker on me?”

His expression darkens again. “I can’t take the risk that you’ll be taken again. It’s my way of protecting you.”

“So that’s why you told me to wear it all the time?”

He nods. “Be pissed off at me if you want, but it’s only because I’m worried about your safety. If anything ever happened to you, I don’t know what I’d fucking do, Shaye. I’m desperate, okay? I need to keep you safe.”

I swallow hard and look down at my watch.

A loud ping makes me jump as I consider my next words.

Nico grabs his phone from the table. “Fuck,” he mutters.

“What is it?”

He looks up from the phone. “It’s Carlo Batta, one of my security guys. He’s dead.”

I stab Max’s phone number into the keypad of my phone then pull Shaye close while I wait for him to answer. I stroke the back of her head, biting back expletives that I will let fly as soon as she’s safe.

Somewhere. Anywhere but here.

“Yeah?”

“Max,” I growl. “Get in here now.”

“Dude, I’m balls deep in this chick. What the hell is so urgent?”

“Carlo is dead. Duke just found him out back. Get the fuck over here now.”

“Oh, shit.” I hear him mumble something to the girl he’s with, and a second later, he responds. “Give me five. I’ll be right there.”

Shaye’s shoulders quiver against me, and I wrap my arms around her, tossing the phone onto the bed. Her tears soak through my half-buttoned shirt, her hands clutching at my back. “Nico, I’m so scared. Who did this? Are they inside the club? Are they…are they…?”

I know the words she wants to ask, but doesn’t dare.

And the answer is…yes, they are coming for me.

But I keep that to myself. She already knows too much, has seen too much.

Where the fuck can I even send her? To my house? To her parents’ house? To my new place here in the city which less than a handful of people know about? I bought the place after everything happened because it’s off the radar, but I can’t hide it forever. And who the fuck knows how many guys Luca has in his back pocket? They could be camped out all over the tri-state area for all we know, ready to pounce.

Even though deep down, I know they aren’t. He wants me.

But he’ll take out whomever he can to send me a message just in case I missed his point with Carlo. And that would be fucking impossible to ignore. The image in Duke’s text made my gut clench. I knew Luca had been overseas doing some half-cocked MMA tour since he was kicked out of the World Fighting Alliance for illegal drug use, but what he did to Carlo…Jesus Christ. And I sure as hell know he didn’t use a weapon other than his fists.

MMA regulations in Southeast Asia, where he had been touring, are pretty lax, and from what I hear, they don’t do drug testing. So Luca spends most of his time in the ring hopped up on PCP, or whatever else he uses, so he can’t feel any pain.

He can only inflict it in the most brutal possible way.

I’ve also heard about his own personal mortality rate. If you climb into the ring with him, be prepared to stay there. Indefinitely. Or, if you’re lucky, you’ll only get wheeled out on a gurney and hooked up to a respirator.

That image was bad enough. It tells me exactly what I want to know…confirms exactly what I’ve been fearing.

Because I’m not a trained killer. I’m not a murderer. I’m not a fucking assassin.

I’m a guy who was trying to save his girlfriend from certain death. I killed Luca’s father. I did what I had to do to save the woman I love.

And now Luca is out for blood.

Sometimes I don’t even think he gives a shit that his dad is dead. He loves the kill, and he’ll take any excuse he can get to add another notch to his belt.

I don’t want to be a killer. I don’t want this life.

Sonofabitch.

There is no way out, Nico.

You have responsibilities.

Shaye squeezes her arms around my hips, sobbing like the world is about to end. And I can’t even fucking reassure her that when we step outside of this door, we’ll be safe.

Because the truth is, I just don’t know.

A loud knock makes me jump. “Yeah?” I call out.

“It’s me.” Max. Thank fuck.

“Only you?”

A second passes. “Yeah. Duke is waiting outside your office.”

I bend down and cup Shaye’s chin in my hand. “Babe, try to calm down a little. We’re fine.”

“But what if they’re out there? What if they’re just hiding until you open the door? What if—?”

“Shaye,” I whisper. “I promise, we’re fine.”

How many more fucking lies, Nico?

I stroke the back of her head. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She shakes her head, tears streaming down her face. Black eye makeup is streaked across her cheeks, but her wig is securely in place. There is no way I’m going to have her walking around this place without her disguise. I drape my jacket around her shoulders so she doesn’t look as much like a felony waiting to happen.

I drop a kiss on top of her head and cross the room with a few steps. I crack open the door and pull Max inside, shutting it tight and locking it behind us.

“Okay, what happened? Do we know who did it?”

