jennie_kim_7057

When Special Agent Celeste Carter goes undercover to infiltrate the deadly DeLuca crime syndicate, she never expects to find herself drawn to the enigmatic and dangerous Adrian Russo—the heir to the empire she’s sworn to take down. As she gains his trust, their game of cat and mouse turns into something far more dangerous: an undeniable connection neither of them can ignore. But when a shocking revelation shakes the foundation of everything they believed, Celeste and Adrian must choose between duty and desire, loyalty and betrayal—before the truth destroys them both.

Empires of Lies

Some monsters don't hide in the dark; they wear a mask of control.

The air inside the warehouse was thick with the scent of sweat, blood, and gasoline. I stood rigid, arms crossed, my gaze locked on the man tied to the chair. The flickering overhead light cast long shadows against the concrete walls, creating an eerie glow over Adrian as he circled his prey.

I had witnessed brutality before. I was trained for it, studied the darkest corners of the criminal underworld, yet watching Adrian Russo in his element was something else entirely. He wasn't just interrogating this man—he was hunting him.

The traitor whimpered, eyes darting between Adrian and me,desperate for an ounce of mercy. He wasn't going to find it.

Adrian crouched beside him, voice smooth but lethal. "Who paid you? Who do you work for?"

"I—I don't know his name," the man stammered, sweat glistening on his brow. "They contacted me through an untraceable number. Said if I didn't cooperate, my family—"

Adrian sighed, standing. "Pathetic. You think loyalty is a choice? You think fear is an excuse?"

He glanced at me. "Tell me, Ogonëk, do you believe in second chances?"

I tilted my head, voice neutral. "Depends. Are you feeling generous?"

The gunshot was sudden. The traitor slumped forward, lifeless.

I inhaled sharply but gave nothing away. Adrian was watching me, reading my reaction. Testing me. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction he needs.

The drive back was thick with silence. I stared out of the window, replaying the moment over and over. The way he had looked at me. As if he was waiting for me to flinch.

I turned to him. "Do you always kill so easily?"

He glanced at me, smirking. "Only when necessary."

The car slowed as we neared the estate. Before I could step out, Adrian reached over, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Careful, Ogonëk. If you stay too long, you might start liking it."

I swallowed hard. I didn't move. I didn't know if I wanted to.

His fingers lingered a second longer than necessary, the heat of his touch branding my skin. My pulse quickened, and I hated that he noticed. His smirk deepened.

I finally turned away, gripping the door handle. But before I could push it open, his voice stopped me.

"Tell me something, Ogonëk," he mused, his voice low, teasing. "Do you think I scare you?"

I turned back to him, my gaze unwavering. "No. I think you intrigue me. And that's far more dangerous."

A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. He leaned in slightly, enough that I could smell the faint trace of mint and whiskey on his breath. "Then we have a problem, don't we?"

I didn't break eye contact. "Maybe."

Adrian let out a low chuckle, the sound vibrating between us. "I enjoy problems, Celeste. But only when I get to solve them."

With that, he finally leaned back, giving me space for some unkown reasons the space felt wrong. But the intensity between us remained, thick and unspoken.

"Goodnight, Celeste," he murmured, voice softer this time.

I stepped out, my heart pounding. I have played many games before.

But with Adrian Russo? I might just lose.

Beneath the Surface