I shake my head and rub the back of my neck. “I’m waiting to hear back from Duke.” I toss him my phone so he can see the damage done to Carlo in the back parking lot. One of the best things about this location was probably the worst one for Carlo. It’s dark and desolate behind the club, and the cops stay far away because I pay them to do just that. Nobody would have seen or heard anything, and the only way he’d have been found was if someone went outside for a smoke.

And that’s exactly what happened.

“Holy fuck,” Max mutters. “Where is he now?”

“Max, I don’t fucking know anything!” I let out a deep sigh and slap my hands on my pants. Christ, I can’t lose my shit right now. Not in front of Shaye. Not in front of anyone.

Max furrows his brow at me, his lips stretched into a tight line. “Relax. We’ll figure it all out.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I button the front of my shirt and slip on my shoes, avoiding Shaye’s tearful stare. Keep it together, asshole. If not for you, then for her.

He tosses my phone back to me and I dial another number, one that seems to be on speed dial for me lately. “Doc? Yeah, it’s me. I need you down here. Yesterday.”

“I’ll leave now.”

Click.

I look up and meet Shaye’s gaze. I kneel down on the carpet in front of her, lacing my fingers with hers. “Babe, we need to go.”

She nods, her hands shaking in my grasp. “O-okay.” I pull her to her feet, steadying her in her heels.

“Where are you taking her? She’s not leaving.” Max shakes his head. “She needs to be here with us. She’ll be protected if we’re all around her.”

I cup her quivering chin and look into her eyes. The fear, the panic, the terror…fuck, this is all on me. “We’re going to my office. She can stay there until we take care of this. It’ll give me time to figure out what to do next.”

Shaye clutches the jacket around her shoulders, and I look over at her. “Stay close to me. Don’t look at anyone, understand?”

She nods, and I open the door, scanning the hallway, seeing nothing that would make me raise an eyebrow. My guests are very occupied at this moment, in some capacity or other. Getting off is their primary goal for the night. I grasp Shaye’s hand and pull her close, Max following close behind. We snake our way through the crowd in the direction of my private elevator when a hand grabs my shoulder.

I stop short and take a deep breath before turning toward the owner of that hand. A deep scowl settles into my face as I make my move. Jackson Brody, a cocksucker of a real estate investor, smirks at me.

“Salesi. I need a meeting.”

I cock an eyebrow and shrug off his hand. “You know what to do.”

“I’m tired of talking to your bitch secretary. I’ve got a deal that—”

Rage bubbles in my chest and in a few seconds, I’m gonna let it erupt the fuck out of me. Brody, beware. I drop Shaye’s hand and push into Jackson’s chest, hissing just like the snake he is. “Don’t fucking touch me, Brody. I don’t talk business down here or anywhere in public, for that matter. You have something for me? Get a fucking meeting on my calendar. And if you see me again before that happens, walk in the other fucking direction.”

I can actually see Jackson’s Adam’s apple bob in his throat. I like to think I’m pretty civil when people approach me, but tonight is a very fucking bad night, and I have zero tolerance for shitheads like Jackson Brody right now.

He manages a weak smile and nods, backing away from me. It’s only then that I notice a petite redhead standing next to him. Dipshit is probably trying to nail her and figured if he could get a reaction out of me, he’d have her on her back before the night is over.

Too bad for him the reaction he got isn’t the one that’s gonna get him laid.

“Dude, calm the fuck down,” Max grumbles as I pull Shaye past Brody around the corner toward the elevator.

I stab at the Up button and turn the key into the lock since it’s my own private one. Nobody enters unless I’m along for the ride.

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” I growl, stepping into the elevator once the door opens. My throat is tight, and I can barely squeeze out the words. Sweat beads pop up along the back of my neck. I have no idea what to expect once we get off this elevator. I have no idea what to expect once we leave the club tonight. And I have no fucking idea how to make this okay for Shaye.

“He drops a shit ton of cash here, Nico.”

“I don’t need his money,” I grumble, cracking my knuckles one at a time. It’s a bad fucking habit, one I really need to drop once I’m stress-free.

Which will be never, so I guess I’m destined for arthritis—that is, if I live long enough.

“You can’t treat clients like that because you’re having a bad night.”

“You’re telling me not to lose my shit?”

“Yep. I’m trying to do my fucking job, asshole. That includes keeping the guests happy.”

I shake my head. I’m in the Twilight Zone.

The elevator creeps up to the second floor, and thoughts rattle my brain as the seconds tick past. I haven’t told anyone my suspicions yet about Luca being the killer. I wonder how long it’s going to take for them to realize what…or rather, who…we’re dealing with.

I can see Max studying me out of the corner of my eye, but I won’t meet his questioning gaze. I don’t want to encourage him. I’ve said plenty already. Let him figure it the fuck out from here. And I don’t want to answer any questions in front of Shaye. I hope he keeps his mouth shut until I can get her into my office and away from the reality that has become my fucking life.

Ding!

The doors open, and I poke my head out, saying a silent prayer just before my eyes dart up and down the darkened hallway. I don’t see anyone, so I walk out, pulling Shaye behind me. I unlock my office, push her inside, and point at Max while I grab my gun from the top drawer. “Stay here. Don’t open the door for anyone. Wait for me, understand?”

He nods and shuts the door. I hear the lock flip, and I turn on my heel in the direction of a nearby private staircase. No elevator leads to the back entrance of the club. This area of Culaccino is always on lockdown. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I round a corner and jog down the steps. My hand slides over the gun tucked into the back of my pants, and I take a deep breath before pushing open the back door.

I peer around the parking lot and spot Duke hunched over a motionless Carlo next to the dumpster. Rocco is kneeling next to him, his head lowered.

“What the fuck happened?” I growl, running over to them.

Duke runs a hand over his shiny bald head and lets out a deep sigh. “I came out for a smoke and found him laying here. Nico…” He lifts one of Carlo’s arms. “This wasn’t just a fucking beating. Someone crushed his bones. This wasn’t done with a weapon. This shit was done by hand.”

Brutalized. The guy was fucking decimated. His limbs are twisted like noodles, his chest smashed in, his neck…Christ, someone punched right through his goddamn throat.

I fall to the ground next to my guys. “Did you ask around? Did anyone see anything? What about the security cameras?”

Duke shakes his head. “I checked the feeds. Nothing.”

“How the hell is that possible? One of the cameras shows this parking lot. How come we didn’t catch who did this?”

Duke shrugs, not able to formulate a scenario that would make this shit-show possible, and rubs the back of his neck. I know he and Carlo were close, and this has to be torture for him to see. He doesn’t need me shitting on him right now, but the panic twisting my gut makes me anxious for any information I can yank out of him.

I sit back on my heels and fold my fingers together, trying like hell to pull myself together. “Okay, the doc is on his way. We have to take care of this quickly and quietly.”

“What about his old lady?” Rocco looks up. “What are you gonna tell her?”

“I’ll tell her,” Duke says, still staring down at his friend. “I’ll take care of it. Right after Doc takes care of him.”

I clap him on the arm. “I’m coming with you. In the meantime, let’s get him inside. We’ll wait for the doc in there.”

It takes a few attempts, but we manage to hoist Carlo up and carry him into an empty room right inside the club. There are a few spare areas we use for private meetings. We lay his bloody body on the floor in the center of the room, and I turn to Rocco. “Come with me. Now. Duke, I’ll be back.”

Duke nods, sinking into a chair next to Carlo. “Okay. I’ll wait.”

“I’ve never seen him look so human before,” Rocco mutters once we get back into the hallway.

“He just lost a good friend in probably the worst possible way, and he couldn’t do anything to stop it.” A sharp pang in my chest makes me wince. Great, because all I need is to have a fucking panic attack right now. I crack my knuckles again as we walk, my voice dropping. “This is just the beginning, Rocco.”

He nods. “I know. This stinks of Luca Cappodamo. He’s back, and he wants revenge. And the guy is as sick as they fucking come. He was out in California at the same time I was, you know, after your grandfather kicked my ass outta Jersey a few years ago. I’d heard he was doing some amateur shit since he was booted from the WFA for being hopped up on PCP for all of his fights. Dude, you have no idea what he did to those poor fuckers. He takes that shit so he doesn’t feel. He thinks it makes him invincible. He’s a twisted bastard, and if you’re next, man…” Rocco shakes his head and lets out a whistle. “You’re fucked. I hate to say it, but—”

“Screw you, Rocco.” I grit my teeth. “I can handle myself just fine.”

Rocco snorts. “Why? Because you gunned down his old man? Once? You really think that’s gonna help you? What if he goes after Shaye? Or your mom? Or Lily?”

“He won’t. It’s not how he operates.” I know that better than anyone. I’ve seen his MO in action. If you fuck with him, he fucks you up. But only after he sends you a message that he’s coming. And if you get that message, read it, put your head between your legs, and kiss your ass goodbye.

I got my message. I know he’s coming. But kissing my own ass goodbye isn’t an option. I need to change the game, but time isn’t on my side. And Shaye’s dad Tony is already on the shit list of the Cappodamo family since he screwed them on a business deal awhile back. His guys know about us. And they’ll feed Luca whatever information he needs to get his revenge, including my girlfriend.

I can’t take that risk.

“So you think you can analyze him to death, Mr. CEO? Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with, Nico? This guy is a lunatic. Certifiable, for Christ’s sake. He only knows how to destroy. He doesn’t understand the talking thing.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, but what I really need you to do is watch over Shaye for me.”

His mouth drops open. “So this is a promotion, yeah? To babysitter? Why can’t I be on the fuck ’em up team?”

“Because I need someone I trust watching out for her. If I end up in another warehouse in Bayonne, it won’t end as well as it did last time for us. Lightning doesn’t strike twice. I need to keep her safe and keep running shit here. I can’t let things fall apart. That’s what he wants. I won’t give that to him.”

“And you think he’s doing all of this…and using his dad as an excuse…just to get you back for—"

I hold up a hand. “If I had to guess, yeah. But the reason why he’s here doesn’t matter. It only matters that he is here. He’s finally come home, so now it’s time to settle up. He’s gonna pay. Not only for Carlo, but for everything else he’s done.”

And fuck, I remember it all…screams that could shatter glass, the sickly sound of fists connecting with bone, the wailing sirens, and the blood…all of the fucking blood.

My gut clenches as an image of Shaye’s tear-streaked face floats in front of my narrowed eyes, short, sharp breaths slicing into my lungs.

I can’t let what he did happen again. I won’t.

“Crushed windpipe, compound fractures to the ribcage, left and right forearms, dislocated shoulder, and based on the level of damage I can assess to his skull, I’d say there is clear evidence of a cerebral hemorrhage.” Doc lets out a sigh and turns toward me and Duke. “He took quite a beating. Any idea who did it?”

I walk toward the portable table where Carlo lies—motionless, bloody, and bruised. “No eyewitnesses,” I reply, avoiding the question. I know the answer, but without real proof… I rake a hand through my hair, averting my eyes from Carlo’s swollen, blueish-gray face.

How the fuck can I look Carlo’s wife in the eye and tell her I don’t know who did this to her husband? How I let the love of her life get pummeled by the hand of some sick bastard? How I could put him on the radar like some selfish asshole who couldn’t do his own dirty work? How I let him walk into the lion’s den with a fucking raw steak, knowing he’d be mauled before he got the chance to drop it?

“Does his family know?” Doc pulls off his latex gloves and tosses them into a nearby trash can.

“We’re going to his house now.” I rub the back of my neck, but the knot that has taken up residence there refuses to move. I glance at Carlo. I’d say it could be worse, but who the fuck am I kidding? It will be much fucking worse, sooner than later.

I bend down to pick up Carlo’s jacket and a folded-up piece of paper falls out of the inside pocket. I grab it before it hits the floor, and I stuff it into my back pocket before the other guys can see it. I don’t know why, I can’t explain it. But my gut tells me it was meant for my eyes only.

Duke rises from the couch in the corner of the room. “Thanks, Doc.”

Doc nods, a somber expression on his face. “Carlo was a good man. A loyal man. He didn’t deserve this.”

No, he fucking didn’t. Wrong, place, wrong time, wrong all the fuck around.

“Doc, do you need anything else, or can you handle it from here?”

Doc scrubs a hand down the front of his face. “I’ll take care of it and make the arrangements tomorrow. We should have everything squared away in a day or so.”

“Thanks. Keep this off the radar, Doc. I don’t want it to leak yet.” I clap him on the back and nod at Duke. “Get the car. I have to make a call before we leave.”

I follow Duke out of the room and watch as he exits the club. I pull out my phone and shoot off a quick text to Rocco.

Take Shaye to my place in the Village. I’ll call and let them know you’re coming. Whatever you do, keep her out of Jersey.

Luca will expect her to be at my house. He won’t think about staking out my apartment here in the city, mainly because I just bought it, few people know about it, and it’s protected by armed guards. A second later, my phone pings with a reply.

What about the club?

I stab the keyboard and click send. Let Max close tonight. Tell him you’re taking her to my house in Jersey.

Why?

Just fucking do as I say. And tell Max to keep this quiet.

I can’t fucking trust anyone anymore, not even my best friend. Rocco took a bullet for me the night I popped Cappodamo. He went head to head with that asshole for me. That earned him a lot of fucking respect.

But Max…he’s a loose cannon. I never know what he’s gonna say or do. And he’s always looking to climb the ranks and stomp on whoever gets in his way. I can’t take a chance that he’ll open his big-ass mouth to the wrong person…that person being his asshole father, Tony.

And I don’t want Tony involved. Yet. Even though it’s his daughter who’s in the line of fire.

No, I need answers first. In the meantime, I have to keep this shit on lockdown.

I pull the piece of paper from my pocket and unfold it. My pulse throbs against my throat as my eyes read the words scribbled on the paper, carelessly torn from a spiral notebook. An icy sensation blasts through my veins, frosting my insides.

You dumb fuck. So desperate to get pictures of me for your boss, huh? I bet they came out better than the ones I just took of you, cocksucker.